Hello Houston Family,
I am honored to serve as the Principal of Houston Elementary School and be a part of a hard-working, dedicated community of individuals working independently and collaboratively to tap into the excellence in every child. I join the Houston community with 15 years of experience as an educator in DCPS. My education career started at Ketcham Elementary School in southeast DC, Ward 8, where I served as a 4th through 6th-grade classroom teacher. I dedicated 12 years of service to the Ketcham community as a teacher leader supporting data analysis, a TLI RtI/Data Coach, and a Literacy Instructional Coach. My experience working in southeast prepared me to step into my next role, serving as an Assistant Principal at Miner Elementary School. As Assistant Principal, I oversaw Instruction, SEL, and Culture & Climate. My instructional leadership led to significant academic growth, however, I firmly believe that academic achievement is only one aspect of student success. Creating a space where students feel challenged, encouraged, and loved is paramount to helping them reach their full potential. My belief in the importance of social-emotional learning serves as the foundation for the work invested in building a school culture where students were seen, heard and encouraged to developed into their best selves.
Here is a little about me: I moved to the DMV in 2003 from my hometown, the Bronx, New York City. My faith, family and friends have cultivated the person I am today and remain a huge part of my life. I am a Godmother to 5 beautiful children and a pet parent to a spunky Lhasa Apso named Roxie. I love to travel and experience different cultures, reading is one of my favorite things to do, and I am a horror movie fanatic! One of my favorite quotes is “Work without PASSION is slavery” and this quote embodies everything I do. I am passionate about supporting education that unlocks the potential in EVERY child … education that opens the door for children to find the excellence within themselves! And that is our goal at Houston.
I wholeheartedly believe that every student deserves a high-quality education and that only happens when schools and families work together. My vision for Houston is to provide students with an educational experience that inspires and motivates them to be critical thinkers, to advocate for their rights and the rights of others, and to contribute to our global community effectively. Families, teachers, support staff, community members, and administration all play a part in making this vision a reality. Together, we can make a positive difference in our ever-evolving global society.
I'm grateful for the opportunity to work with you and your child to provide a safe and productive learning environment. Please be on the lookout for information on upcoming engagement events. These events will allow us to get to know one another and allow you to share your hopes and dreams for your child and the future of Houston Elementary School.
Enjoy the remaining days of summer!
Camille Townsend, Principal