Our children are the future, and their education is paramount to their success. As a parent of a 5th Grade student at Sherman Elementary, I have witnessed first-hand the positive impact that Mrs. Janet Gates-Cortez has had on my child's growth both personally and developmentally.  

As Interim Principal, she helped our community navigate the abrupt change in leadership we all experienced gracefully and maintains a calming demeanor in the face of adversity.  I also have experience in working with Mrs. Cortez to resolve a more extreme issue involving my student and was impressed with how supported my student felt regarding the measures that were implemented..  I feel confident  in her abilities to find resolution and appreciate her focus on restorative justice.  Her commitment to fostering an inclusive and welcoming learning environment is evident in the way she interacts with students, teachers, staff, parents and guardians alike.

Mrs. Cortez’s dedication to our children’s education and well being is thoughtful and caring; she consistently goes above and beyond to ensure our students feel valued and supported in their educational journey. She is tasked with the safety and security of 424 Sherman students and I believe she takes that role very seriously.  Her passion for teaching extends beyond just academics; she also focuses on developing well-rounded individuals who are prepared for life outside of elementary school.  

We believe that Mrs. Cortez's continued leadership at Sherman Elementary is important for maintaining a positive trajectory towards academic excellence and personal growth for all students.

This petition aims to share the voice from parents, guardians, staff, teachers and community members who support Mrs. Janet Gates-Cortez's continuation as principal of Sherman Elementary and avoid further disruption to the educational environment that has seen continued change since Covid.

Let us learn and grow from each other despite differing opinions as we move forward, holding people accountable for the things they control.  Its my hope we can all come together amid conflict and find solutions to any issues that interfere with our students learning journey.  We as parents must also remember our students are always listening so this is an opportunity to lead by example and maintain a positive learning environment for them at school.  We can find common ground and begin new conversations surrounding solutions while valuing leaders like Mrs. Cortez who make such a significant difference in our children’s lives!

Please sign this petition in support of Mrs. Cortez!

Letters of support for Mrs. Janet Gates-Cortez