Servant Leader

Principal Beth Aycock guides Salado High through a pandemic

By Janna Zepp | Photos by Skeebo

Beth Aycock leads. As the principal of Salado High School, she cultivates leadership in the teaching staff. She sets the instructional goals for the school and works to provide the resources to reach them.

While you might know your child’s teacher first and foremost, it is your child’s principal who sets the tone for learning, and setting that tone in Salado is foremost to Aycock. She says a typical workday does not exist in public school education.

“That’s one of the best things about school. We have a routine and a schedule but I never know what’s going to happen. I’ll be at school by 7:15 a.m. but after that, I never know how it’s going to go. The surprises are one of the best parts of the job,” she says.

Her career philosophy is one of service.

“As a classroom teacher, I wanted to serve the needs of my students and their families. As a school leader, I want to serve my teachers so that they can take care of our kids,” Aycock says. “I think that if you’re always looking for ways to help, serve, and show gratitude, you’re going to find yourself moving forward.”

She always knew she wanted to be a helper. Aycock thought about being a physician or a veterinarian. As she got older, she fell in love with school and studying, which is why she feels education is such a great fit for her. Initially, Aycock thought she wanted to work in higher education as a history professor.

“I realized, however, that I wasn’t passionate about research. I was passionate about teaching and learning. I had the opportunity to serve as a guest lecturer for a history course and I loved it. The interaction with the students and the exchange of ideas I had with them was so exciting. I was hooked. I knew I wanted to be in a classroom with students all the time,” she says.

Aycock loved being in the classroom, but she kept thinking there was more she could do. She wanted to impact more students than just the ones assigned to her.

“I had a really supportive principal who told me I would make a good administrator,” she says. “I’m glad I had his support and glad I took his advice to step out of my comfort zone.”

Aycock says that because she works with young people, success is really the only option. “Those of us who are privileged enough to work in education really have a tremendous responsibility to our students. We get them for such a short, precious amount of time and really need to capitalize on it in order for them to become successful adults.”

Her “kids” at school motivate her to succeed the most.

“I am so proud of them and I want to keep getting better because they deserve the best. I know the young ladies at my school are watching me. I want to be a good example for them and encourage them to see themselves as leaders, because they already are.”

Of the milestones in her career of which she is proud, helping 151 Class of 2020 Salado High School seniors graduate during the time of the COVID-19 pandemic has been one. Earning her Doctorate of Education from Texas A&M-Commerce at the same time is the other. Mrs. Aycock became Dr. Aycock on June 9, adding more professional educational firepower to her position at Salado Independent School District.

Aycock says her crowning achievement, however, is growing her career and her family at the same time.

“I couldn’t do what I do without the support of my husband and kids. I’m proud to say I’m a mom and a high school principal.”

Married to her husband, Brad, for 19 years, Aycock calls him a true educator’s spouse, saying that he is as invested in her school and her “kids” as she is.

“(Brad) knows date night will likely be a football game or a band concert. Although we both graduated from Killeen High School, we weren’t high school sweethearts and we never went to prom together, I like to say we’ve made up for it by attending about 10 together since then,” says Aycock.

The Aycocks have three children: daughters Cuyler and Caley, and a son, Camden. Cuyler just finished her senior year at Salado High School and will attend the University of North Texas this fall to study graphic design. Caley, is a sophomore at SHS, and is active in the band and student council. Camden is a 7th grader at Salado Junior High, and loves playing soccer and spending time with friends.

“I think many women, myself included, struggle with balancing their careers and their families,” Aycock says. “We want to be good moms and excel at work at the same time. Sometimes it feels like there’s not enough of you to go around. I try to remind myself that my daughters are watching the choices I make. I think they’re so smart and capable, I want to be the example they deserve.”