Joe Gandar Principal at Lincoln Middle School Named Secondary Principal of the Year

San Angelo ISD is proud to announce Joe Gandar, Principal of Lincoln Middle School, has been named the Texas Association of Secondary Principals (TASSP) Region 15 Secondary Principal of the Year! The Secondary Principal of the Year award honors and recognizes school leaders whose exemplary performance prepares students for successes in a global community. 

“Mr. Gandar is a principal that is dedicated to serving students and building a campus that is focused on high expectations,” said Mr. Wes Underwood, SAISD Chief of Schools. “Lincoln Middle School continues to grow under his leadership, and I cannot think of anyone more deserving of this award than Mr. Gandar.” 

Mr. Gandar provides direction and leadership over a distinct mission and goal for Lincoln Middle School which unites the staff and students together in one cause - to provide an inspiring education which prepares students for the next level of education. Mr. Gandar reflected, “It is such a blessing and an honor to have the opportunity to lead and serve at Lincoln Middle School. I get to impact young lives with 120 other adults that share the same vision and mission that I do. We share a vision of ‘Striving for Greatness’ and a mission that focuses on three things: Love, Encourage, and Empower. The purpose is to love, encourage, and empower our kids so that they strive for greatness. The foundation is built around love. We have great kids and smart kids. I love watching them grow, and be competitors, and be believers of themselves. Those moments tug at the heart every time. At the end of the day I’m doing what I love to do and what God has called me to do. I am so glad that He called, and I listened.” 

Under Mr. Gandar’s leadership, Lincoln Middle School implemented a new professional learning community (PLC) process which gives his staff the opportunity to collaborate and analyze instructional delivery based on the learning needs of their students. His staff meets daily during a dedicated time to purposefully reflect, plan, and prepare for their students' next level of learning and build meaningful relationships with the students. These PLC opportunities have provided the staff with confidence, teamwork, growth opportunities, and leadership to provide insightful teaching which directly impacts the growth and success of each student. 

Lincoln Middle School is also home to our innovative Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) lab with opportunities for students hands-on, collaborative learning experiences in topics such as robotics, flight technology, mechanism, and more. Within the STEM lab, students get to work in a collaborative setting, think critically through design challenges, and communicate with one another through group projects - a great representation of the San Angelo ISD learner profile. 

Mr. Gandar exemplifies the characteristics within our SAISD Educator Profile through his commitment to our students and his staff and by providing each student with an inspiring educational experience which prepares them to be future-ready, whatever that future may be. Mr. Gandar will go on to compete at the state-level for Texas Secondary Principal of the Year. We extend a heartfelt congratulations to Mr. Gandar on this well-deserved honor, and look forward to continued success at Lincoln under his leadership. He is a shining example of how at SAISD, our people make the difference.