An Interview with Clovis High School Principal Heather Summers
What made you want this position at Clovis High School? Have you ever been in this position before? What do you think are the most important qualities of being a Principal?
My family made the decision to move closer to our family, and Clovis seemed like a great opportunity for us as a family. I have experience being a principal at both the elementary and high school level. I believe the following qualities are important in being a high school principal.
Having a vision of where the school needs to go and how to help everyone to get there.
Being a good listener for students, staff, parents, and community members.
Treating everyone with respect and making fair decisions.
Believing in all- students and staff- pushing everyone to be the best they can be. One day at a time!
Being a positive leader- I want to build a safe, welcoming school where people want to be. I want everyone to have fun while learning and growing.
I strive to be a positive leader, learner, and listener—always putting students at the center while supporting staff and fostering a strong, respectful school culture.
We know education has drastically changed but how do you feel about how education has changed in your lifetime?
Education has changed a lot over the years—probably more than most people realize. Here are a few big shifts I’ve seen in my lifetime:
Technology is everywhere – From chalkboards to smartboards, and now chromebooks and AI, technology has become a daily part of learning especially since COVID. Students can access information instantly, but the crucial part of learning needs to be learning how to think critically about what they find.
Focusing on learning skills, not just the facts – It’s not only about memorizing anymore. Schools now emphasize problem-solving, collaboration, and creativity—skills that prepare students for the real world.
More Support for Students – There’s a stronger focus on mental health, inclusivity, and making sure every student feels like they belong.
Different Pathways to Success – Education used to feel like “one size fits all.” Now, there are more choices—college, trades, online learning, and other paths to match students’ goals. It is important for students to figure out what is best for them and to make it happen.
Students’ voices matter more – Students today have more say in their education and school culture. That’s a big change from the past.
Overall, I would have to say that Education feels faster, more connected, and more focused on the whole student—not just grades.
What school did you teach at before and how does it differ from Clovis High School?
I have been a secondary ELA teacher in El Paso (Franklin High School) and Roswell (Roswell High School). I have also been a K-12 grade ELA Content Specialist for Roswell Schools before moving into Administration. I was an Assistant Principal for three years at Bloomfield High School before becoming the Principal at Naaba Ani Elementary also in Bloomfield. I then became the district’s Director of Curriculum and Instruction before realizing how much I missed being part of a school. So I went back to Bloomfield High School as the Principal for two years.
How has this school affected you in a positive or negative way? Have you gained any skills or lessons from being here at Clovis High-school?
Both students and staff have made me feel welcome as I transitioned into this role. It is a learning experience as every school across the country operates differently, so I appreciate the guidance and support I have received. It is wonderful to see all the different resources such as Mental Health Counselors and Attendance Coaches that we have the opportunity to work with for the well being of our students thinking beyond academics. I truly feel blessed to be part of an amazing staff that truly wants what is best for our students. And it is fun getting to do some fun things….like our Underground Staff Dress Up week before homecoming week:)
The Ralph Waldo Emerson quotation is school oriented ."The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be."Ralph Waldo Emerson. - Do you agree with this quotation? Expand upon your answer.
Yes—I completely agree with this quote. It reminds us that our future isn’t already written for us. We might face challenges, and we might not control everything that happens around us, but we do control our choices, our effort, and our attitude.
In school, that means the kind of student you become depends on what you decide to put into your learning, your relationships, and your goals. If you decide to work hard, show respect, and never give up, you’re shaping yourself into a strong, successful person.
Your destiny isn’t something you wait for—it’s something you build, step by step, through the decisions you make every day.
How would you handle a situation where a new policy is not well-received by the school community, for example the new phone law?
Explain the Why
I’d listen, explain, support, and lead by example so our school can adapt together—even if the change isn’t easy.
Is there anything you would like to say to the student body?
Wildcats, let’s make our school the best place to learn and grow! Respect each other. Stay responsible. Keep it safe. When we all do our part, we create a school we’re proud to be in—let’s bring the energy every day!
PLEASE STORE ALL ELECTRONIC DEVICES AWAY DURING THE DURATION OF YOUR TIME
By: Brooklyn Elliot, Emma Vanderwalker, Kyia Ross-Pierre
The new phone Bills/Laws created to stop students being on their electronic devices. Is it either hurting or helping our students? Both. The schools that are being affected profoundly by the Bills/Laws are New York, Florida, California, and New Mexico.
“Senate Bill 11 sponsored by Sen. Crystal Brantley (R-Elephant Butte), requires all New Mexico school districts and charter schools to develop rules for students’ use during instructional time of cell phones, smart watches, tablets, laptops and gaming devices in an effort to limit distractions and improve student performance.” Teachers have stated, “Cell phone distraction is a major problem in the classroom”(Institute of Education Science :https://ies.ed.gov/rel-northwest/2025/01/cell-phone-policy). Many different school staff have noticed a decline in academic grades, and mental health counselors have noticed a decline in mental health,bullying, cyberbullying, anxiety increase and a decrease in discipline.”
The new Senate Bill 11 passed by the senate and our governor Michelle Lujan Grisham requires students to turn off all electronic devices and stow away in their back pack backs. The exception of the Bill lets students with Chromebooks have them out for class work only and the students can not be watching movies or games on their assigned chromebook. If a medical emergency were to occur they may use their phone with the right amount of decency and respect towards their fellow peers and teachers.
“For purposes of this procedural directive, “personal electronic device” means any device that a student is in possession of which electronically communicates, sends, receives, stores, reproduces or displays voice and/or text communication or data. These include, but are not limited to, cellular phones, music and media players, gaming devices, tablets, laptop computers and personal digital assistants. For purposes of this procedural directive, “instructional day” means the period of time between the first scheduled bell and the last scheduled bell of the school day and any other time in which instruction occurs.”
Albuquerque schools have implemented the new law that restricts students from the use of phones and other electronic devices during school associated time. Michele Lugian Grisham passed Bill 11 on April 10th, 2025 declaring no Electronic devices during school. Some other schools throughout New Mexico enforce the bill harsher than other schools.
From NBC 5 News in DFW :“Phone pouches : Other districts, like Richardson and Grand Prairie, have already adopted a measure that extends the policy by having students lock their phones away in pouches during the day. Dallas ISD planned to implement a similar pouch policy for middle and high school students this school year. For elementary students, teachers will collect cellular devices in the homeroom and store them in a secure location until the end of the day. The Cleburne, Irving and Terrell ISDs also announced plans to adopt a lock pouch policy for secondary schools.” (https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/texas-news/no-phones-more-focus-new-texas-law-bans-devices-in-schools/3902702/)
In Texas, Schools have implemented phone pouches where students can turn their phone on silent to not cause interruptions or distractions during classes and insert their phone into a pouch where the pouch locks and the student can not get into their pouch until the end of school, In either the offices or sometimes the hall ways, they will have unlocking systems to unlock the pouches. The student may carry the pouch with them during the school day, but the phone must be put into the pouch and stay in the pouch.
“From KFF Mental health: Cellphone bans began decades ago amid concerns about drug deals among students via cellphones or pager devices, and have fluctuated since. In 2009, 91% of public schools prohibited cellphone use, which fell to 66% in 2015 before rising again to 76% in 2021. Cellphone bans are now being considered at the state level in light of growing student academic and mental health concerns that are associated with excessive use of smartphones.”
In 2007 the first ever IPhone came out, erupting an ongoing disruption and problem causing issues among students in all different grade levels. Cyber bullying, drug deals, and human trafficking, due to the major ongoing concerns about cellphones in classrooms there has been an eruption of different techniques for school districts to implement in their schools. Some schools throughout the U.S have implemented pouches, buckets, backpacks and just telling students to leave their phone at home, to cause less distractions and interruptions in the classrooms.
“Sacramento, California–Building on his calls for school districts to restrict the use of smartphones on school campuses, Governor Gavin Newsom today signed Assembly Bill 3216, the Phone-Free School Act, to require every school district, charter school and county office of education to adopt a policy limiting or prohibiting the use of smartphones by July 1st, 2026. Authored by Assembly members Josh Hoover, David Alvarez, Josh Lowenthal, and Al Muratsuchi, the bipartisan legislation will support the mental health, academic success, and social wellbeing of California’s students.”
In California, the governor signed a bill stating the need to have a “cell-phone free environment” on school campuses. The “phone-free school act” is a requirement for all school districts in the state of California. Charter schools and county offices of education to adopt a policy July 1st, 2026 to limit or prohibit student smart phone use in school.
“Under the updated policy, Chancellor's Regulation A-413, students are not permitted to use personal internet-enabled electronic devices during the school day. This includes devices such as cell phones, laptops, tablets, and portable music and entertainment systems. Beginning in the 2025-26 school year, in accordance with New York State law New York City Public Schools (NYCPS) is updating its policy regarding the use of personal internet-enabled electronic devices—including cell phones—in school. This change supports the State's intent to create distraction-free schools and aims to ensure safe and focused learning environments across all NYCPS schools.”
https://www.schools.nyc.gov/about-us/policies/cell-phone-and-electronic-device-policy
Florida :”When school starts in Florida next fall, elementary and middle school students will be banned from using cell phones from "bell to bell" during the school day under a bill signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis on May 30. High school students will still be permitted to use their phones outside of class (depending on individual school district rules), but House Bill 1105, an omnibus education bill composed of several previously filed initiatives, bans their use during instructional time unless "expressly directed by a teacher solely for educational purposes" and then only in a designated area. However, the bill also calls for a pilot program in six counties to test banning phone use during the entire school day there as well.” (https://www.tallahassee.com/story/news/education/2025/06/02/student-cell-phones-law-florida-schools/83987356007/)
In Florida schools, elementary and middle school students are prohibited to use phones at all during the school day and will be told to give the phone to administrators and will be disciplined in a professional way. High school students are permitted to keep their own phones away unless told otherwise by a teacher and or a medical emergency occurs. Certain districts have made their own rules for the phone ban; some are less strict than others but still have to follow House Bill 1105.
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The school board encourages students to express their views in school-sponsored publications and to observe rules for responsible journalism. This means expression that falls into any of the following categories shall not be permitted: any expression which is false or obscene, libelous, slanderous, or defamatory under state law, which presents a clear and present danger of the commission of unlawful acts, violation of school rules or materials and substantial disruption of the orderly operation of the school or which violates the privacy rights of others.
Student editors of school-sponsored publications are responsible for determining the news, opinion, and advertising content of the publication. The publication's advisor is responsible for supervising the production of the publication and for teaching and encouraging free responsible expression and professional standards of journalism.
The views expressed in the Purple Press are not necessarily those of Clovis High School or the Clovis Municipal School Board of Education.
Advisor: Augustine Martinez