Linda Buckley, the principal at Tanglewood Elementary School in Lee County, received a heartwarming surprise from her school community.
She was named ‘Principal of the Year’ for her dedication to inspiring the next generation of leaders.
Buckley has been a leader in education for decades. Her 40 years of teaching in Lee County are documented in dozens of yearbooks she still holds.
“Our ‘why’ is kids,” said Buckley. “So you have to love kids to be in education, because you’re making a positive difference in their life, and you’re preparing them for the future, because they truly are our future.”
In 2016, Buckley became the principal at Tanglewood Elementary School, which she considers her second home. Now, she has been honored as ‘Principal of the Year.’
“I was like, goodness gracious, what’s going on?” said Buckley. “And then when I turned the corner and I saw everybody in there, it was such a overwhelming, but yet such a special feeling, because then all of a sudden I do just flashbacks of all your years in the district.”
Buckley has led Tanglewood Elementary to an ‘A’ grade school and has left a lasting impact on students and fellow teachers, who have become like family to her.
“She’s here for her teachers, she’s here for her staff, she’s here for the kids,” said Robyn Shumsky, a 5th grade teacher at Tanglewood Elementary School. “You know, everybody loves her. She makes working here like home.”
Buckley emphasized the importance of serving and helping others grow in their profession.
“When you become a principal or an assistant principal, you know, our main goal is to serve and to help others grow and in their profession, the teachers, the paraprofessionals,” said Buckley.
She expressed gratitude for her role in education.
“I’m just grateful to be an educator, and I love what I do,” Buckley said.
Buckley will be formally recognized as ‘Principal of the Year’ at the upcoming school board meeting on Dec. 1.