Tolar High School Principal Profile

Tolar High School is in Tolar run by Principal Clint Gardner. This will be his first year as a Principal of Tolar High School after previously serving as Assistant Principal at all three Tolar ISD campuses floating around throughout the week.

“It was a big piece for me to be able to grow just because I was able to see from day one of a Pre-K kid to the senior year graduation. I got to be a part of that and just see the whole scope of things. It gave me a new perspective in education, seeing the whole piece,” Gardner said.

“The most rewarding part is the relationships you get to build with kids and co-workers and those lightbulb moments for kids. When stuff finally clicks that’s what we’re looking for every day in the classroom”

When Gardner first came to Tolar he was the Assistant Principal for part of the day, a teacher as well as a coach.

Before the start of his educational career, Garner received his bachelor’s degree from Tarleton State University where he met his wife Amy, who is also a teacher. He then earned his master’s from Stephen F. Austin State University. Both his parents were also educators as well as his wives.

Having grown up in Centerville, Garner has always enjoyed being in a small town. He also has family in Tolar, so when the opportunity came to move to Tolar ISD he took it.

“I’ve always enjoyed the small-town feel, the environment, the family atmosphere that’s in small towns,” Gardner said.

When it comes to the upcoming school year Gardner says, “We have a lot of good things going with our teachers and our team. So, to be able to see that develop and grow, that’s going to be exciting to see.”

Gardner described the most rewarding part of the job, “the relationships you get to build with kids and co-workers and those lightbulb moments for kids. When stuff finally clicks that’s what we’re looking for every day in the classroom”

The school is also planning to continue to develop their current programs such as the agriculture program by adding on to help serve more kids. They are also expanding their health science program as well as adding a new gym.

“There is a lot of growth in our district, and our teachers are embracing that and running with it… I’m really excited to get started to work with the team that I have. I’m stepping into a really good situation. The people who have sat in this seat before me were really good and did a lot of things to help the kids and the district, so I’m honored to sit in that seat,” Gardner said.

Tolar High School’s first day of the 2023-24 school year will take place on Thurs, Aug. 10.