After 13 years of being an assistant principal in various schools throughout LISD and in Arkansas, Tony Fontana’s hard work has paid off. He is now leading the school as principal of LHS Harmon.

While Fontana interviewed and received the position back in July, it has been a long journey that started back when he was a high school student.

“I was in algebra 2 class my junior year in high school and realized that I wanted to be a teacher and a coach,” Fontana said. “It started there trying to figure out my life, [and] then from there I decided to be an administrator.”

In order to be an administrator, a masters degree in educational administration is necessary. After going back to college for four years to receive his masters degree, he became an assistant principal.

“My work experience helped me get to my position,” Fontana said.

Many of his coworkers enjoy working with him.

“He is awesome because he creates a stress free environment and I guess you can say he trusts us,” bookkeeping clerk Viviana Nettleton said. “Even though it’s all crazy [in the office] and we have all of this stuff that is due, he doesn’t add pressure.”

Not only do his coworkers enjoy him as the new principal, the students do as well.

“He’s very respectful and cares about each and everyone of his students,” sophomore Tatiana Chavez said. “He doesn’t let anyone go unnoticed. He says hello to everyone, and makes sure everyone has a good day.”

With the positive attitude from his students and coworkers, Fontana enjoys coming to work everyday.

“My favorite thing about being principal is everything … [and] working with students,” Fontana said.

Before becoming principal, there was always a fallback if an answer was unknown. Before as the assistant principal, Fontana could ask the principal for ideas or support, but now that he is principal, he has to find the answer or talk to other people for advice. But the final decision is in his hands.

Even though so many tasks come with being principal, Fontana hopes to make a difference at Harmon.

“[By the end of the year, we hope] that we as a staff and school provide each student with the best learning opportunities and experience that they will ever have,” Fontana said. “In doing so [we will] help them be successful academically, socially, behaviorally and emotionally.”