Mayra Ramirez was at Muller Elementary when it opened more than two decades ago. As the principal of one of the county’s biggest elementary schools over the years, she endeared herself to teachers, students, staff and parents.
“She is leaving big shoes to fill,” said Erica Sicairos, third grade pathfinder and dual language teacher, and parent of a fifth grader who goes to Muller. “She has been my boss for 21 years, so it’s been a bit heart-wrenching.”
“She is an excellent leader, very caring and nurturing. There are so many things we have been through as a campus. We are a unique school. She was a great mentor to all of us,” she added.
Ramirez, who started her career as a fifth-grade teacher in the United Independent School District 38 years ago, spent one of her last days at work this summer proudly leading a tour of improvements at Muller. Three important projects - a new playground, a privacy fence and new picnic tables - were completed under her tenure and with the help of UISD Board Secretary Michelle Molina of District 6.
Ramirez said the improvements couldn’t have happened without Molina.
“Mrs. Molina is always looking out for the safety of the kids and the success of the students. Anytime we need anything, she always reaches out to us. She wanted to make sure the kids were safe,” Ramirez said.
Molina said Ramirez will be greatly missed.
“Mrs. Ramirez would go above and beyond for her staff, parents and children. As a Falcon mom, I personally witnessed how students would run up to her for morning hugs. Since joining the UISD Board I’ve had the great privilege of joining Mrs. Ramirez to make house visits over the holidays. Parents loved to see her and welcomed us with open arms,” Molina said.
“Her heart of gold, passion and transformational leadership will be deeply missed. The last three years we worked hard towards completing many campus improvements and I’m thankful we got to complete them by the end of her tenure. On behalf of all your Falcon Families … We Love you and wish you the very best in all your future endeavors,” Molina added.
Ramirez leaves behind a legacy of excellence.
“The kids are well-rounded students where they are academically successful and they are compassionate and they help one another. We led them to be great community leaders. They are giving back and that is a sense of what we have and what we have built,” Ramirez said.
“The teachers, faculty and staff … Everyone is compassionate toward the kids. They are nurturing and we are a big family. Like the proverb says, ‘It takes a village to raise a child’,” she added.
Ramirez said she was blessed to have worked 38 years in “this amazing district.” Everyone has been extremely supportive from the administrators to her colleagues at the school.
“The district supports what you do and you take pride and they take pride. It’s not just about my school. It’s what I can do for the district,” Ramirez said.
Elsie Martinez, second grade dual language teacher at Muller, has completed 16 years at the campus.
“She is a great leader. She has been here for me for 16 years, not only professional wise in my professional development, but she is always here to support us whenever we have any questions, doubts, concerns, personal issues … we know we can come to her to support us for anything,” Martinez said.
Martinez added that she was nervous about working with somebody new but Ramirez put her at ease.
“She came in like she always does and said, ‘You’re going to be fine. You do what you do and you’re going to be fine.’ That’s the trust she has in us and that’s the confidence she gives to us individuals,” she said.
“She has given me the opportunity to grow, she always inspires me, she supports me, says, ‘What do you need … Come ask me. I will be there for you, I will support you, I will provide you with the resources you need.’ So I have that trust in that I know I can come to her for whatever it is,” Martinez said.
She added that the culture of Muller is special and she thanks Ramirez for that.
“I think it’s very important that when you work somewhere, that you truly love what you do and where you’re at and it’s funny because a lot of people tell us it’s in the Mines Road area and the traffic is bad .. if you love it, it doesn’t really matter and Ramirez has built that community for me and we spend more time here than we do at home here in summer school,” Martinez said.
“I love it here. I love working with her .. that’s the school culture she has built .. we’re a family … and we know that so I have never felt the need to leave or want to leave,” Martinez said. “All 3 of my kids have been here so not only do I know what it’s like to work with her as a teacher but as a parent. So I put my full trust in her as an administrator. I knew my kids’ teachers would be fully supported and I knew they would be amazing teachers.”
Ramirez, meanwhile, knows Muller Elementary will be in good hands.
“I am leaving my kids to Ms. Zamora, who will be the principal, in safe hands,” she said.
UISD promoted Adriana Zamora to principal of Muller. Zamora, who served as the assistant principal at Muller for the past five years, brings nearly two decades of experience and a deep-rooted passion for education to her new leadership role.
Left to Right: Prekinder Teacher Pamela San Miguel, Prekinder Teacher Christine Lozano, Associate Superintendent Administration/Operations Services Mike Garza, UISD Board Secretary Michelle Molina of District 6, Retired Muller Elementary Principal Mayra Ramirez, Associate Superintendent for District Administration and Student Services Rebecca Coss-Morales, Muller Principal Adriana Zamora, Executive Director of Elementary Education Zaida Gonzalez, and Superintendent Dr. Gerardo Cruz.
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