After seven years of holding the position of principal at the Killough campus, Pamela Flores announces her retirement. Her last official day is Friday, June 28. Flores plans to use her retirement as a period to improve herself. Although she will be retiring, she’s still going to be part of the school’s future by creating a new program.

“My plans for retirement are to be the best version of myself I can be – in my faith, my health, the time I spend with family and friends, and hopefully [taking] many long trips to the beach,” Flores said. “My husband and I both retire this year and I look forward to the new adventures that await me with my best friend. As far as working in the future, I have partnered with LISD to help create a new principal mentor program. I look forward to helping other principals and schools in any way I can while maintaining a healthy balance of work and fun.”

Her journey began when she moved from Houston to Lewisville back in 1999. Flores started her career teaching home economics and never thought her career path would change.

“I loved teaching,” Flores said. “I had never thought of being an administrator, much less the principal. Your real purpose begins when you step out of your comfort zone. I have been blessed at each level of my career. Being a principal is one of the most rewarding careers anyone can have. I am very thankful to be a Farmer principal.”

Even though she is retiring from her position at the Killough campus, she’s previously been an administrator for other LISD campuses throughout the past 20 years.

“I was an assistant principal at Killough for five years when it was LHS North,” Flores said. “I became the principal at DeLay Middle School for six years before returning to LHS Killough for the past seven years.”

Abbie Klotzman, who will be finishing up her third year serving as Flores’ secretary, is thrilled Flores will embark on a new journey in her life. While Klotzman will miss her and her wonderful qualities she brought to the school, she believes it’s a monumental moment for Flores.

“As human beings, we only grow through change,” Klotzman said. “This moment provides me with a new opportunity to learn how to support another amazing principal and continue to love on our staff during the process. I will miss how she always worked to make each one of us better. She has a knack for figuring out what someone is good at and providing them with opportunities in that area to grow and flourish. She pushes us out of our comfort zone to [help] us grow for the better. I will also miss the laughter we shared. I have never worked at a more fun place.”

Klotzman would like for Flores to keep in mind is how much she’s impacted the school. She’d also like to remind Flores that her retirement will not cause her to be forgotten.

“She has cultivated a lasting legacy that will carry on in the lives of the students and teachers she worked with for years to come,” Klotzman said. “It doesn’t end just because she is leaving. I would also remind her to enjoy every moment of retirement. She has worked a long time for this. Remember to be present and soak it all in.”

Flores will always be grateful being principal and witnessing all of the kids accomplishments. She believes the best part about being principal was helping kids and teachers. She also likes that she has the ability to make a school a positive experience for students.

“It’s such a privilege to work with kids,” Flores said. “I get the opportunity to help students see a new way of doing things, learn to love school, and help them map out their goals for the future. [Also, I enjoy] helping teachers by setting them up for success and getting them the resources they need, helping them grow and removing any obstacles that get in their way of helping students.”

Most importantly, Flores will miss the people she’s worked with. Andy Plunkett, the assistant chief of LISD schools, has known Flores for more than 20 years. Although he will miss her presence, he is happy for her.

“[I will miss] her smile and positive attitude,” Plunkett said. “She is always happy and energetic. [Although] change is good, [it’s] always tough. She makes everyone around her better. She never settles for being average, but wants everything to be the best for her students.”

Overall, Flores is thankful she specifically had the chance to serve as principal of Killough. She and Plunkett were the only two people who got to serve as principal before Doug Killough’s passing. The school was named after Mr. Killough as Flores said he was an important part of the Lewisville community and coined the phrase, Farmer Pride. This is all Flores ever wanted to resemble in the years she’s served as principal.

“What a huge honor for both of us,” Flores said. “Mr. Killough lived his life loving kids, teachers and the Lewisville community, and I tried my best to emulate that each and every day. I would simply want to say thank you [to him]. Thank you for the laughs. Thank you for the fun. Thank you for making me a better person. Thank you for letting me share this journey with you. What a great team we have made.”