Mrs. Carlile Interview

Mrs. Carlile is the new high school principal for New Home ISD. Read the following interview to get to know more about her and her goals for our school district. 

How do you feel about stepping into New Home?
I feel super excited. This is a very different position than what I came from. I'm coming from a really big 5A campus with 1,800 kids. So this is such a nice change. Instantly, it felt like I was welcomed, and I just know this is where I'm supposed to be. 

What is your vision for this school over the next few years?

 Great question. Number one, I don't want to change anything that isn't broken. Y'all have been very successful in the past, and so I want to keep those things alive that are working to help you guys be successful. I always think there's opportunity for growth. I'm visiting classrooms and looking at the teaching and learning that's going on. I'm looking for ways that I can bring in new ideas so that we can continue to grow you guys.

 What are your top three goals for the next school year? 

 To get to know everybody. That's the whole point of this year. I want to come in and make connections with both staff and students. I feel like I'm getting there with staff for sure and now I'm ready to start learning kids' names and being able to call everybody by their 1st name and greet them in the hallway. So, Connections. 

I think what we just talked about, I think academic growth is even though you guys, again, are super successful. I'm looking for ways that we can build you up. 

I want to make sure that we are providing all of the opportunities that you guys want. So we're looking at offering some different options next year. Some new classes. I don't want to reveal what those are yet, but just any way that we can to give you guys as many opportunities as possible. 

How would you describe your leadership style?

 I am very much a relational leader. Before I became an administrator I was a school counselor, and I think that plays into it. For me, it's all about building good relationships with people, and that's the foundation for everything. So it's just making those connections and getting to know people. 

What's your favorite way to spend your weekend? 

I like the weather to be nice, so this weekend was perfect for that. My husband and I like to go camping. So when the weather's nice, we have a camper and we'll pull it out to the lake and sit around a campfire.

Do you have a favorite family tradition? 

Nothing pops into my head immediately, but I'm just gonna say celebrations. We're not a family who sees each other all the time, but when it's a birthday, Thanksgiving, or Christmas, we definitely make time to come together. And so those times are always really special.

 What's your favorite concert you've ever been to? 

Taylor Swift. I got to see the Era's tour in Denver, and it was magical. I'll never forget it. 

Who has been the most influential person in your life?

I'm gonna say my husband. Just because he has always been such a strong supporter of me. Sometimes changes are scary. So my instinct is to go, * shudders * I'm not sure if I'm ready for that. He's always behind me saying, yes, you're ready. You have what it takes. Go fight for that. So I think without him, I might not be where I am today. 

What's your biggest pet peeve? 

I am all about being responsible, and for me as an adult, I think it's a good thing to learn as a kid. That means keeping up with a calendar to know when you're supposed to be at meetings. Or if there's an email that needs responding to. Those things matter to me. So my pet peeve is when there's somebody who doesn't show up on time, misses a meeting, or fails to respond to an email. I just think the little things like that matter. 

What's your favorite thing in your office, and why?

Well this picture was here, the leopard picture, when I came here. At first, I was like well I'll take it down. But then as I started moving everything in, I just thought how perfect that is because we are the Leopards. So I'm so glad whoever left that left it here, because I think it just sets the tone for the office. 

What's the most important lesson you've learned while being a principal? 

Well, I've only been a principal for about a month. I mean, as the head principal. I've been an assistant for many years. I think it's just seeing the big picture. So many things go on in a school building from teachers to staff to parents to bells and drills. I mean, there's so many things to make sure that you're always thinking about the whole picture so that nothing falls through the cracks. 

What's your biggest fear?

 Probably letting people down. I'm a people pleaser, and I want people to be happy and feel good and successful. I think if I ever did anything that personally let somebody down, it would just crush me. 

What's something most people would be surprised to learn about you?

 Probably the way that I turn my music up really loud and sing at the top of my lungs in my car. Um, I grew up  in a choir growing up and I love to sing. You won't probably find me doing it here at work, but if you ever caught me outside of work, I'm singing at the top of my lungs. 

Do you have a hidden talent?

My husband says my hidden talent is my emotional intelligence because I can really read people well. If somebody were to walk in, I would instantly get that feeling of they're upset, or they're angry. So just having a really good read on how people are feeling, and I think that makes it easier to connect with them. 

What's the best advice you've ever received? 

I can't think of anybody specific who said this to me, but people who've always had my back. It's okay to not know everything, but to have confidence. Just go in full force and be ready to attack anything. And if you have questions along the way, that's okay. But in the back of your head to just know that you have the ability to tackle whatever comes.