I am so excited tojoin the great GCISD family. I grew up in Nocona, Texas, where there were48 students in my graduating class. Living in a rural area was a wonderfulexperience for which I am so thankful. My father had eleven siblings sofamily gatherings were crowded but full of laughter and memory makingevents! A small number of attendees for holidays would be 100....greattimes with houses full of cousins. Being raised in the country my firstshoes were a pair of Nocona boots and I received my first horse when I wasthree. My father felt it was important that his daughter know how to huntdeer, quail, and dove, as well as slop hogs, haul hay, and raise cattle. You really don't want to know how old I was when I first learned to drive!Montague County remains very dear to my heart and I am proof it takes a villageto raise a child! Thank you to all the teachers and community members who heldme accountable!
I began college atMidwestern State University right out of high school and earned my Bachelor'sdegree in Elementary Education with a minor in English. For 13 years Itaught 5th and 6th grade Language Arts, which is ironic because I didn't learnto truly enjoy reading until I was an adult. I never developed a passionfor reading as a student and that knowledge was a driving force behind mydesire to ensure every student found their "favorite author" beforeleaving my class. I still miss "teaching" in the classroom andwhen I need a quiet place to think you will find me sitting in a Language Artsroom at GMS. There's something powerful about engaging with a book.
As life always does,mine went in different directions and I found myself seeking my Masters degreein Curriculum and Instruction with a minor in Information Technology Processing. I never dreamed of becoming a principal and felt my calling was to ensureauthentic curriculum was developed and used in our classrooms. It wasn'tuntil the end of my C & I degree plan that the seed was planted for me toventure out and pursue a second Masters degree in Educational Leadership. I stepped outside my comfort zone and have never looked back. Myuniqueness as a principal can be attributed to my combined focuses of bothCurriculum Instruction and Educational Leadership. My most recentaccomplishment was receiving my Superintendent certification this summer.
This year begins my21st year as an educator and moving to Grapevine has been great for myfamily and me. My husband Don and I havefour children and two perfect grandsons. Being closer to our “boys” was one reason we arrived in the area. I look forward to getting to know thestudents and families that make up Grapevine Middle School. It is a great place to learn and ourpossibilities for growth are endless.
We hope you have timeto visit GMS for lunch or to see what’s going on in our classrooms. Parents are the most important member of ourlearning Team. As always we welcome yourquestions and concerns. Every day is agreat day to be a Pony.
LindaYoung, Principal
