Anne Granado

Assistant Principal, Margaret Fischer Davis Elementary School

Margaret Fischer Davis Elementary is a place where every child is truly seen and staff feel valued, and is a place where Anne Granado truly enjoys her position as an Assistant Principal. “We focus on meeting each student right where they are. We don’t just assume kids know what to do—we intentionally teach expectations and provide support when they struggle, whether that’s with behavior, academics, or emotions. Our goal is to give them the tools they need now and for the future,” Anne says. “It’s also a place where the staff feel valued. At Pleasant Grove, we celebrate our teachers and team members throughout the year. Everyone pitches in—whether it’s helping with an after-school event, filling in for a teacher who had an important appointment, or opening doors in the car line. That hands-on, all-in attitude creates a culture where people want to help and support one another. It’s what makes our school feel more like a family.”

Anne loved and enjoyed school while growing up in Atlanta, Texas. “Some of my core memories include singing in Mrs. Clayton’s musicals in elementary school; reading classics like Where the Red Fern Grows in my fifth grade English class; singing the ‘Friday Song’ in Mrs. Rice’s social studies class; twirling in halftime shows while Mr. Sutton led the band onto the field; correcting essays in Mrs. Trumble’s high school English class; and looking forward to teachers like Mr. Tomberlain, Mrs. Clements, Mrs. King, Mrs. Henrico, Mrs. Potter, Mrs. Frank, Mrs. Bates, and so many others. I was lucky to have so many wonderful teachers throughout my school years,” she says.

After graduating from high school, Anne attended Ouachita Baptist University and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in English and h     istory in 2006. Although Anne did not grow up wanting to be a teacher, her perspective changed during her first job post-college. Anne began working at Arkansas Business Publishing Group in Little Rock, Arkansas. Even though she enjoyed her job, she felt a pull back to education. She says, “It might sound a little silly, but I truly felt called to be in the classroom, helping students feel successful, not just in schoolwork, but in how they saw themselves. I struggled with self-esteem as a teenager, and the teachers who saw me, supported me, and loved me made a huge difference in my life. I wanted to be that person for someone else.”

Anne returned to school at the University of Arkansas in Little Rock in 2008, where she earned her master’s degree in education. “That program required me to complete all certifications and tests in Arkansas,” Anne says. She accepted a job teaching English at Texas High School and immediately started the testing and certification process in Texas. She taught at Texas High School for 12 years. In 2020, she became a Curriculum Coach for Texas Middle School, a role that eventually expanded to support multiple campuses within the district. Then, in 2024, she accepted the role of Assistant Principal at Margaret Fischer Davis Elementary in Pleasant Grove. She has recently completed her Principal as Instructional Leader certification through the University of Texas at Tyler and is starting her second year at this campus. She also holds an English as a Second Language supplemental certification.

Anne believes that education is one of the most critical institutions in our society, and that became even more evident during the pandemic shutdown. Anne says, “Schools do so much more than teach academics. They help children develop the social and emotional skills they need to navigate life, form meaningful relationships, and grow into capable, confident individuals. As a mother, I see firsthand how important school is to my own children’s development and well-being. That’s what drives me—being part of making school a great place for other people’s children, too.”

When Anne was in the classroom, her teaching style centered on connection and modeling. “I started by getting to know my students—who they were, what they cared about, and how they learned best. I also tried to show them my love for learning and the written word      because I believe enthusiasm is contagious. Whatever I asked my students to do, I did right alongside them. As an administrator, my style is very similar to how I was as a teacher—hands-on, supportive, and deeply invested in the people I serve. I believe in setting clear expectations, following through with consistency, and showing up alongside teachers to support them however I can,” Anne says. “I also lead with empathy. I know teaching is hard, and I want my staff to feel valued, trusted, and heard. Ultimately, my goal is to establish a school where teachers genuinely enjoy teaching and students feel secure, supported, and successful.

Being adaptable to diverse learners      is a must for any educator, and Anne shares her experience learning that valuable lesson. “As a teacher, I used to think that I needed to treat every student the same. But over time—and especially as a parent—I’ve learned that fairness isn’t about sameness; it’s about giving each child what they need to be successful. Some students require additional support, and that’s perfectly okay. I realized that my goal needed to change so that I could meet students where they were, even if that meant the path looked a little different for each one,” she says. “Now, as an administrator, I approach things the same way. There’s no one-size-fits-all plan. I work to ensure that every student,      and every teacher,      is supported in the way that’s most meaningful and effective for them. It may look different day to day, but the goal is always the same: success for every child.”

Anne’s professional goal is currently to continue growing as an administrator. Still relatively new to the role, she recognizes that she has much more to learn. Her goal is to continue building her knowledge and skills so she can better support students, teachers, and families. Beyond that, she prays that God will lead her to whatever the next step is—wherever she can continue to grow and use her experience to make a difference for others.

Did you know this about Anne?

She spent over a decade writing for a magazine, is a huge foodie, and has traveled to France, Italy, England, Switzerland, and Mexico!

This summer, she spent time at the lake and      water park with her husband, Jason, and their two daughters, Maren (8) and Iris (5). The family also enjoys     grilling outside, watching old movies, riding bikes, painting, and coloring.    

She loves to play song-trivia with her husband.  They will start a song and see if the other person can guess it – many songs from the late 90s and early 2000s. She is a lyric pro!

One of her favorite quotes is from Ken Blanchard and says, “Servant leadership is all about making the goals clear and then rolling your sleeves up and doing whatever it takes to help people win.”

If she could take students on any field trip in the world, it would be to a place that encourages hands-on exploration, such as the Mid-America Science Museum. “It’s a place where they can learn about outer space, gravity, light, sound, and so many other fascinating parts of our world. More than anything, I’d want the trip to ignite their curiosity and show them just how fun learning can be.” Anne says.

Anne’s role model is the current principal of her school, Brittany Beaird. “Brittany leads by example—she’s the first one to arrive, the last to leave, and never asks anyone to do something she wouldn’t do herself. She takes care of her people, makes thoughtful decisions, and always keeps students at the center. She’s also not afraid to try new things or challenge herself to keep growing, which pushes the rest of us to do the same,” Anne exclaims.