At home in Cuero

By Robert Proctor

The Cuero Record

Despite possibly being coerced against entering education as a career, Jennifer Dracos always knew it was the life for her and has spent the last 20-plus years in this profession. Following the previous seven as an elementary and high school principal in Cumby, she’s now the principal at Cuero Junior School.

Growing up with her mom as a teacher, she knew it was the perfect fit for her, as well.

“I’m pretty sure she probably advised me not to become a teacher,” Dracos recalled. “From the time I was little, I knew that’s what I was going to do. I would line the babies and make checklists and put sticker charts and teach my baby dolls. I never really wanted to be anything else. I always wanted to be a teacher.”

After graduating from high school in Greenville, Dracos earned her Bachelor’s Degree from Texas A&M-Commerce. Finishing her degree in December, she started in January at an elementary school providing intensive instruction for a semester to students who didn’t pass their reading inventory. That first stop was memorable for her.

“I still have my first evaluation, because it said that I was more impressive than most of the seasoned teachers on the campus,” Dracos said. “I hung it on my parents’ refrigerator.”

Several years into teaching, one of Dracos’ principals approached her about obtaining her principal’s certification, something she initially wasn’t compelled to do.

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