Yolanda Lopez Remembers Colleague Pat Carroll

I had a rewarding experience while Pat Carroll was a Vice Principal at Grossmont High School. I was a Spanish teacher who taught not only the Spanish language but the Mexican culture as well. In my academic and fun cultural activities, it was customary for all five of my classes to enjoy taquitos and break the pinatas that were hanging from my classroom ceiling. There were five pinatas for five classes. I always adhered to the educational guidelines with a required Spanish vocabulary test and a short essay….pushing it to the limit but not crossing the line. During these cultural activities, Pat Carroll and Vern Finch would come and stand at my classroom doorway. This meant that they were entitled to some taquitos….. A little friendly extortion, perhaps?????!!!!

In 1988, Pat Carroll was the Principal at Mount Miguel. A Vice Principal position was open and I interviewed for that position. Being a female and native Spanish speaker, it seemed a great fit. I had not spoken with Pat for a few years. A week later, Pat called me to welcome me to his administrative team. This was a beginning of nine years at Mount Miguel. It was an enriching educational experience to observe and learn from one of most exceptional principals in our district. Pat Carroll supported his administrative team as well as his entire staff, both certificated and classified. He was held in high regard by many for his genuine honesty, integrity, and his commitment to high educational goals for Mount Miguel. (Pat’s daughter, Lesa Carroll, attended and graduated from Grossmont High School. Later, Lesa interviewed and was hired as a GIS in our counselling office at Mount Miguel while exemplifying all of Pat’s excellent work ethics.)

I clearly admired and recall how Pat modeled the behavior that he required of others. He expected all his administrative team to be in the office by 7:00 am and no later. Pat would always be at the front counter earlier ready to greet us as we arrived. When time allowed him, Pat was there to greet his teachers and other staff as well. I also admired Pat Carroll for attending evening activities during the week, trying to fit in as many as he could. His loving wife Deannie would many times be at his side.

Pat was asked to the District to be an Assistant Superintendent. It was after this position that Pat retired, and he and Deannie moved to Texas. All three daughters moved to Texas as well, including Lesa. The entire Pat Carroll family, with his loving wife of 70 years, reside in Texas.

My admirable and fond memories of Pat Carroll are indelible. He was, and is, my role model of an excellent principal and an honorable man!