At the September 19 School Board meeting, Superintendent O’Neil named Hempstead High School Special Education Department Chair and Higher Heights Hospitality Chair, Stephanie Prince, the Superintendent’s Higher Heights award recipient of the month.
During the meeting, Prince was honored and received a plaque for her dedication and service to the students and staff in Hempstead ISD.
Although small in stature, Prince leads with a big heart.
“I’m just Mrs. Prince,” she explained. “I love pouring into students and teachers because they deserve it.”
Prince explained that it is a joy to serve her campus and her students and colleagues each and every day.
She has worked at Hempstead High School for the last six years and was nominated for the award by her principal Samantha Mullens.
“Mrs. Prince is the heart of the school,” Mullens said. “She leads the campus Hospitality Committee and ensures that the climate of the campus is nurturing, caring, and all-around accepting. She caters to the teacher’s needs and is always willing to go the extra mile to support the vision of the campus.”
Prince is known for her ability to build relationships to increase the productivity of the teachers and students on campus. Her determination and commitment to making her campus a better school for both the staff and students can be described as awe-inspiring.
Prince became an educator when she saw her own child was not getting the support needed in school.
“As a parent, you always want what is best for your children,” Prince explained. “I vowed that my experience would not happen to another child.”
Prince works to develop relationships with each of her students by showing up for them. She makes it known to her students' families that they can always come to her if they need help or have any concerns.
“I meet parents where they are and I am there for my colleagues in whatever capacity they may need whether it's a good meal, to be a sounding board, to collaborate, and even to vent without judgment.”
The last few years have not been easy for educators, but Prince has chosen to be happy.
“I have so much going on outside, but when I walk through the doors of Hempstead High School it is no longer about me. It's about my students and those that I work with.”
Working with students every day allows Prince to make an impact in their lives. Some of her favorite parts about being an educator are watching the light bulb finally turn on when students grasp a new concept, or when her students come back to visit and thank her for being there for them.
“I have been blessed to have great educators in my life. Tracey Webb, a former assistant principal who took me under her wing, poured into me, and started my path on wanting to become an administrator.” The other is Bennie Mayes who always told me to "set the tone."
Prince explained she always shares a few things with educators.
“I always tell an educator to breathe, leave work at work before dark because it will be there tomorrow, ask for help and keep asking until they get what you need, and take care of themselves”