We at Woodlands Monocle like to do as many stories on the people who walk the halls of our schools and administration buildings as possible. Today, you get to read about a principal. Who are these people who run the schools and are in charge of all things academic?
Well, we can guarantee you one thing, every school principal you see and pretty much every person you see at the Conroe Independent School District offices started out as teachers. You do not just go right into administration. You pay your dues IN the classroom educating students.
Yes, some of these administrators got into the education field because they eventually wanted to be in administration. However, most decided to go into administration after having taught for at least a few years. I wanted to make sure and clear that up because there are those few people who think principals just magically show up at schools by osmosis and start barking out orders. No, every principal was a teacher at one time.
Also, the CISD Superintendent, Don Stockton was a teacher and coached for 10 years before he ascended to his throne. Back when we started The Woodlands High School lacrosse program in the mid-90s, I had to get in front of Stockton at McCullough about field space. Stockton’s a veteran educator!
So, today you’ll be learning about the vice principal at Houser Elementary School, Kristen Belcher.
Seeing as I like to write about sports, this was an added treat as Belcher was an elite athlete through college on the softball field. Most people don’t realize how much of a grind it is to play college sports so Belcher’s experience in college will open some eyes.
It’s not just the guys who play college sports that have to wake up long before dawn to lift weights, run and work at their craft. Then, after class go to practice…then eat…then on occasion have twilight drills. That’s a full day. Wait! Like Ramco, there’s more…Don’t forget about Mandatory study hall at night.
What impresses me about Belcher is she went through all of that and managed to achieve a 4.0 GPA.
Have fun learning about Kristen Belcher in this week’s Woodlands Monocle Profile of the Week:
WM: Where did you go to college? Degree is in? Your employment path to being hired as the VP of Houser.
Belcher: I attended Hill College from 2000-2002. I graduated in 2002 with an Associates of Arts Degree. I was named the Hillsboro Citizen of the Year, given the Hill College Prestige Math Award and named to the Softball All-Academic Conference Team. During my time at Hill, I also tutored other college math students. From 2000-2005, I attended TCU and graduated in 2005 with a Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education. I was named senior mentor for The School of Education and was an active member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. While attending TCU, I also worked 30 hours a week tutoring college math students. From 2010-2012, I attended Lamar University and finished my Master’s Degree in education and administration. I completed all of my college career with a 4.0 grade point average.
I taught for two years at Lone Star Elementary in Keller, Texas from 2005-2007: one year at Hidden Hollow Elementary in Kingwood, Texas from 2007-2008: four years at Kaufman Elementary in Conroe, Texas from 2008-2012: and have been Assistant Principal at Houser Elementary since 2012.
WM: Where did you go to high school? Sports and activities?
Belcher: Vidor High School; I played softball and was named 1st team all-district and defensive player of the year. I was a All- American Cheerleader and named to the National competitive team. I played volleyball through JV and participated in Powerlifting in which I was named regional, state and national champion. I was a member of the National Honor Society and was my senior Class Vice President. I was also named Homecoming Queen and Miss Vidor High.
Kristen Belcher’s Vidor High School Team
WM: Describe how much you enjoyed playing softball in HS as well as while growing up and how it was beneficial to your growth as a person.
Belcher: Softball, to me, was a sport that I always loved and still do. It instilled in me team building and cohesiveness. I learned over and over again that is isn’t always about winning, but about how you grow better from situations and that practice truly does pay off, and building others up helps drive their ability as well. I have played softball since I was 5. I played little league, select ball, High School, College, and Co-Ed. No matter at which level I was playing, softball gave me an outlet to release stress… something of which I could always do better, and something of which I had to depend on others in order to win. I feel that softball has made me who I am today by being disciplined, hard working, and always wanting my team to succeed. I realize how important positivity is in all that you do and that nothing trumps hard work and effort.
WM: Talk about your high school as well as your softball coach.
Belcher: My High School was 5A until my senior year when we dropped to 4A. My high school was in a small town and everyone knew everyone. This small town feel helped develop the character traits I have today. My hometown was super supportive and cheered everyone on. I can remember the high school letting out early to allow students and teachers to watch our playoff softball games. It truly felt like the whole town was backing you. The t-shirt company printed Champion shirts and hats for us and the local businesses wrote on their windows and cars. The elementary schools held pep rallies for us. My coach was very disciplined but knew how to have fun. She let our team take ownership and allowed us to have a say in practices and decisions being made. She pushed us to be better and pushed us to pursue our dreams of being college athletes. Above all, she pushed us academically and wanted our grades to soar above the other students. Her mindset was that athletes should be disciplined in all that they do.
WM: In playing softball at Hill College, you were a standout. Yet, when your time was up there, you decided against taking your athletic career any further even though you had the option to play at the UH. Tell us why academics at TCU took precedence.
Belcher: After playing two years of JUCO, I decided to accept an academic scholarship from TCU. As much as I loved playing softball, I felt it was time to put my mind on my career goals. Playing at Hill, we had morning endurance training, practice after lunch, and usually an evening strength training with additional batting practice or film reviews. This kept your schedule super busy and academics were extremely hard to keep up with. Especially when you strive for all A’s. We practiced every weekend and most holidays. My team and coaches were my family. I enjoyed every minute of it. However, we missed lots of class time in order to make it to games and tournaments. Sometimes a week at a time. It was our responsibility to make up lab time, class time, and to get with your professor on any missed assignments and notes. This was difficult in the little amount of time you had away from the field and or gym. When deciding to go to TCU, I realized college sports is more like a job. I would rather accept the academic scholarship and pursue my career goals and not have to worry about such a busy schedule filled with my next workouts. This was the best decision for me and I was able to focus on what exactly I wanted to do with myself and was also able to participate in volunteer work.
Kristen Belcher’s Hill College Team
WM: Do you miss being a teacher? Describe your duties as a VP.
Belcher: I miss teaching every day. However, I love what I do now. I think of it as getting to be a teacher and role model for more children throughout the building. Having your own class, you create such bonds with your students and families. I miss that a lot. However, I now get to know families and children from Pre-K to fourth grade and are able to be a part of their elementary school journey. I get to make a difference every day, just like when I was teaching. I also get to inspire and encourage teachers which is the ultimate because then there is a ripple effect to the students and community.
WM: In being a former teacher and now an administrator, describe for us your thoughts on standardized testing. Some think standardized testing can handcuff teachers, yet others believe kids learn more in the big scheme of all things education.
Belcher: I believe there is a place and time for standardized testing. However, I believe our teaching must inspire students and help them to become critical thinkers. Thus, our instruction should not be targeted towards the test, but to our students’ needs.
WM: If you were given a million dollars to donate to the charity of your choice, which charity would it be?
Belcher: I would donate it to The American Heart Association. My son Parker, was diagnosed at 32 weeks with eight different heart conditions. He is one of only 5 cases ever reported. He fought the fight and outlasted his odds. There are so many people, young and old, who would benefit from this organization.
WM: Describe how supportive your family is in everything you do in your life.
Belcher: Anyone in education would be able to attest and say that they could not do it without a support system. My family has supported me throughout my teaching and administrative career. They also allowed me to take the time to complete my Master’s degree while being a full-time mommy and a full-time teacher. I could not be an inspiration to others if I didn’t have the support system I have! They step up to help me out with school projects, baking, going to the store for random items at odd times and are constantly reminding me that I make a difference.
The Belcher Family
WM: Three things people don’t know about you.
Belcher: I am a cancer survivor. I have met Muhammad Ali. Craig Biggio is my all time favorite player.
There is a common misconception that teachers and principals are two distinctly different educators. That can’t be all true as principals started out as teachers. You’d hope the principals remember full well their experiences in the classroom allowing them to be as understanding as possible. The best schools are the ones where the principals are both “Teacher Principals” and “Student Principals.” Show me a school where the principals don’t support the teachers and I’ll show you a school where the inmates are running the asylum.
I am witness to many teachers that have gone from teacher to principal who are still very good friends with the teachers they taught with. Sometimes, people think it’s fun to envision Stockton running a Stepford-like school district as in the famous movie called “The Stepford Wives” where all the wives of Stepford, Connecticut would be eliminated by the Stepford Men’s Club only to be replaced by “step and fetch it” clones. Only in the CISD, the teachers would be eliminated upon becoming a principal to be morphed as would-be robots.
Nah, that’s not even close to how it is in the CISD. Stockton likes free thinkers running his schools who are creative, out of the box, innovative teachers that carry those traits on to the next level.
Well, if you wanted a perfect description of Kristen Belcher, the last paragraph will do. What is most impressive about Kristen is her devotion and passion in everything she is involved with. We are all in personal battles with ourselves doing the best we can despite the heartbreak each of us endures. As you now know, Belcher is no different but we’d have never known the tough battles she faces and has faced because of the way she carries herself.
You know all of our kids are in good hands in the CISD if Belcher is a microcosm of the principals that run our schools.
Doug Sarant
Doug Sarant (Sports Writer) Born and raised in New England, Doug promises he got to Texas as fast as he could. He earned the much needed "piece of paper" from Sam Houston State, proving to himself he could start and finish something. Doug's interests include coaching and playing any sport and still plays lacrosse competitively. He also enjoys going to dinner theaters, though he complains there just aren't enough of them in Texas. Doug was brought up in a cultured envioronment, having suffered through dozens of symphonies and operas with his way too over-educated mother. At the end of the day, Doug is just a dad and husband and claims to be good at both.
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