What does it really take to turn around a hurting school, without losing your soul in the process?
In this episode of Transformational Educators, host Matthew Flippen sits down with Jim Vasquez, now Superintendent of Socorro ISD, to uncover the leadership journey that began at Horizon Heights Elementary, a campus with five principals in ten years. Jim shares how he built trust through one-on-one conversations, why culture must always come before strategy, and how he led with both courage and care to create sustainable change. This is a must-listen for any leader navigating a struggling school or wondering how to bring healing to a fractured culture.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
• Horizon Heights had five principals in ten years before Jim arrived
• Jim’s first step was meeting with every single staff member, custodians included
• Listening to staff revealed both pain points and hidden opportunities
• Small wins built early trust and momentum
• Jim believes "culture trumps strategy every time"
• Not everyone was a fit for the new culture, and that was okay
• Hiring for values, not just test scores, led to long-term growth
• Consistent communication with staff and parents prevented backlash
• Leading through resistance required courage, clarity and collaboration
• A program inspired by Sandy Hook is still running a decade later
BEST MOMENTS
00:02:18. “I was the fifth principal in ten years.”
00:03:24. “Tell me all the great things going on at this school... tell me where some of the challenges are.”
00:04:32. “Not only did I listen to them and speak to them, but I'm taking their advice.”
00:05:41. “Culture trumps strategy. Every strategy.”
00:06:50. “I might get a rookie teacher… I knew they would be a great fit.”
00:09:27. “They may not like it, but at least they understand where we're headed.”
00:10:33. “That's where I get the confidence. What I was seeing was right.”
00:12:14. “She came to me in tears and said, ‘We're moving too fast.’”
00:14:05. “That program is still going strong today… ten years after I left.”

🔗 Explore Gracelyn University’s online programs and leadership resources: https://www.gracelyn.edu

Transformational Educators | School Leadership Stories

Thank you for listening to Transformational Educators, where we share real stories of servant leadership, trust-building, and purpose-driven change in schools.

🔗 Explore Gracelyn University’s online programs and leadership resources:
https://www.gracelyn.edu

📖 Read Dr. Matthew Flippen’s new book, Win With Your Talent Pipeline:
https://zurl.co/EDveZ

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