Aug. 7, 2012 - With the beginning of the 2012-13 school year, Pattie Holecek will serve as the new principal at Mueller Elementary. Holecek is the second principal at Mueller, which opened in the Klein ISD during the 2009-10 school year.

“Working at Mueller is an exciting opportunity,” Holecek expressed. “It’s a great school and one with a lot of neighborhood support. I am excited for the new challenge in my life and we are going to keep moving forward with the great things already happening on campus."

In the fall of 1987, Holecek took her first position as a classroom teacher at Liberty Elementary in Liberty, Texas. In 1989, she arrived in the Klein ISD as a teacher at Haude Elementary, and in 1991 taught kindergarten at Lemm Elementary. In 2007, she entered her first administrative role as an assistant principal at McDougle Elementary, and in 2011 became an assistant principal at Kaiser Elementary. After serving 25 years as an educator, Holecek said working in the district and becoming an administrator was only natural.

"The family atmosphere that you get at Klein ISD is something that you can’t match anywhere else,” Holecek said. “I taught two years in another district, and you can’t match the culture of Klein.”

Holecek received a Bachelor of Science in elementary education from Southwestern University, a master’s degree from Stephen F. Austin a year later, and in 2006, she attained her principal certification from Region 4 Education Service Center (ESC). Mueller has received the No Place for Hate designation by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) every year the school has been open. As principal, Holecek has set goals for herself, her staff, and the students at Mueller to continue this in 2012-13.

“One of my goals is for our students to continue to develop good character,” Holecek said. “It’s very important to have students not just learning academics, but how to be good citizens.”

Beyond the campus, Holecek enjoys running and during summers spends time taking in the sun and reading. She is also very family oriented and loves to spend time with her husband, Joe, and their four children, Sarah, Josh, Julie and Kellie. All four of their children graduated in the Klein ISD.

Getting to know Principal Holecek:

Q: If you could be any storybook character, who would you choose?
A: Mary Poppins.

Q: What is your all-time favorite movie?
A: Sweet Home Alabama. I’m a big Reese Witherspoon fan.

Q: What is your favorite vacation spot?
A: Key West, Fla. is my go-to-spot. It takes me to the beach and I’m a sun person. And then you can ride the boats and snorkel too!

Q: What is your favorite desert?
A: Angel food cake with fruit on top.

Q: What is your favorite sport to watch?
A: Pittsburgh Steelers football!