Speaker 1: 0:00

This episode sponsored by Cram Crew Learn more at CramCrewcom and Stuart Orango Oral Surgery Learn more at SAOeralsurgeonscom. Welcome to the Bubble Lounge. I'm Martha Jackson and you may have noticed we've been on kind of a role of having a lot of the faculty and staff at Highland Park on the show. We've had the new superintendent, dr Rockwood, we've had Coach Allen, the new athletic director, coach Jordan, and I was thinking somebody was missing and that was Principal Gilbert, principal of the High School. So I invited Principal Gilbert on and he's joining me today. He's going to talk to us about his history with Highland Park for the past 16 years and just let us know kind of where we're going and what's coming up during the school year. You're going to really love this episode, principal Gilbert. Welcome to the show.

Speaker 2: 0:56

Thank you, martha. I'm honored to be here. As a fan of the Bubble Lounge, it's a treat for me to be here and I'm excited to spend some time with you this morning.

Speaker 1: 1:04

Me as well. Well, so you have been at HPIC for quite some time. You've started out at higher and then you've kind of worked your way up the ranks. Tell us about your background with Highland Park.

Speaker 2: 1:16

So it's been such a unique thing and I say that if there was ever a fantasy world for principals, I would be living it. Having the opportunity to start 16 years ago at higher elementary and spend 10 years there. It was such a great way for me to get connected to the community and then having the opportunity to go up to the middle school for two years. That was such a fun experience for me to experience secondary education and honestly, would have loved to spend more time there, but when the position came open at Highland Park High School, I just had to jump on it.

Speaker 2: 1:44

I had to, it was a dream job and was so thankful that I was given the opportunity to be here and so to be able to spend this these many years in a community like this. It is the thing that dreams are made of, and I consider myself lucky. Every single day, something happens that reminds me of how lucky I am to be here.

Speaker 1: 2:02

Well, just tying in with how long you've been here 16 years, you said you've kind of in a unique position, that you have known these guys, especially this class of graduating seniors, for quite some time and you have quite the history.

Speaker 2: 2:13

You know I say this often I love all my scouts the same, but I've known some of them just a little bit longer, those that I was with at higher. I was their principal in kindergarten. So kindergarten through fourth grade, and then I caught up to them in seventh grade and I will be there on stage this year to shake their hand. So I will have been their principal every year from kindergarten through 12th grade, minus the small stop in fifth and sixth grade and then catching up with the other students in seventh grade and still having the opportunity to spend six years with this group of seniors. I'm getting to know them, getting to know their families. As you know, in Highland Park it's a family affair and what a fortunate place to be for me.

Speaker 1: 2:57

Well, so you've known a lot of these kids since kindergarten, like you said. Is there any like tell me about some of the growth and just exciting things that you've seen with some of these kids?

Speaker 2: 3:07

You know, I think one of the best professional development experiences a teacher could have is if they're in kindergarten or first grade and they're really struggling with a student to go up to the high school and see what the final K-12 product looks like. Because I have been able to first hand see these kids in school and see just what you talked about the growth and development and being able to see these kids accomplish things at the tail end of their K-12 career, and it has been such a privilege to see that didn't happen by accident. You know the confidence that I have in the teachers all along the way, at every step of the way, that have built, that have helped build this system and help pour into these kids. It's quite remarkable.

Speaker 1: 3:55

Do you have any special advice that you offer this year of graduating seniors?

Speaker 2: 4:00

So the one thing that I will say is that it's going to all go so very fast, and so we really need to try to hit the pause button as many times as we can to enjoy the moment, because I think we get so caught up in college applications, we get caught up on who's going where and what parties are where. But you know, this is a senior year and it's our last year to be in the school of scots, and let's enjoy that. Go to the games, you know. Go to the pep rallies, you know. Go to the big events for the school and just soak it all in, because when you leave Highland Park High School, you know those are the things that your memories are going to be based on. Your memories are going to be based on how much time you spent working on a college essay.

Speaker 1: 4:42

That is so true. You know, it's telling you. My daughter just graduated this last May and I would say that second semester it was just like full throttle, speed ahead. It was like so much it's just a whirlwind. And I've determined I'm going to do better the next time with my son and just like really pause, like what you're saying, enjoy the moment and really let it all sink in.

Speaker 2: 5:03

Yeah, and you know, I think that's wonderful thing about having multiple kids is we say we're going to do it better the next time around if they were only the same, and it's going to be a completely different journey and you'll probably experience some new and different things as well with him.

Speaker 1: 5:16

That is an excellent point. Well, I couldn't help but notice there is a ton of new faces at the school new staff, new coaches, new superintendent. Tell us about that.

Speaker 2: 5:27

You know it is really exciting, I think you know in a school like Highland Park that's so deep and rich in tradition. You know we want to make sure that we preserve those things. Those are the time, honored events and traditions and really the values that we hold that help us connect from one generation to the next of Scots. However, there's new people on board and with that comes a new level of energy and enthusiasm and an appreciation and to a person. It's been really exciting to talk to them about how lucky and how fortunate and how honored they feel to be a part of our school. The Highland Park mystique is a real thing and when we offer up a position to someone and they say yes, the level of appreciation that they have and the sense of responsibility that we share because this is our turn. Highland Park High School has been a great school for a long time. It's going to be a great school long after that. We're all gone, but it's our turn and these new faces really feel that and appreciate that.

Speaker 1: 6:29

Well, you're so right. I met a new teacher of my sons the other day. Not only was he new to Highland Park, he was new to Texas and he seemed just a tad bit nervous, like he really was aware of Highland Park and the reputation and that he was there to serve. And I tried to offer him some encouraging words because he seemed like a wonderful teacher.

Speaker 2: 6:49

You know it's interesting because Highland Park isn't for everyone, you know, I think we think Highland Park wow who wouldn't want to teach here? Well, there is a level of, like you said, there's, you know, anxiousness in terms of there are high expectations and, you know, when people think about Highland Park, they think about excellence, and if you are committed to that and that's something that you want to be a part of and you want to challenge yourself as an educator, there's no better place and I couldn't imagine a place that would be better for a teacher who wants to do their absolute very best, working with the absolute very best kids the support of our community. I mean, there are high expectations but there's also high levels of support, and when those two things are married, all things are possible for all kids.

Speaker 1: 7:34

Well, I've just always had a world of respect for teachers and everyone that works in education. There's a reason that I don't work in education. It just wouldn't be a good fit and it's not for everyone. But the ones that are there, they are really dedicated, they're really all in, they have a passion for it and just that love of teaching other people. Do you have any examples and there's probably too many for you to single out one but I've seen one of the teachers that have really gone above and beyond.

Speaker 2: 8:02

Well, you know, martha, I've seen you out on the field and I see how you put yourself out there creating content for the lounge.

Speaker 2: 8:07

So I don't know, you might be all in on this too.

Speaker 2: 8:09

You know it probably wouldn't be fair to name a specific person, but what I will say is that there are countless examples of things that I see every day and I think people would expect that from an elementary teacher. I think people think, oh, at elementary level they're so nurturing and that's the part of being an elementary teacher that you know people love and cherish the most. But I'll tell you, I've been so pleasantly surprised at the high school level the amount of time our teachers take to connect personally with their kids and when there are problems that our kids face, challenges that our kids face, our high school teachers, who have 150 to 160 kids sometimes on their caseload, they're taking the time that I would see an elementary teacher take who has 22 students, to connect with their kids and care for their kids, whether it's something exciting, like taking the time to write a college letter of recommendation, or whether it's something that's really hard, like a loss in the family. There's just countless examples of things that I see our teachers doing to take care of our kids.

Speaker 1: 9:11

I'm sure with as long as you've worked in the system and education in general, you probably have a couple of funny stories. Is there anything that you can share with us?

Speaker 2: 9:18

OK, so you're absolutely right. Being in Highland Park, just the the experience that you have are second to none and you can't make some of this stuff up. And so one year I was at higher and we were having a bike rodeo and a picnic and Peyton Manning came on campus and he was going to go talk to his nephew's classes and he was real concerned about being stopped by a bunch of kids because he had a golf round scheduled with George Bush.

Speaker 1: 9:49

Oh, my god.

Speaker 2: 9:49

And so he was like I don't want to be bogged down, but I want to be able to. And he was so gracious, unbelievable. And so we were going from one class to the next to say hi to his nephews, and so I said hey, peyton, this is the deal. The fastest way to get from one classroom to the next is actually to go outside and across the playground. I had forgotten that there was a, there was a picnic. So we walk out and we're walking across the higher playground and all the kids go hey, look, it's Mr Gilbert. They didn't even notice that it was Peyton Manning. And so Peyton Manning looked at me like yeah, I just got one up by the principal.

Speaker 1: 10:23

Oh my god.

Speaker 2: 10:25

That was kind of a funny moment.

Speaker 1: 10:26

That is hilarious. I love to hear that. That's a really, really good story and we'll continue the interview after this short break. Finding an oral surgeon is hard enough for yourself, and when it comes to your kids, it can feel impossible. We suggest our friends at Stuart and Orango because, from emergencies to wisdom teeth and everything in between, they have you covered. Stuart and Orango are board certified with MDs who specialize in full scope oral, facial and implant surgeries for both children and adults. Not only is their office state of the art, they lead the industry with the most advanced techniques and procedures and when it comes to safety, they are pediatric and adult advanced life support certified and use a three day local anesthesia which keeps you comfortable by limiting the use of opioids. Best part is they're conveniently located at Northwest Highway and Hillcrest Avenue. So if you want the best of big D caliber oral care, come see the friendly staff at Stuart and Orango to learn more about them or book your appointment. Visit essayoralsurgeonscom. That's essayoralsurgeonscom.

Speaker 1: 11:32

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Speaker 2: 12:39

You know, when I'm with my friends that don't live in Highland Park and they're asking me what it's like to work in Highland Park, the question that inevitably comes up is well, what's it like working with those parents? And I say, you know, working with those parents is actually one of the best parts about being in Highland Park. I was just with a group of parents and giving them a tour of the school and talking to them about the programs that we have here at the school and just how involved they are and how committed they are to the success not just of their kid but of every kid at Highland Park High School. If I could give anything, if I could give anything to my daughter's school, who goes to school in Richardson ISD, it would be a Highland Park parent, because I know that that parent is going to support that school, her class, her classmates, all the way.

Speaker 2: 13:27

And you know there's just nobody. Nobody rallies the troops like Highland Park parents. Now, when it's for positive things, when it's excitement, like a game, like Friday night when I saw you on the field, I mean you know that was exciting and exhilarating. There were so many people there to support our kids, whether it's in the band the bells, cheer football, but then also, when times are tough, you know, our parents really rise to the occasion and take care of our kids, and it's one of the absolute, true strengths of our community and one of the things that, as I drive home every day, that I'm grateful for.

Speaker 1: 13:59

Well, it's just the number one thing that I enjoy about living here is that sense of community. You know, you just can't find this setup in any other city or state. I feel like I've had friends that have moved to Houston or to Colorado and they're like this just doesn't exist anywhere else and we are really fortunate to have it. And you're right, the parents like if there's a cause, if money needs to be raised for a new something, they jump on it. And you can see all the emails going out and posted on our neighborhood Facebook page Park Cities Chatter and people are ready to go and like, help out any way they can.

Speaker 2: 14:35

And I think sometimes that can take a mind of its own and go off on a path where people may look at it as not a positive. You can't have both. You can't have heavily involved parents without having a little bit of people expressing their concerns or expressing their opinions on how they want things to be done, and that's all part of managing the parent expectations. And so you're absolutely right. I mean there are so many different mediums that are out there to talk about our school system and what an honor to be a part of something that people want to talk about. I mean there's a podcast right where Bubble Lounge. It talks a lot about our community, but in a community that's so school-centric, a lot of times you talk about things that are going on in our schools and that's amazing.

Speaker 1: 15:22

Well, there's always a lot going on. Is there anything coming up that we need to know about?

Speaker 2: 15:26

Well, you know we've got homecoming coming up, oh dear, and so that's always a big deal. Where, you know, we have a pep rally out in the stadium and so every grade level's out there and each group performs. You know we'll have the senior dress-up days, and so those are always fun for our students to be a part of. Of course, then the big homecoming game, where you know we will crown the homecoming queen on, you know, on the field, on the 50-yard line, something that we started doing a couple years ago and that's something that I think the community has really responded to. So you know we're excited about that. And then, of course, there's just those time-honored things that we do every year at Highland Park High School that I think help connect us as Scots.

Speaker 1: 16:06

Well, where can people go? Because, like I said, there's just endless amounts of events, sports events. There's always something going on. It's the best place for people to go for this information.

Speaker 2: 16:15

So there's a couple of places to go, clearly the Highland Park ISD website, the Highland Park High School website. Those are two great places. Scots Illustrated that's a great site for athletics. And then, if you want to kind of pull back the curtain and see what's going on in Highland Park High School itself, print underscore Gilbert on the gram. That's a great place to go. I'm always posting stuff about our kids and our school. I'm so proud to be able to spotlight the great things going on at Highland Park High School.

Speaker 1: 16:42

Well, I'm going to agree with that. It's so much fun to follow here on Instagram. I just think it's so cool that a principal takes the time and effort to highlight so many different groups and students and you're at so many events and just supporting them and cheering them on.

Speaker 2: 16:56

You know it's funny because I have to be mindful that I'm not spotlighting one group more than the other, because you know people will call me out for that, and so it's been real fun to try to make a balanced approach to that. And, as I was sharing earlier, I do feel there's a little bit of a responsibility that I have as the principal to show that there is a responsible way to use social media and then also be able to control the narrative of the school, and so I really am using that to showcase what's going on at our school. It's all about my students, my teachers, our teams, our programs. It's just a fun way to celebrate the Scots.

Speaker 1: 17:34

I have a burning question for you how many sneakers do you own?

Speaker 2: 17:38

That's a great question, and my answer to you is this I have enough that people keep asking, but the actual number is going to be a secret.

Speaker 1: 17:47

Well, I really enjoyed the pep rally last year when the Scotsman gave you the Nike shoes like theirs.

Speaker 2: 17:53

You know, those were really cool dunks that they gave me, and one thing that people may not realize is that they were personalized with my initials on it, which made it a really cool deal for me For those guys to do that. The way through my heart is probably through my feet.

Speaker 1: 18:10

I want to learn more about the MAPS program. That area looks so nice and it's new and I know a lot of exciting things happen in there.

Speaker 2: 18:17

You know, it is a great program that we have, and I would encourage people to look into our academic planning guide to see the courses that we offer, because there is something for everyone up there. And the thing that I think that separates this program from other programs that we offer in our school is that we bring in outside experts who are currently in industry, where you know the age old question of why do we have to learn this? Well, we bring people in who are experts in their careers and experts in their field to talk to our kids about what's going on. So, for example, our architecture class you know we'll have different architects come in. Our kids will design things. We'll have a panel of experts that will give feedback. We are an entrepreneur class. We do what we call a Scots tank. It's a take off on Shark Tank, where our kids pitch ideas in terms of being entrepreneurs and we have people come in and give their opinions on what these products might be, and then the winner of Scots Tank will get dollars to put towards exploring making their idea come into fruition.

Speaker 2: 19:20

And then when there's one real special thing that we also offer up there, a unique thing, it's a partnership with our 18 plus program.

Speaker 2: 19:27

It's called Scotty Joe's and you've probably heard of it by now, but it's a coffee shop where it's a partnership between our students that are an 18 plus as well as our students that are in maps, our business and design leadership class. Our students in business and design they work on the inventory, they work on the marketing, they work on all of the slogans and the finances. Our students in 18 plus are the front of the store. They serve all of our kids that come up in between classes or at lunchtime that want to a cup of coffee, whether it's an iced coffee or the very popular Scotty Palmer, and we are so proud that we actually have one. We have a graduate of our 18 plus program who now is on staff and is our manager of Scotty Joe's and just a really unique thing that we offer in the credit union of Texas and our maps program, all making this a real possibility for so many kids to enjoy.

Speaker 1: 20:21

I mean, how cool is that? I had nothing like that in high school and I'm sure there's plenty of other schools that don't have it as well but just that hands-on experience of really feeling like you're getting experience owning a business and just all the things and parts that come along with that.

Speaker 2: 20:35

You're absolutely right. Just in and of itself, that part of it is unique and special for our kids that are in the business and design leadership class and then, on top of that, giving our kids in 18 plus a real experience of working in interacting with their on-grade level peers. It's such a wonderful product that we have here at our school and something that really you know. I think our school has a reputation for a lot of things. You know as you look at the scoreboard, more often than not the Scots are ahead. You know, academically we perform so well and we're known across the country as an academically rigorous was high school. But we also are really good at inclusion and accepting all of our Scots, and everyone is a Scott and we're so proud of that, and that's something that I really, as a principal, am so thankful for as well.

Speaker 1: 21:31

Right, Well, let's shift gears for a minute here. Mental health is such an important topic right now. Our teens are suffering more so than ever, and I wanted to talk to you about what kind of advice do you give our students, because there is a very hard academic rigor. There's a lot of pressure to make the good grades while also being an athlete or being in any number of clubs. What is your advice to the students?

Speaker 2: 21:55

Yeah, I'm so glad that you asked about that because that is something that we talk about as a staff pretty regularly. You know, last year we made a concerted effort with each of our teachers to do something in their class to connect with their students on a personal level, whether it's asking a question of the day, whether it's taking feedback throughout the duration of the semester, to make sure that our kids feel valued at school. You know, in a school like Highland Park, where it's hard to be average because there are so many great things, there's just deep pockets of excellence all over our campus and so you know, as a kid, where do I stand out, where do I fit in, and I think it's so important to have that connection to school. Just this past week we had a student activities fair where these different clubs that are run by our kids and we have so many we have to do it over the course of two days. So getting involved with one of those activities, but making sure that your academic load is a balance, because I think just because we offer an unlimited number of AP courses doesn't mean that every kid should take that. I think that every student needs to look at what their capacity is and it's okay to not take every course that your friend is taking. It's okay to take fewer AP courses than your friend if that's what's best for you, but I think it's very hard to play both sides of it where you're a football player but you also take all AP courses.

Speaker 2: 23:25

I think that we offer study halls as a period. We consider one of those, and that's a built-in time during the day that you can take time to study and catch up on the work that you need to do, and our counseling staff is terrific at helping students manage their load. I think our students need to to make sure that they're talking with their counselor. These are the things that I not only do in school but outside of school to help really get a good idea of what a schedule will look like. It's that balance that we continue to preach, and it's a lot easier said than done and in a school where there are so many pressures, as you mentioned, knowing that not everybody has to do the same thing and ultimately, at the end of the day, we want our kids to have options where they want to go to college, and the Highland Park School profile still stands very strong, and so I think there's a way that you can have a balanced resume to make yourself a viable candidate for the school you want to go to.

Speaker 1: 24:20

Well, I just love that you all have over 200 clubs. You were talking about the fair that you had last week and my son came home and told me about it and he jumped on a couple of them and he's super excited to get involved and I just think finding your tribe and your people and where you fit in is so key to having a positive experience.

Speaker 2: 24:40

Yeah, and that was one of the things that when I got to Highland Park High School, right away I was like this is a thing that we need to really embrace, because there's something for everyone.

Speaker 2: 24:49

And the last thing that we would want is for a student to show up to school and go to all eight classes and leave and then at the other day say nobody knows I'm here, I don't have a connection to school. I mean that would be the worst thing possible. And so to know that we have so many options for our kids to get involved and it's run by students, I mean that's the thing. I mean we have so many highly talented, qualified students to lead these initiatives it's really unique. I know that you had an episode earlier this summer where you were talking with Chloe Walsh and I mean she is the epitome of a Highland Park student and what she offers in terms of not only did she excel in the classroom and as a bell, but she's so willing to help others along the way, and I just think that's a great part of the Scotty tradition.

Speaker 1: 25:37

She is an amazing human being she is. What I think is interesting is, if you don't find a club among the 200 plus, you're welcome to start a new one.

Speaker 2: 25:46

Absolutely. All you have to do is find a teacher or a staff member that's willing to serve as the sponsor. Put together a set of bylaws which won't be real hard and meet, and you can do it.

Speaker 1: 25:57

Well, that sounds easy enough. Do you know, I encouraged each of my students to start as Scott's podcast with the high school students.

Speaker 2: 26:05

That would be awesome. We have a class, we have a broadcast class where they were podcasting as part of it, but I think that would be a hit.

Speaker 1: 26:13

Well, I went down there and I was in the TV studio the other day. I had no idea all that existed and I was very impressed.

Speaker 2: 26:20

You know it's great, our TV studio is great and we're in the process of really beefing it up. We have a new teacher down there, mr Jackson, who's taking it by storm, and we live stream all of the pep rallies and I know that there's been some technical difficulties this year. It's a student project and so it's a student product and we're trying to make that a viable option for our parents Because, as you know, a couple of years ago we asked that students participate in the pep rallies and so we live stream them and our kids are doing those live streams and my hope is that that media program is going to continue to develop. They've already incorporated the big video boards in our gym and using those as a part of our pep rallies and it's just been a great program. But I think a podcast for students for by Highland Park students for Highland Park students is a winner.

Speaker 1: 27:18

Well, neither one of my kids seem interested so somebody's kid needs to jump on that and I'm happy to give any advice that you guys might have.

Speaker 2: 27:25

Might want they could come up to the lounge and see how it's all about.

Speaker 1: 27:29

Well, I am so grateful that you came to the lounge today. Thank you so much for being here.

Speaker 2: 27:34

It's an honor to be here, and I just want to tell you how much I appreciate the effort that you make to help our students and our school shine. You take sometimes a lighthearted approach, sometimes a very serious approach to shining a light brightly on a community that's really special to me, and so I appreciate everything you're doing here in the Bubble Lounge.

Speaker 1: 27:55

Thank you so much. I love what I do.

Speaker 2: 27:57

Well, it shows.

Speaker 1: 27:58

Well, that's been another episode of the Bubble Lounge. I'm Martha Jackson, and we'll catch you next time.