Thank You Corsicana–From the Lost Files!

by | Mar 21, 2015 | Leadership, The Principalship | 8 comments

As I sit on my final night of an amazing vacation I wanted to take time to thank the people of Corsicana for allowing me to serve as principal for the past 6 years. I still remember my first day as principal of Drane Intermediate and my final day as principal of Corsicana High School.

I want to thank Mr. Don Denbow for allowing a 27 year old to be a campus principal. He believed in me and allowed me to attempt to be great! I am eternally grateful!

I want to thank Dr. Diane Frost for always believing in me. She wasn’t on the job long before she promoted me to principal of Collins Middle School. I served there two years and she promoted me again as principal of Corsicana High School. Thank you for allowing me to live out my dream of being a high school principal.

I want to thank all the faculty and staff that worked with me over the last 6 years! We’ve had some good times! We were together through the highs and lows. Thank you for never giving up! Thank you for listening to my wacky ideas! Thank you for always believing in the great things we can do for our children! You were always champions for children and I appreciate that!

I want to thank the parents and the wonderful community of Corsicana! I was an outsider and you made me an insider. I was welcomed with open arms my very first day and I felt the same way on the last day. You trusted me with your children and always believed in our approach for educational improvement. Most principals do not enjoy the level of support that I always had in Corsicana! Thank you!

Finally, I would like to thank the students of Corsicana High School! My children! I’m getting emotional just thinking about the fact that I will not see you in the halls next year!  I was blessed to watch most of you grow up from 6th graders to mature young men and women. I still can’t believe some of you are driving now. The thing that stands out to me the most is that you never let me down. You were always at your best. Of course some made some bad choices along the way, but we always got through it together. I appreciate that you always showed so much compassion to your fellow students and that you cared about learning. I will miss all of you and always stay in touch via twitter: @herbertoneiljr

Many of you have asked what I will be doing now that I have left Corsicana. I will be the Director of Academics for Life Schools which is headquartered in Lancaster, TX. It is an open enrollment charter school network with 8 campuses. My job is to provide instructional and administrative support to campus leadership.

I will never forget my time in Corsicana. I learned so much and met so many great people! As I told the students of Corsicana High School: always hold up the light!

Go Tigers!
Home of Champions

8 Comments

  1. Ginger Breazeale

    Thank you for all the times you taught, led, inspired, believed, supported, and loved our children. Corsicana remains forever changed by the legacy you leave behind. The appreciation of your dedication to your work and your commitment in Corsicana will not be forgotten. There will never be another principal like you. Lancaster is very fortunate to have you. Thank you, again!

    Reply
    • Herbert ONeil

      Wow Ginger! Thank you so much for the nice comments! I miss Corsicana a lot!

      Reply
  2. Vanessa Horn

    Mr . O’Neil I would like to thank you for all you done for the kids from Drane to the High school you is truly miss the support you had for the kids the encouragement you had for them
    The time you took to get to know the kids you treat them all equal I love that about I miss you because if the parents need to talk to you we can with no problem I wish you could have been here when Irvin walk across the stage he really miss you wish you would come back but I going to wish you the best and enjoy miss you dearly.

    Reply
    • Herbert ONeil

      Vanessa,

      You are soooo kind! I miss all of you! How is Irvin doing these days?

      Herbert

      Reply
  3. Toni Niles

    It was such a great experience with you on campus. Your caring spirit was always evident with your staff and students. You are missed.

    Reply
    • Herbert ONeil

      Thanks for reading Toni! I always enjoyed your pleasant smile! Have a great day!

      Reply
  4. Paulette Roundtree

    Thank you do much for everything you did and all the support you gave me during some very hard time. I miss seeing your smiling face and everything you did. Good luck in everything you do.

    Reply
    • Herbert ONeil

      Thanks Paulette! I miss you too! Hope all is well!

      Herbert

      Reply

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