Have you ever wondered who Dr. Wiley is and how she became a Principal? Do you know where she went to high school and where she grew up? Read more to find out these answers as well as what her hobbies are and her favorite food!
Tell us a little bit about where you were born, where you grew up, where you have lived.
I was born in Houston, Texas and grew up in the Hidden Valley neighborhood. I lived there throughout my school years and my parents still live in the neighborhood.
Tell us about your educational background, high school, college, etc.
I went to Aldine school all the way through high school – Hidden Valley Elementary (now Goodman Elementary), Anderson 5th Grade School, Stovall Middle School, and Aldine High School. I attended Texas A&M University and pursued a degree in Education. Upon graduation in December of 1998, I started my first teaching job at Aldine High School and remained a teacher there until 2006. During the 2006-07 school year, I became the testing coordinator at Aldine Ninth Grade School. At this time, I began working on my Master’s degree in Education Administration at Sam Houston State University. I remained in the testing coordinator position until 2009-2010, when I was named the Assistant Principal. I began pursuing my doctorate degree from Sam Houston State University during my first year as an AP. I stayed at Aldine 9 as AP for one year and was then moved to Stehlik Intermediate for 3 years. For the 2012-13 school year, I started as an AP at Davis High School. I graduated with my doctorate degree in 2014. I remained at Davis HS until the 2018-19 school year, when I returned to Aldine Ninth Grade as the principal. This is my third year as principal of Aldine 9.
Tell us about your family.
I am the oldest of 3 and have one brother and one sister. I am married and have two sons(13, 11mos) and a stepson (17). I have a very large extended family and we enjoy getting together often.
Tell us what made you become an educator.
My mom was a teacher, so I used to help her often growing up. When I was in high school, I was offered a scholarship to attend Texas A&M and was guaranteed a job in Aldine ISD upon graduation. I could not turn down free money, so I went into a field that I knew and loved.
Tell us why you decided to go into principalship.
I was ready to pursue something a little different in the education field after being a teacher for 8 years. My mom was a counselor, so I did not want to do that. I thought about becoming a diagnostician, but I didn’t like the paperwork, so administration was my other option. It was a good choice.
Who have you considered to be mentors throughout your career?
I’ve had a lot of mentors. Some good, some not so good, but I have learned from them all. In high school, my English teachers are the teachers that stand out the most to me. Ms. Govella and Mr. Westbrook, mostly because they made me a great writer. In undergrad (at Texas A&M), I had two professors that were great mentors: Dr. Gwen Webb-Johnson and Dr. Deborah Gibson. They pushed and challenged me and believed in my ability to do whatever I could. During my master’s and doctorate degrees, Dr. Rebecca Bustamante was a great mentor. I still keep in touch with her through Facebook. In work, I would say Mr. Walter Stewart, Mr. Thomas Colwell, Mr. Kenneth Knippel, Dr. Todd Davis, and Dr. Archie Blanson have been some of the men that I have learned a great deal from.
What are your hobbies?
I enjoy reading, watching movies with my family, and traveling. Really, spending any time with my family is what I enjoy most. We don’t have to be doing anything, just being together.
What is your favorite meal?
I am a sucker for Nachos. You can not go work with a huge, sloppy plate of Nachos. Yummy!!
What is your favorite or dream travel destination?
My husband and I love the Lake Travis/Austin area for local trips. Dream destination is Bali. I would LOVE to go there and be able to spend at least a week or two relaxing and chilling with my sweetheart.
Is there a motivational quote that you love?
The quote that sticks with me most is one that my mother said to me many years ago. “Ignorance is no excuse when knowledge can be obtained.” I don’t know if she made it up or if she heard it from somewhere, but it has stuck with me and I FULLY believe in it.
