Getting to Know Dr. Artiles

This is Dr. Dagoberto Artiles’ first year as principal of New Rochelle High School. He previously served as assistant principal at Jericho High School in Jericho, New York. Residing in New Rochelle, Dr. Artiles has been a member of the community for several years and has two daughters enrolled in the City School District of New Rochelle.

Lily Spertus Newman (LSN): First—why did you decide that you wanted to live in New Rochelle?

Dr. Artiles: That’s a good question. Both of my girls were going to public school in the Bronx and being challenged consistently. When the older one was getting ready to go to middle school, the programs she wanted were more available in Manhattan—not in the area where we were living. There was a concern about a ten-year-old getting on the subway every day and traveling so far. So we said “all right, we sort of have to get out of here.” We identified three communities, New Rochelle being one of them, because of the diversity and the academic course offerings.  In the end, we fell in love with Ward [Elementary School], where our little one would go for elementary school. I think we have to blame Mr. Miele [Ward Elementary School principal] for us ending up here. It has been a wonderful, wonderful experience. 

LSN: Is there a specific reason you wanted to be principal at New Rochelle High School?

Dr. Artiles: I’ve been lurking for about five years. When things got really rough here, things really went on a downward spiral. When schools in Long Island decided they were not going to come for Model Congress—I was just like “that’s pathetic.” I thought, maybe I could work in New Rochelle. Maybe I can help. Maybe there’s something I can offer, because I understood the quality of the people, the quality of the kids, the quality of the courses and the rigor of New Rochelle High School. And when Mr. Raymond [City School District of New Rochelle Superintendent) came on board, I said, “maybe I can work for this guy.” So of course, I put in my application for the job. I hadn’t had an interview in such a long time—and here I am. I’m hoping to fulfill my dream of helping out—there should be no other school better than this one in Westchester. 

LSN: So you’ve been here for a couple months now—what has been your favorite experience working here?

Dr. Artiles: It’s the fact that I’m finally with the kids. It’s a school now. My favorite part is walking the hallways, talking to people, walking into a classroom. I know the kids are a little surprised, “this guy is crazy!” I am the principal who is walking around and talking to people. The kids are beautiful. Everyday, I go home super motivated—super tired—but super motivated. It is getting that hug in the morning from the kid who I just met eight days ago that is so wonderful. I am so impressed. 

LSN: That’s awesome! Shifting gears a little bit—what was your favorite subject in school?

Dr. Artiles: It’s interesting—I ended up being a social studies teacher, but I always loved science. I don’t know why I didn’t go into science—all of a sudden I wanted to become a lawyer, so I thought it would be good to study history. If I had more time, I would love to explore biology. I've always been fascinated with living things, how adaptive living things are. And I mean, look at all us human beings, right? So many things happen to our bodies that we are completely unconscious of. Our bodies don’t ask us to grow like, “so can I grow now?” It just happens totally out of our control—the way we breathe—our lungs do not ask for permission. It's fascinating how all these organisms just know when to kick into action. Everything is so precise—it’s the perfection of the clock. So unbelievable. 

LSN: Is there anything—maybe an activity or a memory—from your time in high school that influenced where you are today?

Dr. Artiles: You know, I tremendously enjoyed being on the debate team in high school. That’s where I learned my leadership skills. That's when I realized that people actually listened to what I had to say. I realized that I was able to work in groups and sort of automatically leverage myself into a position of leadership. I enjoyed the ability to have discussions, especially in the areas of politics. I love politics.  Istill have some friends who were on the debate team with me. 

LSN: Do you have any advice for students as we've started to adjust to in-person learning?

Dr. Artiles: I think my advice is to stay steady. It has been tough you have twenty two months that you were home. This is gonna be a little bit different. Stay the course and we—we got you.

LSN: Is there anything else that you would say to the NRHS community? 

Dr. Artiles: Just that I’m very, very happy to be here. It’s always scary changing jobs, especially when you are happy where you are—there's always the idea of the grass being greener on the other side and I have to say that in many respects, it is far greener here. I am so happy about my decision—I have zero regrets. It’s been absolutely lovely being here—the time is going by so fast. 

Responses have been edited for clarity.