KISD’s Slaton receives doctorate
By Barbara Gartman
Monitor Staff Writer
KEMP–Learning goes hand-in-hand with living and working, leading and serving.
Kemp Intermediate School assistant principal Joanna Slaton recently demonstrated this when she received her doctorate in education from Stephen F. Austin University.
Her dissertation centered on the leadership characteristics of women administrators in education through a number of interviews with female superintendents throughout the state.
Dr. Slaton spent two and a half years working on her doctorate and hopes to become a school superintendent someday.
Working for her doctorate was challenging as well as exciting, she said.
“The greatest aspect was the focus on leadership,” Slaton explained.
Herself a 1983 Kemp High School graduate, Slaton has spent the last 20 years in the field of education, earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Tyler.
Teaching has always been both exciting and challenging for the veteran teacher who began her career at Brownsboro High School in 1989.
Her next assignment took her to Eustace High School, where she remained for eight years.
One of her motivations for being a teacher grew from her love of literature.
“I loved reading, and I wanted the opportunity to get the kids excited about reading and writing (as a teacher),” Slaton said.
It was a passion she wanted to share with youngsters, which she did and had fun doing it.
When a teaching post opened up at Mabank Independent School District, she accepted, spending 10 years there before transferring to Kemp Intermediate School two years ago.
KIS has an estimated 380 students in fourth through sixth grades, and Slaton is right at home among them.
“Everyday is a learning experience. I’m in my element,” she said. “I’m still teaching kids about positive choices.”
Discipline is a big part of her responsibilities.
“When there has been a behavioral problem, we talk about what they did and what is a better way to handle the cause,” Slaton explained.
Communication and relationship building are two of her strongest skills, which she employs everyday, she said.
She and her husband, Roy, have been married for 21 years.
Their 18-year-old daughter, Lauren, is a freshman at Texas A&M.
A 2008 Mabank High School graduate, Lauren was a member of the golf team that competed at the state level last year. Her mother is also an avid golfer.
“Eventually, my career goal is to be a superintendent,” Dr. Joanna Slaton said.
While working toward her degree, she recalled a quote from a pastor, “Greatness is not something to strive for, but something to serve for.”
“I will always remember that saying,” she said.
She will try incorporate the meaning into all her goals, especially her immediate desire.
“I would like to set up a system where discipline is more consistent, and positive behavior is reinforced,” she said.
“And I want to improve communication and relationships with all stakeholders (students, teachers and parents).”
Slaton was recognized for her accomplishments at Tuesday’s Kemp Independent School District board meeting.