Del Valle ISD Superintendent Dr. Annette Tielle has recently announced she will be retiring in December 2024, closing a chapter that spans over three decades in education. Tielle has dedicated seven years to the Del Valle district, taking the helm as superintendent in May 2020 after serving in various capacities, from interim to deputy superintendent. "It's bittersweet because I love this district and everyone here is my heart from the students. First and foremost, I adore our students, our teachers and staff, and our community and families. We truly have a gem here in Del Valle ISD," she expressed, according to FOX 7 Austin.
Dr. Tielle has helmed the district through periods of significant growth and challenges, always striving to quickly adapt and to provide students with cutting-edge educational facilities. She has overseen partnerships with major companies such as Infineon and Tesla, which have played a pivotal role in creating paths for students straight into internships and noteworthy careers. "We really do have amazing students who are highly qualified, who are getting jobs and internships right out of high school, who are going to four-year colleges, going to Harvard," Tielle told FOX 7 Austin.
In her announcement, Tielle also reflected on the hardships faced by the district, including the pandemic and an ice storm, which had a considerable impact on academic continuity and student mental health. "We put a lot of programs in place to close those gaps, and it's our teachers and staff. They have truly helped us overcome those challenges so that we are closing those gaps," she stated. Her commitment to the district has seen the passing of bond packages totaling nearly $600 million leading to the construction of new facilities and the acquisition of land for future schools, as reported by FOX 7 Austin.
"I look forward to closing my tenure with several more milestones, such as creating a budget for staff raises, opening the P-TECH/ECHS Campus and Gigafactory Studio, launching the Thinkery Community Center, as well as continuing to lead the positive momentum of building our second high school in Whisper Valley," Tielle said Emphasizing the emotional connection she has with the students, she added, "I get emotional about the kids. I want everyone to know how special the kids are in Del Valle ISD, and 32 years, I've never met students like I have here."
