To continue our National Principals Month celebration, we sat down with the Campus Director of Premier High School – Austin (Wells Branch) Veronica Phillips to hear about her experiences as a campus leader.
How long have you been in education?
I’ve been in education for over 25 years,18 being spent at the University of Texas at Austin as the Continuing Education program manager. I launched continuing education programs designed to give working adults and high school students access to post-secondary learning opportunities. I was responsible for writing the curriculum for courses like Project Management and Paralegal Studies. I launched our professional certification series before it became popular at other schools. I found that I related with high school students working to earn industry certificates through the UT program because many of them experienced roadblocks in life, just like I did.
That sounds very similar to what Premier High School offers, with the college partnerships and industry certifications. Is this what attracted you to Premier High School – Austin (Wells Branch)?
Yes, there are similarities. Like my time at UT Austin, at Premier High School – Austin (Wells Branch), we provide an education that meets a wide range of student goals. Some choose Premier High School to work through coursework quickly and graduate early, other students simply want to graduate with a diploma, and others enroll to graduate with industry certifications or college credit. At Premier High School Austin (Wells Branch), our students can pursue a pre-apprenticeship certification and electrical technician training through a partnership with TRIO Electric.
How do you allow your personal experiences to help you as a campus director?
I use my experience of having a child at a young age to advise students on our campus who find themselves in a similar situation. I make it a point to always make myself available to them, no matter how busy I am. I’m here to help make decisions, set goals, or even help organize thoughts. My experiences taught me that many students just need structure, and I’m here to help provide that. I also know what it’s like to fall through the cracks of the education system. I grew up in different places with different family members, spent time in foster care, and even spent time with family in Mexico. I never really had a stable environment, so I had to figure out life and education mostly on my own. I try to be an example of stability and be the person they can go to for solid advice when they face challenges.
What advice would you give other campus leaders?
Look at your students as your partners. It’s not all about how you want things to be, the student’s opinion matters. We are all a part of one community, and when students have input, they take more pride in their education.
What is the most difficult part of your job?
The most difficult part, I would say, is motivating students who seem to have given up. Some students have experienced so many challenges that hope is in short supply. I try my best to lead them to make good choices and get some wins that will place them on a path to hope for a better future.
What is the best part about being a campus director?
I would probably say when you see a kid change over time. There are a few students that enrolled when I first got here. It’s incredible to see how they’ve matured. This is the first year we have had our first student council committee, and I never imagined that some of the same kids who struggled a couple of years ago are now our student leaders.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity and length.
