'Called to the Principal’s Office' series celebrates principals
(EL PASO INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT – Oct. 31, 2022) – Community Engagement concludes its “Called to the Principal’s Office” series today with two El Paso ISD principals who as recently as last year led the schools they attended in high school and elementary school.
Principal Michelle Corral is the last principal of Clardy Elementary before it consolidated with Henderson Middle School to become Tinajero PK-8 this school year. Although she’s now the principal at Douglass Elementary, Clardy will remain forever in her heart.
“When I found out that I was named principal for Clardy, I was shaking and trembling because I was overwhelmed with joy and excitement. I had a great sense of pride, a sense of accomplishment, and a great sense of commitment to my school,” Corral said. “Being the principal at Clardy Elementary brought the realization of the responsibility I had to the children in the community I am from, and I wanted to make sure that there was never a day that I didn't give my best.”
The Jefferson grad, who attended Clardy in the 1980s, has deep roots in the community and will continue to cheer on the Jefferson Silver Foxes.
“It’s where it all started for me, the foundation that built my toughness, tenacity, dedication, loyalty, work ethic, and resiliency,” she said. “I will forever be thankful for the great experience and opportunities I had at Clardy, both as a child and as their proud principal.
Ragen Chappell, a 1995 graduate of Irvin High School, has been the principal of her alma mater until the spring. She returned to Chapin this summer where she had previously served as an assistant principal and magnet coordinator.
“It was an honor to serve the school that helped me to be who I am today,” Chappell said. “It was fun to see faculty and staff that are still at Irvin 25 years later.”
Chappell attended Whitaker Elementary and Canyon Hills Middle School before heading to Irvin for high school. She played basketball and ran track and was in StuCo, senior leadership and National Honor Society.
“I am proud to be a product of the Irvin feeder pattern.”
Click here to see the entire “Called to the Principal’s Office” series.