Amidst a centennial shift, Loretto has been presented with a plethora of changes, one of which being the appointment of its new principal, Mrs. Nancy Tovar.
After former Principal Homero Silva retired, an open position needed to be filled.
Mrs. Tovar, along with several other candidates went through a rigorous interview process, and she came through as the ideal candidate.
She was appointed and welcomed by Loretto to take on the role of principal.
Together, her experience and faith culminate to add a new “wing” to Loretto’s community.
Experience
At the age of 29, Mrs. Tovar started her career as a first-grade teacher for EPISD.
There she first established a connection with her students, which has remained prevalent through the other roles she had.
After years of teaching, Mrs. Tovar became a principal for EPISD, a position that she held for 11 years, before becoming the Executive Director of Human Resources for EPISD.
In having this position, Mrs. Tovar was in charge of hiring personnel for the district, a position distinctive from her previous ones.
Prior to applying for high school principal at Loretto, Tovar worked as the Assistant Superintendent for EPISD for a total of four years.
EPISD is where Mrs. Tovar spent her entire educational career, and she owes her experience to that district.
Vocational origin
Education is one of the pillars of Mrs. Tovar’s life, as it is in her blood.
Mrs. Tovar said, “I come from a family of educators, as both of my parents were teachers.
I was the type of kid that played “school”, and I’ve always known that I had an innate love of working alongside kids.
My heart will always be with elementary kids, as I worked with them for a good portion of my career.”
From a young age, Mrs. Tovar has been a leader in the realm of education, and she continues to lead.
Shifting schools
A shift from administering public schools to administering a private school is one that Mrs. Tovar owes to one component.
Mrs. Tovar said, “God.
God has a plan for everyone, and His plan for me brought me here.”
Mrs. Tovar is the mother of a Cathedral High School graduate, and she got to see firsthand what being a part of a private school entails.
Mrs. Tovar said, “I really admired the college readiness and especially loved the religious formation presented to him by a private education.
Those are the reasons why I am proud to be a Catholic educator.”
Beyond the wings
Despite being a busy principal, Mrs. Tovar finds time to pursue the other foundational elements of her life.
Mrs. Tovar said, “I am very close to my family, and the majority of my free time goes to them.”
She is the grandmother of a three-year-old grandson, and a one-year-old granddaughter, who she hopes is a future Loretto angel.
“Being a grandmother is very important to me, and I dedicate all that I can to be a good one.”
Mrs. Tovar additionally has a close bond with her parents, as they have always been by her side.
Mrs. Tovar said, “My parents are a big and influential part of my life as well, and I am blessed to have them close to me.”
Mrs. Tovar considers herself family-oriented, as her family is deeply rooted in her life.
Meeting a milestone
With Loretto’s centennial milestone being celebrated this year, Mrs. Tovar feels grateful to contribute to a fraction of it.
Mrs. Tovar said, “It’s humbling to be Loretto’s principal, and I feel honored that God put me here now.
When I think of iconic El Paso institutions, I think of Loretto.
The fact that 100 years of education have taken place in these walls speaks for itself.
That is a definite accomplishment that not all reach.”
Many components make up Loretto’s success, and Mrs. Tovar believes one of them is the people.
Mrs. Tovar said, “It’s beautiful to see the symbiotic relationship between students and teachers, and that is part of what makes Loretto so special.
God favors this place, and you feel it here.
This school has kept true to its mission and vision for all students.”
Fulfilling a legacy
A legacy is a notable impact created as a result of a person’s life, and Mrs. Tovar contemplates her own personal legacy.
Mrs. Tovar said, “I don’t want to be presumptuous and fill in the blank for God, because only He knows what my legacy and purpose is.
But if there are any takeaways to be had, I want people to remember me as someone who cared about my students and the people whom I have the privilege of working with.
Additionally, that I was a woman who walked by faith and tried to stay true to what God intended for me.”
Part of this theme of legacy ties into Mrs. Tovar’s views on Loretto’s legacy as well.
Mrs. Tovar said, “The legacy is on you all: the readers of the paper, the students, the graduates.
The value of giving back is instilled in the alumnae, and I’ve realized that Loretto is a generational institution.
Many people are called to safeguard it and keep the fire going by preserving its culture, history, and legacy.
I feel like one of the ones God has called to safeguard it.”
Mrs. Tovar is a leader ideal to nurture Loretto’s ever-growing community, deeming her a part of Loretto’s legacy.
While she primarily holds the title of principal, “safeguarder” is also a position that she obtained.
