Central Middle School principal Natalie Gomez committed to students & staff

Published 12:14 am Wednesday, July 31, 2019

Natalie Gomez started her career in education as a sixth-grade ELA and reading teacher in 2002; 17 years later, she returns to middle school education but this time as head principal.

Gomez was offered the job as the new principal of Central Middle School in Nederland in May.

“I have been in Nederland my entire career,” Gomez said. “I started at C.O. Wilson in 2002. I was also a cheer sponsor there.

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“In 2004, I took over the Westernaires, the drill team at the high school and that person really needs to be on the campus. So, I moved from the middle school to the high school. When I was there I taught 10th– and 11th-grade English. I was Westernaire director for five of those years and then served as department chair until I moved into administration.”

Gomez said she became assistant principal of Nederland High School in 2013, where she stayed until the position of principal at Central became available.

“I think this position in a child’s education is vitally important because this is where they are starting to find their sense of self,” she said. “That’s a hard time in our lives, so to be able to be hands on and help shape those minds and create that love of learning is really exciting. I’m looking forward to that.”

Gomez said her main goal is simple — success.

“I think it’s our job as educators to instill that in them,” she said. “The age that they are at during this time is really important. They are starting to make some of their own decisions.”

Gomez said the word she’d use to describe herself is “committed.”

Natalie Gomez, new Nederland ISD principal of Central Middle School, said she is committed to allowing for her students and staff to be successful and prepared to learn. (Cassandra Jenkins/The News)

“I’m committed to my teachers; I want them to come in and communicate their needs so I can effectively serve them,” she said. “I’m also very committed to the kids. The goal is for us to constantly improve and achieve at high levels. I’m going to do whatever it takes in my capacity and ability to get the teachers what they need to be successful in the classroom and holding the kids accountable, so they are doing what they need to be successful in the classroom, as well.”

Along with her commitment, Gomez hopes her enthusiasm and excitement transcribe to her administration and students.

“As a district, we strive for excellence because our motto is ‘every student, every day,’ she said. “I totally believe in that mantra, so we’re going to strive to be the best that we can be and there’s always room for improvement to everything we do. I have goals and high expectations for the campus.”

With the beginning of school around the corner, Gomez said she intends to lead by example and give her school 110 percent.

“I believe very strongly in that sense of team,” she said. “It’s not me as a principal and then we have the staff. We are all CMS staff and we’re all working toward the same goal. I think that’s really important in being a good leader.”

Gomez hopes to increase community involvement and make sure parents feel included in decisions.

“It’s not the school is doing its thing and the parents are doing their thing; we are all together,” she said.

“If there is a question or concern, I need to know about it. I want that communication. I want the parents involved and to feel like they have a place at this campus. We want what they do — for their kid to succeed and be the best they can be.”

For more information visit https://www.nederland.k12.tx.us/CMS/. Central Middle School will begin its first day of the 2019-20 school year Aug. 19.