Dana Dworaczyk
Port O’Connor School Principal
Fall brought several changes to POC Elementary including a new principal, Dana Dworaczyk. Calhoun County born and reared, Dana brings 23 years of experience in public education to our school. Ms. Dworaczyk’s mother was a teacher and Dana played school daily when growing up setting the stage for her career. Even though she started UT in Austin as a chemical engineering major, Dana quickly changed her mind, receiving a BS in mathematics at UHV, MS in math and computer science from UHV and a MEd. in educational leadership from Lamar University.
Her love of math led to teaching math for twenty-one years with part of that time teaching concurrently at Victoria College. Two years ago Dana accepted the position of assistant principal at CHS and now splits her time between CHS and POC Elementary.
When asked about Dana’s goals as principal, she said, “Port O’Connor had 100% of our students pass the STAAR tests this past year as well as an attendance rate of 97.4%. My goals are to maintain this standard of passing, have additional students earn an advance rating, and raise the attendance even more.”
Representatives from the Friends of the POC Library met with Ms. Dworaczyk to discuss the Student Advisory Council and the positive effect this group has on promoting reading and student leadership within the school. She also commented, “I think that Port O’Connor Elementary has the perfect atmosphere to grow excellent students. The teachers work hard to meet every academic need and all students are known by all of the staff members. We are looking forward to working with the Port O’Connor library as they start work on their new facility. The students of all ages in Port O’Connor will benefit when computers, internet service, quiet study areas, and new books are available for them to use for research, school work, and entertainment.”
The sound of construction can also be heard at the school bringing other much needed changes including construction of new offices and a workroom. The front wing classrooms are scheduled to be remodeled this summer.
There are currently 90 students in PreK-5th grades and seven teachers.
