Principal
Holly Johnson-Troncoso
Holly Johnson-Troncoso
It is my honor to serve as the Principal of Estes McDoniel Elementary – An International School. In truth, it is a dream position for me after having worked in the field of foreign language and global studies education during my entire career. But it is even more. McDoniel is a unique community of educators, educational support staff, students, parents and community members. Together we do the work to provide an education that will serve the whole child preparing to enter a competitive, challenging and changing world.
Beginning with the 2003-2004 school year, our school was given the opportunity to carry the status of an International School. McDoniel is one of only a few schools in CCSD, the fifth largest school district in the nation, to be so honored and challenged. This means that our incoming kindergarteners of 2003 and the students who have followed them will be literate and expanding their fluency in two languages as they complete their fifth grade year. (You can learn more about our International components by visiting that link.)
In addition to immersion second language education, our program places an emphasis on world geography and world history. Every year, our students do comparative studies of the United States and cultures around the world. As part of this effort, we have created a partnership with schools in Spanish-speaking countries and have experienced video conferencing with students in those schools.
Another exceptional aspect of this school is our nationally recognized science/marine lab. Thanks to our PTA, students receive weekly life science instruction in the lab with a concentration on sea life. Each year fifth grade students are trained as tour guides and lab technicians. Hundreds of at-risk students from around the school district tour our lab each year taking back with them concepts and sights that few have had the opportunity to experience.
We are indeed a community of high achievers. We support one another with the belief that we can all achieve – as students, as teachers, as administrators, and as community members - and I count my blessings in having been selected to lead this wonderful school.
Beginning with the 2003-2004 school year, our school was given the opportunity to carry the status of an International School. McDoniel is one of only a few schools in CCSD, the fifth largest school district in the nation, to be so honored and challenged. This means that our incoming kindergarteners of 2003 and the students who have followed them will be literate and expanding their fluency in two languages as they complete their fifth grade year. (You can learn more about our International components by visiting that link.)
In addition to immersion second language education, our program places an emphasis on world geography and world history. Every year, our students do comparative studies of the United States and cultures around the world. As part of this effort, we have created a partnership with schools in Spanish-speaking countries and have experienced video conferencing with students in those schools.
Another exceptional aspect of this school is our nationally recognized science/marine lab. Thanks to our PTA, students receive weekly life science instruction in the lab with a concentration on sea life. Each year fifth grade students are trained as tour guides and lab technicians. Hundreds of at-risk students from around the school district tour our lab each year taking back with them concepts and sights that few have had the opportunity to experience.
We are indeed a community of high achievers. We support one another with the belief that we can all achieve – as students, as teachers, as administrators, and as community members - and I count my blessings in having been selected to lead this wonderful school.
Estes McDoniel Elementary - An International School
