Editor's Note: This is the latest in an occasional series on young leaders and entrepreneurs trying to make a difference in Texarkana.
TEXARKANA, Texas -- When opportunity knocks, Westlawn Elementary Principal Elodia Witterstaetter answers and welcomes new challenges to grow for herself, her family, her campus and her community.
Paving her way as a first-generation college student, Witterstaetter has acquired multiple degrees, worked her way up in her career as an educator, and uses her experience and knowledge to encourage students, teachers and her own children to achieve their goals, stay optimistic and persevere through any obstacles.
"I personally feel we either take on that opportunity or we turn our back on that opportunity," she said.
As a lifelong learner, she is currently continuing her education with the Bill Ratliff Academy for School Executives Alternative Superintendent Certification Program, in joint partnership with Region 8 ESC and Texas A&M University-Texarkana. She is expected to graduate this December.
"This program has allowed me to gain a larger perspective in my current role as a campus leader and how I can continue to align and support our goals and priorities to our districts," she said.
Going on her third year as principal at Westlawn, Witterstaetter has worked to support teachers and assist in developing students who understand the value of being active members of their community and also excel academically. The elementary campus is enrolled in FranklinCovey Education's "The Leader In Me" program, encouraging students to explore curriculum through a leadership focus.
As if being responsible for more than 370 third- through fifth-graders weren't already a huge weight to carry, Witterstaetter began her journey as a principal in July 2020, having to navigate the murky waters of COVID-19.
"In your head you think you're ready for the role, but with COVID it was just uncharted territory," she said.
Witterstaetter began as principal with the introduction of virtual learning while trying to mitigate staffing issues brought on by COVID.
"I feel like that year she came in as our lighthouse. When you think about the purpose of a light, she was our guide. During the pandemic we were lost and in a sense it was a dark time for our school and education as a whole," Assistant Principal Kedrick Jones said.
The campus has returned to some normalcy, so Witterstaetter now looks forward to developing as an administrator.
"Each year has brought in so much new learning," she said. "The best part of everything is seeing the growth of the students and teachers, and I am very proud of the work they put in every day."
Witterstaetter has been with TISD for more than 20 years.
"I've had the pleasure to work alongside some of the best of the best," she said. "From the beginning of my career I was surrounded by good mentors that allowed me to grow even in the most challenging times."
In 2003, she began working as a receptionist and then worked in various positions across TISD campuses as a Volunteers in Public Schools campus contact, an attendance clerk and an administrative assistant.
"Each position gave me the unique opportunity to learn and grow as a professional," she said.
During her time in various school administrative positions, Witterstaetter pursued her teaching degree. In 2007, she graduated with an Associate of Arts from Texarkana College, and in 2009, she earned a Bachelor of General Studies with a concentration in mathematics from A&M-Texarkana.
"I was one of the first to do the pathway to education cohort, which allowed paraprofessionals to go to school, and through that program I earned an associate's and bachelor's degree here in Texarkana."
The program enabled Witterstaetter to finally have her own classroom. She began at Texas Middle School as a seventh-grade math teacher and would stay in the role for several years.
In 2013, she graduated with a master's degree in educational administration from A&M-Texarkana and eventually became assistant principal at Nash Elementary.
"One of my accomplishments I was most proud of was being named TEPSA's Region 8 Assistant Principal of the Year 2020," she said.
Community service is part of Witterstaetter's mission as a leader. The 2019 Leadership Texarkana graduate is a member of the Junior League of Texarkana, the Tough Kookie organization, Northeast Texas Alliance of Black School Educators and Texas Elementary Principals and Supervisors Association.
"I believe we all have a job to give back to our community," Witterstaetter said. "Someone invested in me, and so I pay it forward by investing in other people, as well."
Being involved in various civic organizations has allowed Witterstaetter to see what Texarkana has to offer and how the community can keep young adults here. Her hope is that more businesses will cultivate relationships with adolescents in the community and give them opportunities and experience to be involved members of society.
As a mother of three -- one enrolled in Texarkana College, another a senior in high school and her youngest in sixth grade -- Witterstaetter is driven to support her family and show by example how they can become productive citizens. Her daughter is especially passionate about philanthropy.
"Her being able to come with me to volunteer in the community has sparked her fire," Witterstaetter said. "She loves to volunteer. She loves mission work."
Part of her passion to keep moving forward is to lift up other people and hopefully ignite a fire in others. She does this on campus with her weekly memos full of positive quotes and celebrations and through her yearly vision boards full of affirmations, uplifting phrases and goals that she and her staff can reflect upon.
"When someone says, 'You can do this,' it really helps you push forward," she said.