After teaching at several schools in Leander and other parts of Texas, over the summer Christine Simpson was welcomed to Raider Nation as the new principal of Rouse High School.

“I could not have scripted a better welcome,” Simpson said. “Everybody here has been incredible. There hasn’t been a time where a student, staff member, or parent hasn’t been open and welcoming. I say it over and over, this place is special.”

Simpson has worked in the education field for 18 years, and previously worked for multiple schools around LISD before replacing John Graham as principal. She wanted to impact a large group of students, and said Rouse seemed like a great place to do that.

“This school has a reputation for having a strong student culture, and I’ve always been a big proponent of student voice in education,” Simpson said. “I like to partner with students to improve the greater school system.”

Simpson began her role in education as a teacher at a high school in Castroville. She then joined LISD in 2009 where she taught at Running Brushy Middle School, before moving to an assistant principal of Leander High. At LHS, she began the C-Squared program and developed an attitude of kindness and anti-bullying amongst the students, which led to her previous job as principal of Leander Middle School.

“As a principal, I considered myself a support system for the entire school,” Simpson said. “That’s probably my favorite part of the job – getting to support students and their path to success, while supporting staff members in reaching those students. It’s really about removing any barriers I can to make sure students get the best education possible.”

The new principal has a passion for Rouse HS and has brought a lot of pride to the school, in not only education, but also in student involvement.
“I think students here are the pinnacle of what student involvement looks like in Leander,” Simpson said. “It’s interesting because they go about it in such a positive way, like the student section at volleyball and football games.”

“Even on student tours, like when we were touring with the new superintendent, the students leading the group knew everything about every activity here,” Simpson said. “So, students here know about each other, not just about what they are doing themselves.”

Already this year, Simpson has created a principal’s leadership group, composed of students who meet to discuss campus issues. The group is a voice for school improvement, and is helping create a better learning environment for students.

“It’s working with students to improve Rouse as a whole,” Simpson said. “How do we provide the best education for students and the best environment to learn in? I see this as becoming something that brings about a new sense of focus and pride for the school.”

Although many activities happening on campus each day, Simpson has made it her goal to be able to recognize each person by name and face, and to also recognize their accomplishments.

“We need to celebrate more success,” Simpson said. “There are many things happening that we don’t capture. I’m trying to be a presence on Twitter and a voice for the great things students are doing. Our staff here is also incredible, and their talents need to be celebrated as well. It’s really about having the opportunity to be the voice of the great things going on here.”