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Meet Our Principal
Born and raised in Puerto Rico, Mrs. Maria Ross earned a Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education from Universidad Interamericana de Puerto Rico and a Master's degree in Educational Administration from Lamar University. Throughout her career, she has remained deeply committed to educational equity, academic excellence, and ensuring every student has the opportunity to succeed.
Mrs. Ross began her educational journey as a preschool teacher in Puerto Rico. Seeking new opportunities to broaden her impact, she moved to Texas and continued her career in both Mesquite ISD and Dallas ISD. Over the years, she has served in a variety of roles, including classroom teacher, mentor teacher, grade-level lead, and Campus Instructional Leadership Team (CILT) member. In 2020, she transitioned into instructional leadership as a Campus Instructional Coach at Henry B. González Elementary, where she partnered with teachers to strengthen instructional practices through coaching, reflective conversations, and data-driven decision-making.
Mrs. Ross later served as an assistant principal for three years, focusing on building teacher capacity, leading professional learning communities, and ensuring the effective implementation of high-quality instructional materials to provide rigorous, engaging learning experiences for every student. She also participated in Dallas ISD's LEAD Future Principal Institute and served as a Principal Resident, further developing her leadership skills in preparation for the principalship. Today, as the proud principal of Obadiah Knight Elementary School, Mrs. Ross leads with heart, purpose, and high expectations. She is dedicated to fostering a positive school culture, building strong partnerships with families and the community, and ensuring every student receives an exceptional educational experience where they feel valued, challenged, supported, and inspired to reach their fullest potential.
Mrs. Ross's greatest purpose—her "why"—is her students. She believes every child deserves to be known, loved, and empowered to succeed. Her vision is to create a school where learning is joyful, relationships are meaningful, and every student is equipped with the confidence and skills to achieve their dreams. She is honored to lead the Knight community and remains steadfast in her commitment to educational excellence, equity, and the success of every child, every day.