Meridian ISD

From the Desk of Lizette Paceley: The “D” Nobody Wants

Well… we got a “D.”

And no, not the “diploma” kind, not the “delightful” kind, not even the “donut” kind. The kind of “D” that makes you stare at the ceiling at 2 a.m., replaying every decision you’ve made since the first day of school.

And if the campus is a “D,” then by my math, that makes me a “D” principal. I have only ever made one "D" in my entire life. This is the 2nd. The thought of it makes my skin crawl. But I tell myself that we have to go low before we go high. We have to make our descent up in small steps.

I’ve seen the comments. I’ve heard the chatter. I know there are people out there laughing, pointing fingers, and counting us out. If there's one thing I've learned in Meridian is that we have enough determination as Yellow Jackets that you should NEVER count us out! And to be honest… I can’t wait for us to prove every single one of them wrong.

What they don’t see is the army of teachers staying late, the kids busting their tails, and the staff who care so much they’ll spend their weekends thinking about lesson plans instead of laundry (…most of the time).

But we can’t do this in our own little silos. We need every Yellow Jacket—students, parents, grandparents, alumni, and community members—to suit up, link arms, and push forward.

Because here’s the plan: we’re going to take this “D,” polish it, work it, fight for it, and turn it into the kind of grade that makes people wonder what on earth got into Meridian ISD. Spoiler alert—it’ll be the same thing we’ve had all along: grit, heart, and a hive that refuses to quit.

So yes, for now, I’m your “D” principal. Determined. Devoted. Dead set on getting this right.

— Dr. Paceley


Proud Yellow Jacket!