{"id":3108,"date":"2021-09-27T11:29:50","date_gmt":"2021-09-27T16:29:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/web.risd.org\/schooltestwp3\/?page_id=3108"},"modified":"2026-08-06T11:54:58","modified_gmt":"2026-08-06T16:54:58","slug":"principal","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/schools.risd.org\/MarkTwainES\/principal\/","title":{"rendered":"Principal"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"3108\" class=\"elementor elementor-3108\" data-elementor-post-type=\"page\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-1d764cc elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"1d764cc\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-c0268fd\" data-id=\"c0268fd\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4fb3bc7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"4fb3bc7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/schools.risd.org\/MarkTwainES\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/33\/elementor\/thumbs\/Principal-Photos-Template-Part-2-18-MTE-Principal-Mercy-Nazario-rewmbn9vz878m09ad1o2m3zx0gex6zhmlcaghdtqh0.png\" title=\"MTE Principal Mercy Nazario\" alt=\"MTE Principal Mercy Nazario\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-66 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-c0929a0\" data-id=\"c0929a0\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-565a07d elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"565a07d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Principal Mercy Nazario Cruz<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-addecbe elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"addecbe\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is both an honor and a privilege to serve as the principal of this incredible school community. At Mark Twain, we believe every child deserves a place where they feel valued, challenged, supported, and inspired to reach their fullest potential. Together, we are committed to creating a school where students thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As an educator, I believe that schools are built on meaningful relationships, high expectations, and a shared commitment to excellence. Every student brings unique talents, strengths, and dreams to our campus, and it is our responsibility to nurture those gifts while preparing them to become confident learners, compassionate leaders, and responsible citizens.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Our dedicated teachers and staff work tirelessly to create engaging learning experiences that encourage curiosity, creativity, collaboration, and perseverance. We know that our greatest successes happen when families and schools work together as partners, and I believe that open communication, trust, and mutual respect are the foundation of a strong school community.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This year, as we embrace Richardson ISD&#8217;s <\/span><b>&#8220;Dream On&#8221;<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> theme, we are challenging every Mustang to dream boldly, believe in themselves, and embrace every opportunity to learn and grow. Dreams become reality when they are supported by hard work, kindness, resilience, and a community that believes in one another.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is my privilege to serve alongside an exceptional team of educators who are passionate about making a difference in the lives of children every day. Together, we are committed to ensuring that every Mustang is known, supported, and empowered to succeed.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Thank you for entrusting us with your children. We are honored to partner with you as we build a school community where every student feels a sense of belonging, every family feels welcomed, and every dream has the opportunity to flourish.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I look forward to an incredible year as we continue to <\/span><b>Dream On<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, grow together, and celebrate the success of every Mustang.<\/span><\/p><p><b>With Mustang Pride,<\/b><\/p><p><b>Dr. Mercy Nazario<\/b><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2837e16 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"2837e16\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul><li><a href=\"mailto:Mercy.NazarioCruz@risd.org\">Email<\/a><\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-d8dc24f elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"d8dc24f\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-6f82285\" data-id=\"6f82285\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-62271c99 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"62271c99\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/schools.risd.org\/MarkTwainES\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/33\/elementor\/thumbs\/Rocio-Paredes-circle-scaled-rrilhifw1yae0pfw0qpabk8v613jwojxelovblon5w.png\" title=\"Rocio Paredes\" alt=\"Rocio Paredes\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-66 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-17017946\" data-id=\"17017946\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3d29e0d0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"3d29e0d0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Assistant Principal Rocio Paredes<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-39859bb4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"39859bb4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Roc\u00edo Paredes<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I am incredibly honored to serve as the Assistant Principal at Mark Twain Elementary. It is a true privilege to work alongside our dedicated staff, amazing students, and supportive families as we create a school where every Mustang is encouraged to learn, grow, and dream without limits.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With more than 20 years in education, I have had the privilege of serving students, families, and educators in a variety of roles, including classroom teacher, instructional leader, parent engagement specialist, dean of students, and campus administrator. These experiences have strengthened my passion for building positive relationships, supporting teachers, and creating a school culture where every student can thrive.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I earned my bachelor&#8217;s degree in Liberal Studies with bilingual certification from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.and my Master&#8217;s degree in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from The University of Texas at Arlington.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At Mark Twain Elementary and as a servant leader I am committed to fostering a positive, inclusive culture where students feel safe, respected, and empowered to become their very best. I also believe that our greatest successes happen when educators and families work together with a shared purpose. I look forward to partnering with our Mustang families as we celebrate achievements, overcome challenges, and create meaningful learning experiences for every child.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Outside of school, I enjoy traveling, exploring different cultures, spending time with my family, and making memories with those I love. These experiences remind me to embrace curiosity, celebrate diversity, and continue learning every day.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This year, as we embrace our district&#8217;s <\/span><b>&#8220;Dream On&#8221;<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> theme, I hope to inspire every student to believe in themselves, every teacher to continue making a difference, and every family to know they are an essential part of our Mustang community. Together, we will dream big, work hard, and make this an unforgettable year for every Mustang.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your Proud Assistant principal,<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Roc\u00edo Paredes<\/span><\/p><p><b><i>Every child deserves a champion, every family deserves a partner, and every dream deserves the opportunity to grow.<\/i><\/b><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2e4466dd elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"2e4466dd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul><li><a href=\"mailto:Rocio.Paredes@risd.org\">Email<\/a><\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-2898c89 elementor-hidden-desktop elementor-hidden-tablet elementor-hidden-mobile elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"2898c89\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-8df97d5\" data-id=\"8df97d5\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-aac89a1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"aac89a1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/schools.risd.org\/MarkTwainES\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/33\/elementor\/thumbs\/Tasha-Anthony-ppxn6gkzn55rxg0m7ztw30nuv1bqx3lvt4otdwu5ok.jpeg\" title=\"Tasha Anthony\" alt=\"Tasha Anthony\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-66 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-06467a4\" data-id=\"06467a4\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d844ee4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"d844ee4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Assistant Principal Tasha Anthony<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b9aa845 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"b9aa845\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul><li><a href=\"mailto:Tasha.Anthony@risd.org\">Email Address<\/a><\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-30e6cd3 elementor-hidden-desktop elementor-hidden-tablet elementor-hidden-mobile elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"30e6cd3\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-3ead0b5\" data-id=\"3ead0b5\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-df03b9e elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"df03b9e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Links<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-17908be elementor-icon-list--layout-traditional elementor-list-item-link-full_width elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon-list\" data-id=\"17908be\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon-list.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"elementor-icon-list-items\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fas fa-chevron-right\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Link Item #1<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fas fa-chevron-right\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Link Item #2<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fas fa-chevron-right\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Link Item #3<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Principal Mercy Nazario Cruz It is both an honor and a privilege to serve as the principal of this incredible school community. At Mark Twain, we believe every child deserves a place where they feel valued, challenged, supported, and inspired to reach their fullest potential. Together, we are committed to creating a school where students [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":41,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","site-sidebar-layout":"no-sidebar","site-content-layout":"page-builder","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"disabled","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"disabled","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"default","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"default","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":"","_members_access_role":[],"_members_access_error":""},"class_list":["post-3108","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":false,"thumbnail":false,"medium":false,"medium_large":false,"large":false,"1536x1536":false,"2048x2048":false},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"RISD","author_link":"https:\/\/schools.risd.org\/MarkTwainES\/author\/bprewitt\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"Principal Mercy Nazario Cruz It is both an honor and a privilege to serve as the principal of this incredible school community. At Mark Twain, we believe every child deserves a place where they feel valued, challenged, supported, and inspired to reach their fullest potential. Together, we are committed to creating a school where students&hellip;","publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-09-01 19:43:04","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":"","extraData":[]},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/schools.risd.org\/MarkTwainES\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3108","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/schools.risd.org\/MarkTwainES\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/schools.risd.org\/MarkTwainES\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/schools.risd.org\/MarkTwainES\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/schools.risd.org\/MarkTwainES\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3108"}],"version-history":[{"count":75,"href":"https:\/\/schools.risd.org\/MarkTwainES\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3108\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":40510,"href":"https:\/\/schools.risd.org\/MarkTwainES\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3108\/revisions\/40510"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/schools.risd.org\/MarkTwainES\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3108"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}