How many hats does Coach Karla Cruz wear at El Paso Leadership Academy (EPLA) East? At least a dozen, plus the ones she tries on when she’s needed in a pinch as Dean of Students, Culture, and Operations. Coach Kruz is our school’s All-Star, doing so many things well that it’s hard to keep it straight, so we sat down with her to figure it all out.
What do you love about EPLA East? What sets it apart from other schools?
I love how EPLA East approaches our students. We want to know our kids, not just their names but what their story is: what their favorite sport is and what dreams they have. We love getting to know our students- they are not just another number at our school. Kids feel comfortable with everybody here in our safe environment. We have communication with parents, filled with positive conversations. Our parents know that we care about their kids. I even know the parents’ cars by heart! I see one pull onto campus and can let that student know that their parent is there even before they’re out of the car! We build bonds with our students which feels different than a typical school for kids. We focus on academics, but just as importantly on social emotional bonds. Everyone here knows everyone.
What roles have you played at EPLA?
I started as a tutor at our Flagship campus the first year it opened, in 2014, but I also helped out in any role I could. I took on subbing, and with my physical therapy background, applied and got the position of PE teacher. I was in my element in this role, I really loved it. At the same time that I was teaching, I worked on my Masters in Education with a concentration in Biology (I really love the sciences!). When we opened up the EPLA East campus in 2021, I was approached to apply for the Dean of Students position and thought, why not, I’m always up for adventure and opportunity!
What does a day in the life of Coach Cruz look like at EPLA East?
It’s always different! I deal with the daily unexpectedness (looking at you internet connection!), talk with students (yes, sometimes discipline), build our culture, manage school operations, and help teachers when they need it, give and take trainings (not to mention meetings…), lead tours to prospective students, and send our students off at dismissal! I work on programs for our students, like our middle school CRSSH program and our high school Housing System program. I’ve created many of the specifics for the Housing System while maintaining flexibility so we can have student input as well. And of course, I’m tallying up house points so our students know who’s in the lead and how many points they need to get to the next prize level or overtake the coveted top spot!
What do you love most about your role? What is the most challenging?
I love working with and being around the students. Love it. They are amazing! What is most challenging are discipline issues- there’s never a one-size-fits-all situation and not always an easy solution but I work to interpret and investigate bigger issues around a problem so I can fully understand and come up with appropriate resolutions. It’s hard because you’re always striving to do the right thing but it’s complicated.
When you’re not engaging with our EPLA East community, what do you like to do?
EPLA East is pretty central to my life, I spend a lot of hours here! However, I love sports and am really competitive! I enjoy playing slow-pitch softball and play any position, even catcher. I keep a softball in my office to remind me of my passion.
Any favorite music to get you out of a funk or that inspires you?
I’m a sucker for any type of music: Mexican…pop…country, it shifts all over the place. One of my favorite things to do to start my day at EPLA East is five minutes before I get to campus I blast some music to pump me up and get me going!
What else would you like us to know about YOU?
I like to stress to our students that I’m no more than anybody else, we’re all the same level, whether I’m a teacher, or an administrator, I’m still me; we’re all working together for the exact same thing, for the kids, making sure they’re taken care of and that our school is working for them.
I come from a very humble background but I want our students to know that at the end of the day, we are all equals, we can work hard and earn our spot -it’s not given easily- and we can all do great things.
Coach Cruz truly embodies the leadership work ethic we value at EPLA East tuition-free public charter school serving middle and high school students in grades 6-7 and 9-10. She’s also open-minded, open-hearted and focused on connecting with our students. Come meet her or learn more about enrolling by calling us at (915) 298-3901 or fill out an interest form today and join our forward-thinking middle and high school. Enrolling now for 2022-2023!
About El Paso Leadership Academy East
El Paso Leadership Academy East (EPLA East) is a small, tuition-free public charter school serving middle and high school students in El Paso Texas. We’re reimagining education from the ground up, starting with our intentionally designed building and continuing that with our scholars’ innovative and personalized education. We work with community partnerships in preparing our scholars to become dynamic leaders in the 21st century. We stress the importance of collaboration and accountability in all we do. Join our growing 6th, 7th, 9th, & 10th grade school with more grades opening every year. Enroll today!
