PRINCIPAL SPOTLIGHT:
TINA P. WALDROP
Principal Name : Tina P. Waldrop
School you work at : Osceola
Elementary School
School Attended : University of
North Florida
Years at Present Assignment : 7.5
What is your school’s motto and how do you make
it come alive in your school? Our school’s motto is
“Better Never Quits.” It signifies the importance of
always learning and improving. We want our students to
know that there are no limits for them. They just need to
keep working, learning and trying and when these are
put into action, better things will come each and every
day. It’s about never being complacent with where you
are in life. You set one goal, you meet that goal, you set
another and always strive for the very best.
Describe your school’s atmosphere? We are a very
family-oriented school. Our school is warm and inviting
to visitors and we love having people visit and work with
our students. The school family is important to us and we
encourage and support a positive atmosphere.
What do you enjoy most about being a principal? I
enjoy being able to impact student’s lives by supporting
the hard work of the teachers. This impact also extends
to helping families in order to support our children
throughout their daily lives.
What is your favorite book? As a child my grandmother
would take me to the little library in downtown St.
Augustine. I can remember the screen door and the
musty smell of old books. It was there where I fell in love
with books and reading. I would read any books that
had to do with horses! Two favorites of mine were Black
Beauty and The Black Stallion. As an adult, I loved the
Lord of the Rings trilogy. The books are about resiliency
and grit in the face of almost unsurmountable odds. The
lessons of friendship and loyalty come in many forms and
the reader learns that trusting in others is a strength not
a weakness.
What is your favorite quote? “I may not be able to
change the direction of the winds, but I can adjust my
sails to reach my destination.”
What brings out the best in every student? The feeling
of connectedness and a sense of belonging. Every
student needs to feel that they have a special place in
school. When they are absent, they need to know they
are missed and when at school, feel cared for and loved.
Students also need to know they will be challenged to
do their very best in school. They need to feel that when
they are challenged, and fall short of the challenge,
they are in a safe place that allows them to keep trying.
Students receive whatever support they need, celebrate
when they reach their goal….and then they set another
goal!
How do you communicate with parents? Any way I
can! Parenting in today’s world is hard and we must
help our parents any way we can. I want our parents to
feel they truly are in partnership with the school to help
their child succeed. If parent conferences need to be over
the phone, in the parent pick up line or at a basketball
game, we will accommodate! A parent’s role doesn’t
end when the student enters the schoolhouse and the
school’s role doesn’t end when the child goes home.
What are you most proud of about your school? I am
most proud of the dedication and commitment of our
teachers, staff and students. Osceola is an amazing place
to work and learn. Last year was a tough year for us, but
the staff rallied around the students and accepted every
challenge that was presented to them in a big way. We
knew the growth of each and every student was critical
and that priority was more important than ever.
What message do you want every student at your
school to hear? You are an amazing person! You have
the potential to do whatever you put your mind to.