Q&A with Principal Juan Villarreal
It’s the last day of National Principals Month, and we still want to highlight another one of our outstanding principals. Today, it’s Juan Villarreal, principal of Sam Houston High School.
Juan Villarreal was an assistant principal at Martin High School, the principal at Turning Point High School, and the principal at Gunn Junior High before taking the lead role at Sam Houston in 2019. He’s known for his focus on academic excellence and student support. Under his leadership, the campus has earned the Purple Star School designation for its commitment to military-connected students.
Villarreal fosters a culture of unity and resilience, celebrating student milestones and encouraging success in and out of the classroom. His leadership continues to shape Sam Houston into a thriving, inclusive learning environment where every student is empowered to succeed.
Principal Villareal is also well known for his commitment to healthy living and fitness. In fact, as a competitive bodybuilder, he’s won the National Physique Committee Texas State Championship in the Masters division (45 and older). But when he was in college at Angelo State, he was a runner and won the Lone Star Conference championship in the steeplechase.
〉How has being a principal shaped who you are – not just professionally, but personally?
Being a principal has shaped me in every part of my life. Professionally, it has made me a stronger leader who can balance accountability with compassion. Personally, it has deepened my sense of purpose. I am grounded in my faith, which reminds me to serve with humility and to see the good in people even during difficult times. I deeply value family, and I treat our students as if they were my own. Their successes and struggles weigh on me the way my own children would. This role has also strengthened my commitment to advocating for our community and ensuring that every student feels heard, supported, and cared for. I carry those lessons into my life outside of school. I’m more intentional with my family, more grateful for the time I spend with them, and more grounded in my faith and belief that every person has potential waiting to be unlocked.
〉What keeps you coming back every day with energy and hope for your school community?
What brings me back each day is the opportunity to give back. I believe in our students, in their stories, and in the possibility of their future. My faith gives me energy and hope, but so does the trust our families place in us. I know that every day I have a chance to make a difference, whether by encouraging a teacher, listening to a parent, or helping a student believe in themselves. When I see students growing, achieving, and taking steps toward graduation, it reaffirms why I come back with purpose. This work is not just about academics; it’s about building lives; it’s a calling and a passion.
〉What’s one moment that made you feel pure joy as a principal?
One of my greatest joys is standing at graduation and shaking hands with our seniors as they walk across the stage. Each student has a story; some are filled with challenges, while others are marked by triumphs, and seeing them reach that milestone is a powerful reminder of why we do this work. I think of the students who struggled, who nearly gave up, and who are now walking with confidence and pride, their families cheering behind them. In that moment, I feel overwhelmed with joy and gratitude. It’s the culmination of years of effort, sacrifice, and belief. Knowing I had a part in helping them reach that point is one of the most rewarding feelings and blessings I have experienced as a principal.