Happy Principal’s Month to Carnegie’s Mr. Moss!

“I always want to remember what it's like to be a student and what it's like to be a teacher, because I don't want to be a principal or an administrator who forgets what it's like to be on the other side,” proclaims Ramon Moss, Carnegie Vanguard High School’s principal of 22 years.

A Houstonian his whole life, Moss graduated with a degree in Psychology from Texas Southern University, and soon began his journey as an educator. With encouragement from his uncle, Moss participated in an alternative certification program, in which he both taught students and took classes in order to receive a certification in teaching. During this time, Moss applied his minor in Spanish as a third grade bilingual teacher. Besides discovering the joy of teaching through this hands-on opportunity, he found that he learned from his students as much as they learned from him.

“My students were also inspiring to me, and I remember we developed such a great rapport,” Moss recalled. “My task was to introduce them more and more to English, because they were Spanish speakers. I let them know, ‘Hey, my Spanish is not perfect. I want you as my students to correct me when I say something wrong.’”

Moss and the CVHS staff posing for a picture together during a Staff Personal Development day. (Photo: Ramon Moss)

Several years later, after serving as assistant principal at the High School for Performing and Visual Arts, Moss took up a permanent position as CVHS’ principal, where he still works today to create a thriving and inclusive atmosphere for all students. He joined the school’s staff just as they celebrated their two-year anniversary of becoming an independent Vanguard program. Moss notes that this atmosphere built upon intellectual curiosity, drivenness, and camaraderie is what makes him so grateful to be leading the community.

“It's music to my ears that the majority of people indicate that this is a very warm and nurturing environment. It's very important to me that I continue to have my finger on the pulse of what students' interests and needs are, whether that's academic, social, or emotional, because more than anything else, students are our first priority,” Moss explained.

Under his leadership, CVHS has been consistently ranked as the #1 public school in the Houston area and has garnered a number of accolades at the state and national levels. Most recently, CVHS has been ranked #42 nationally by US News and as the #1 Best College Prep Public High School in Texas by Niche. Moss is especially proud of CVHS’ recognition as one of only 28 schools to earn the newly minted Lone Star Award by the state of Texas, which takes the place of the former National Blue Ribbon School Award, recognizing outstanding academic achievement.

Moss receiving a gift from CVHS’ Lego Club. (Photo: Ramon Moss)

Moss has seen CVHS grow from the initial 178 students to today’s 880, and his tenure of over 20 years is a testament to his love for his profession and community. “I don't have kids of my own, but when people ask me if I do, I say, ‘Yes, this year I have 880,’ because I just love this atmosphere, and I love the people that I work with, including the students. I don't know what more I could ask for. So as long as everyone will have me, I'm content to remain and serve in whatever capacity I can.”

I have never met a student, staff member, or parent who doesn’t admire Mr. Moss for all the work he does. So, this Principal’s Month, I hope we can all celebrate this incredible administrator, educator, and person.

Happy Principal’s Month, Mr. Moss! We appreciate all you do for us at CVHS!