August 26, 2009

Dear parents of the beloved APA:

Assalamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh,

Ramadan Mubarak to all of you and your families.

After working in the education field for 35 years, I am not going to retire, but rather will seek another adventure where other Islamic school needs my experience.  Teaching has always been my passion while in college, and I can honestly say that my professional life has been most challenging and rewarding.

But I came to APA in 2006 as a principal not as a teacher, where I have worked diligently for three years.  It’s now time for the school to welcome new ideas that only a change of principal can bring about.  I still don’t know who my successor will be, but I am positive that the School Board will make the best choice.

The first time I set foot on this school was one hot summer evening in August, 2006, when I received a phone call to come for a meeting with the APA School Board.  At that moment I was picking tomatoes, cucumbers, and beans in my backyard.  I was a bit nervous coming to Austin to become a school principal after teaching for years at the university and college level in the US and overseas. It seemed to be a different kind of trip I would be taking.

I did not know anyone in the school, so when I saw a smiling face at the main entrance, I felt welcome.  It was an overwhelming welcome that I have received that evening.   There I made a solemn promise to everyone present that I would do my best for the school.  I have already felt obligated and attached to APA.

My only regret is that I did not have the time to establish a very close bond with the community members, because I was giving most of my attention to the teachers, students, and curricula.  Teachers have been very supportive and I thank them for placing their trust and confidence in me.  Three years have passed very quickly.  I enjoyed every single encounter with teachers, parents, and students.

Students smile and nod whenever we meet, and it gives me great joy when a student stops to chat with me.  Recently, I have begun to wonder what kind of ‘legacy’ I will leave behind.  I hope it is the love and care I gave to you all, and the confidence that I have in you. 

I, therefore, take this opportunity to thank all the staff and teachers for their hard work and dedication.  My special thanks and heartfelt gratitude goes to the Assistant to the Principal, Sr. Diana Abdi, for helping me running the school.  I have also pointed, on countless occasions, how lucky I am to have such able and devoted administrative assistants.  I am proud of the students and their achievements in their academic and non-academic pursuits.  All of them had strong passion for the school.  To me great leadership has a lot to do with passion and inspiration.

I wish to thank all parents, especially those who were in the PTO and those who served the school as volunteers.  They are part of this great APA family and have helped enormously in the development of the school.  They have done this through the donation of time, scholarships, prizes, preparation of food and refreshments for all major school functions, etc.

Parents!  Please think of all the support the school is getting from you, and think also about why we are getting this support.  It is so hard to build, and so easy to destroy!  Everything takes time and effort to build and develop.  Make it part of your mission to continue to be a change agent for the betterment of APA.

Boys and girls, appreciate what you have and all the opportunities that come your way.  Never take anything for granted.  Life is precious and time passes very quickly.  I am very happy that I came to serve in this school and, although three years is not a very long time, I can assure you that my memories of you will be pleasant, and gratifying.   Please forgive my shortcomings and remember me in your Dua’a.

Jazakum Allahu Khairun

Dr. Walid Hawana
APA Principal