Q&A with Dr. Shannon Gomez, SAA-SDS President

We were excited to have Dr. Shannon Gomez, an experienced and passionate Catholic educator, join our community in July. She quickly acclimated to our campus, and we have loved welcoming her and her family to this amazing place!

We recently asked if we could interview her with student-submitted questions, and she readily agreed! Take a minute to share this with your family and get to know a little more about Dr. Gomez.

Were you a teacher before you became a president?

Yes! I was a 2nd grade teacher, a 5th grade teacher, a high school religion teacher, and a college professor.

What does a school President really do?

A school President is kind of like the captain of a really big team!

Here are some things I do during the day:

• Talk to students —I say hello in the hallways, visit them in assembly and in the classrooms to find out what students are learning.
• Work with teachers — We talk about how to make our school an even better place to learn.
• Meet with families — I listen to parents and hear their ideas and questions.
• Make big plans — I help decide what our school needs now and what we should work toward in the future.
• Take care of our school community — When something important or difficult happens, I help our team figure out what to do.
• Help raise money — I talk with people who love our school and want to help us provide great opportunities for students.
• Meet with leaders — I work with our Board of Trustees and Leadership Team to make important decisions.
• Celebrate! — I get to cheer on students at games, performances, Masses, special events, and celebrations.
• Think about the future — A big part of my job is asking, “How can we make this school even better for the students who are here today—and the students who will come tomorrow?”

And the best part? I get to spend my days helping make sure our school is a place where every student can learn, grow, belong, and become the person God created them to be.

What is your favorite thing at St. Agnes-St. Dominic so far?

I love the people! This is such an amazing community. From the students and educators to the Board of Trustees, to our families, staff, alumni, and supporters, I’ve been so welcomed and encouraged.

What is your favorite kind of music or artist?

I love country music, and my favorite country artist at the moment is Ella Langley.

What is your favorite tv show series?

I don’t have much time to watch TV, but I do love Friday movie nights with my family.

Do you have a favorite sports team?

My favorite team is the Los Angeles Dodgers.

What is your favorite restaurant in Memphis so far?

We’ve enjoyed all the restaurants we’ve been to so far, with our favorite being Andrew Michael.

Do you have any pets?

Yes, I have two Boxers-Luna and Lola.

What was your favorite subject in school?

I loved any World Language Class because I loved learning a new language.