A former helicopter pilot, Mark Melendez carried his Army training into his role as a school principal at Hutchison Elementary in Lamar CISD. That meant no displays of emotion, no hugs and a big emphasis on following rules and directives. It didn’t go over well. When he saw himself failing, he became motivated to change. Through Holdsworth’s Campus Leadership Program, Mark learned how to share the sense of purpose that drives him to work so hard for kids, and to express the love and appreciation he feels for his staff and students. “I have grown, changed and adapted to be what this school needs. I want Hutchison to be a shining light. That’s what it deserves.”
