SAN ANTONIO — Charity Nathaniel made sure her staff was ready for the new school year. 

She is the principal at San Antonio ISD’s Sarah King Elementary, a dual-language school that has a few extra students enrolled this year—at least 110 more.

The school is growing because SAISD overall is shrinking.

Enrollment there increased from 590 to over 700 because this school welcomed students from neighboring school Storm Elementary. That school was permanently shut down after SAISD’s school board voted to close 15 schools last year. 

Nathaniel’s challenge for now is to make sure students forced to move there don’t feel out of place. That goes for teachers, too.

“There is a teacher shortage, and I understand that anybody who comes to lend their talents to be an educator. they have to have their heart in the right place,” Nathaniel said. 

Pre-k teacher Miryam Gonzalez came from Storm and feels the new team of teachers is blending well. 

“Us as new teachers, we are also contributing to the culture by bringing in the previous ideas and actives from our previous schools,” Gonzalez said. 

Even though the schools are just a mile apart and divided by train tracks, it can still be a major adjustment for families in this community, where 98% are considered economically disadvantaged.

For this team of teachers and staff, it’s vital to keep that in mind.  

“Overall, it’s the same type of welcoming families, similar teachers, and I believe it’s up to the teacher to open the doors of communication and acceptance from everyone,” Gonzalez said. 

Nathaniel says that nourishing culture starts with herself. She believes Sarah King’s staff, and the students they serve, will be resilient. 

“As far as academically they are growing, and they are showing even though they are from the West Side, they can do anything,” Nathaniel said.