Music that Describes Nate
Nate Gonzales was nominated by his colleague, Samantha Wisener.
"Mr. Gonzales, or, as we call him, Mr. G, has brought new life and an uplifting vibe to our middle school culture," said Wisener. "Mr. G. began his leadership role two years ago, advancing from assistant principal to principal. He works with two assistant principals in his leadership role. I began working with him when he was an assistant principal, and now I have been under his leadership for two years."
His leadership is based on building positive relationships with students. Mr. G goes above and beyond expectations by building authentic, long-lasting student-principal relationships. He truly cares about each child. He also brings his positive attitude to work every day. He went out of his way to be cheerful and engaging, and, despite the other hardships he was going through, he put in the work and cared about everyone.
Mr. G is exemplary of what a leader looks, acts, and thinks like. Mr. G acts as a father figure to many, making sure they have food, clothes, and listening to them and their day.
"I think that Mr. G has brought life, light, and hope to OMS. He created a catchphrase for the school after hearing a parent at a parent-teacher conference say how joyful the school felt under his leadership and vision: 'OMS is the place to be!' He has made a huge difference, both in the students', staff, and teachers' day-to-day lives," said Wisener.
Mr. G is my dad. I had the unique experience of being both his student and later working under his leadership at the middle school. As a paraprofessional, I witnessed firsthand the dedication, consistency, and care he brings to his work, and the impact he has on students every single day.
He is currently the principal at Ortega, but I have seen his journey from a P.E. teacher through every role he held on his path to becoming an assistant principal and then principal. I attended Ortega Middle School, and from my time as a student to my time working there, the culture, environment, and overall energy have transformed in remarkable ways.
Ortega is now a place where staff feel supported and students genuinely want to be. His leadership didn’t just change my life—I have seen him change the lives of countless students, families, and staff within the school community
Mr. Gonzales is the definition of a transformational school leader. In the two years he has served as Principal, he has successfully infused our middle school with an entirely new life and an uplifting, positive culture. This change is not merely superficial; it is felt deeply by staff, teachers, and especially students, who now proudly declare, "OMS is the place to be!"
What makes Mr. Gonzales truly exceptional is his authentic leadership style, which is rooted in building genuine, positive relationships. He doesn't just manage; he connects. He goes above and beyond the expectations of his role, stepping in as a mentor and often a father figure to many students. His daily commitment to checking on their well-being, ensuring they have necessities like food and clothes, and simply lending an ear, demonstrates a level of care that is rare and invaluable.
Despite any personal hardships, Mr. Gonzales consistently approaches his work with a cheerful, engaging, and dedicated attitude. He is truly exemplary of what a leader looks, acts, and thinks like, modeling empathy, resilience, and vision.
Mr. Nate Gonzales is a monumental force for good in our district, and he has undoubtedly changed the trajectory of countless lives at OMS. He is incredibly deserving of this recognition, and I am proud to have him as a colleague.
I have a great photo of Mr. Gonzales serving up pumpkin pie to all the students last week, I would love to upload it but can't find a way (would love to know how). So awesome that our fantastic leader is right in the thick of it serving up care and pie.
Nate has been a great leader for the entire OMS staff as well as our students. I have had Nate as an assistant principal as well as our buildings main principal. In both roles Nate was fantastic to work with. My first year at the school Nate was instrumental in helping me become a better educator. As the main principal of our building Nate has done a fantastic job of creating a welcoming and positive atmosphere to our school and community. Nate is very deserving of an award like this.
It's a privilege to work with Mr. G, he's always with a smile. Thank you Mr. G for being such a great teammate and person to work with.
Mr. G creates an environment where staff feel supported, trusted, and valued. He goes above and beyond to make sure we have what we need to help our students succeed, and he’s always there with a smile, encouragement, and a listening ear. He is a great leader to our students and he has built great relationships with them!
I am a veteran teacher of 26 years. I have been through seven different principals during this time. Mr. Gonzales is at the top of the list for me as an excellent principal. He is compassionate and caring. Something that stands out with me is his concern for his staff. He understands that a happy staff is a successful staff. He listens, offers suggestions, and makes the hard decisions when they need to be made. I feel valued and cared for by him.
I am a new teacher at OMS this year and he has made it "the place to be!". His continual encouragement, his positive outlook at where we are today and his belief that the future looks even brighter makes it a place I thoroughly enjoy and look forward to coming each and every work day. This attitude is infectious and it is spreading; the staff, the students, and I believe the families and community can feel that Nate's leadership is exactly what we need at this school! We are so stinkin lucky to have him, I am quite grateful!
Mr. G's leadership is fundamentally rooted in building genuine, positive relationships with every student. He doesn't just meet expectations; he consistently goes above and beyond to forge authentic, long-lasting student-principal connections. His deep commitment ensures that he truly cares about the well-being and success of each child in the school. Relationship-Driven Leader: His approach centers on establishing meaningful, enduring bonds with students.
Exceptional Dedication: Mr. G consistently exceeds expectations in his role.
Unwavering Positivity: He maintains a cheerful and engaging demeanor regardless of circumstances.
Profound Care: He is genuinely invested in the personal growth and well-being of every student.
Mr G. is a classic example of taking a team from worst to first.
Mr. G is simply the best!
He is supportive, outgoing, and the ultimate team player. His positive energy and dedication make a huge difference every day. Both students and staff are truly lucky to have him leading our school. We couldn’t ask for a better principal! Mr. G is a tremendous asset to our school community. Go Mr. G!
