Partnership Principal
Nancy York

(Click here for a print friendly version.)

    “Being able to make a difference in the lives of some of my students—that’s what keeps me coming back each day,” says Nancy York, who has been principal of San Antonio’s Louis W. Fox Academic and Technical High School for the past five years.

     “My students are simply awesome. They don’t understand that their conditions aren’t so good (92 percent are economically disadvantaged and all qualify for free lunch); they just keep trying to succeed.”

    Fox Tech’s 1650 students at the 9-12 comprehensive high school have experienced a good deal of success in recent years, and the future appears to be even brighter with some of the programs York, her administrative team, and the 120 teachers have instituted. Part of the optimism centers on celebrating their accomplishments.

    “I’m a big relationship person,” York explains. “The heart of everything I do is building relationships, and that drives so much of what we accomplish.”

    York believes in recognizing people—both students and staff—and notes that some call Fox Tech “the land of kudos.”

   “Every Friday on the intercom I talk about someone who has made a difference at Fox Tech,” she reports. “Also, at faculty meetings, I give kudos to teachers. Other teachers will stand up and kudo each other.”

   There is much to recognize at Fox Tech, the oldest public school in South Texas having been built in 1879. Most recently, the school was honored by the Hispanic Law Alumni Association of San Antonio’s St. Mary’s University for encouraging Hispanic youngsters to enter the legal profession. The association hosted a dinner for staff and several members of Fox Tech’s Law and Research Magnet program.

   Based in downtown San Antonio, Fox Tech is able to provide its students, 96 percent of whom are Hispanic, ready access to law offices and the Federal and county court houses. They are able to witness court proceedings and participate in internships in attorney’s and court offices.

   York is also proud of Fox Tech’s Ninth Grade Initiative, which she and her staff began shortly after her arrival five years ago.

   “When I came here, many of the freshmen were out of control without direction,” she recalls. “It looked like ‘Freedom City’.”

   The Fox Tech staff initiated a three half-day summer camp for incoming freshmen, where they begin to learn about high school life and what will be expected of them. Discussions range from note taking, to team building, to the importance of credits, to student activities. Current students also share impressions with the incoming freshmen. They are given Fox Tech t-shirts and have a celebration the final day.

   The event, which now includes a parent day where parents meet the staff and hear about expectations for their students, has become such a tradition at the school that the older students get in line to volunteer.

   York explains that the first week of curriculum is suspended for the frosh team when school begins and additional efforts are made to acclimate the students to high school life.

   “All this has definitely made a difference,” York says. “Our goal is to have 100 percent of our ninth graders become 10th graders. After the first grading period, we had the lowest failing rate for freshman in our school system.”

   Fox Tech is also noted for its ROTC program, which has received the highest unit distinction honor, and its AVID program, which is a National AVID Demonstration School.

  York’s current focus is opening the college door to more of her students. Currently, approximately 60 percent of Fox Tech graduates go on to a community or four year college.

  “Many of our students are first generation students, and their parents question whether college is a possibility for them,” she explained. “We are spending a great deal of time this year working with parents to show them the many opportunities for their students to further their education, hosting parent meetings to discuss scholarships and other resources.”

  She has also created a position of college career facilitator that works directly with students to help them prepare for admission tests, write college applications and learn about financial aid. He has even taken students on college visits.

  Just as York is striving to expand the horizons of her students, so has the Principals’ Partnership expanded her horizons, she says.

  “I simply love the Partnership. The speakers we have at the Summer Institute, the research briefs, and the networking opportunities all are amazing. The Partnership has made a big difference in my life both professionally and personally.”

  More information about Fox Technical High School can be found at http://www.saisd.net/SCHOOL/high/004/004.shtm, and York can be contacted at nyork@saisd.net.

 
Past Focus Principals:

Focus- Jerrylyn Jones
Focus- Gloria Erkins
Focus- Ron Sing
Focus- Bill Hittman
Focus- Jeanene Sampson
Focus- David Gilligan
Focus - Joy Walton
Focus- William Roberts
Focus- Franklyn Wesley
Focus- Magdalena Gutierrez
Focus- Kent Bergum
Focus- William "Rick" Johnson
Focus- Ken Ball
Focus- Dan Tenuta
Focus- Charlesetta Deason
Focus- Rene Posey
Focus- Stuart Baker
Focus- Paul Smith
Focus- Christie Gestvang
Focus- John A. Butterfield
Focus- Janie Hill Hatton
Focus- Steve Warmack
Focus- Glen Clark
Focus- Kittie D. Weston-Knauer
Focus- William Dunn
Focus - Richard Pemberton
Focus- Dr. Anthony Spivey
Focus - John Weigel