Following the 2024-25 school year, Islands Elementary principal Sam Valles is retiring after 29 years of being a part of the GPS Family. His tenure is defined by the uniquely strong and supportive cultures he has fostered on his campuses, built by an unwavering commitment to the students, families, and staff he has served. As we honor Principal Valles's lasting contributions, we also look ahead and introduce the next principal of Islands Elementary, who aims to keep the school’s strong culture and traditions alive.

Originally from Mesa, Valles's journey began with service in the United States Navy. Initially dreaming of coaching high school football, Valles found a passion for teaching elementary education during his student teaching. In 1996, he began his GPS career at Playa del Rey Elementary as a 5th-grade teacher. “Those first five years at Playa del Rey were fun, and I’ll be forever grateful to them for giving me a chance and helping me along the way,” Valles recalls. 

He continued his path with GPS by teaching 5th and 6th grades at Ashland Ranch Elementary for three years, progressing through various administrative roles, including Assistant Principal at Canyon Valley, Principal at Harris Elementary, Principal at Houston Elementary, and ultimately, Principal at Islands Elementary.

A key aspect of Principal Valles's leadership at Islands Elementary has been building a strong sense of community among students, families, and staff. This culture is evident in the way the school operates and the interacts with the local community. The school acts as a central component of the community, welcoming people on campus after school and during the weekends. Staff members describe themselves as a close-knit family, emphasizing mutual support and collaboration. Every day, administrators eat lunch together, welcoming all teachers and other staff to the table for informal interaction and relationship building. As one staff member shared, “It’s like a family dinner. Everyone has a seat at the table. If you can make it, you’re welcome to join.” 

This welcoming approach extends to new members of the Islands community. “We’re a big family unit, so when someone new comes in, whether it’s a new staff member or a prospective family on a tour, Sam does an excellent job making sure everyone feels welcome and ready to join our family.” 

While at Islands Elementary, Principal Valles has also demonstrated a commitment to preserving the unique traditions that contribute to the identity of the school. For example, the Small Worlds Fair, a long-standing event at the school, holds a special place in the hearts of students, families, and even former attendees. Recognizing its value as an event that brings the community together and welcomes alumni back to campus, Principal Valles was determined to ensure its continuation. In the face of evolving state standards that have led many schools to discontinue such projects, Valles worked to adapt the Small Worlds Fair so that it aligned with current curriculum requirements and remained academically relevant.

The positive culture fostered at Islands Elementary under Principal Valles's leadership is further reflected in the strong appreciation expressed by the school's staff. Many teachers and staff members have chosen to remain with Principal Valles throughout his transitions to Islands Elementary. His approach to leadership also includes a unique daily tradition: arriving on campus each morning with a rock song playing, a personal "walk-up song" that injects energy and positivity into the start of the day. Beyond these engaging traditions, staff consistently highlight Principal Valles's ability to recognize and value their individual strengths, empowering them to excel in their roles. This supportive and trusting environment allows teachers and staff to feel valued and effective, ultimately benefiting the students. “It makes you want to come back to work every day because you know that you’re trusted to do your job and you’re able to use your strengths well,” added another staff member.

As Principal Valles looks forward to his next chapter, Islands Elementary is eager to welcome its new principal, Mike Davis, who currently serves as the principal at Desert Ridge Junior High. Davis brings a wealth of experience, having spent 10 years fostering a community-focused environment at Pioneer Elementary, then serving as principal at Desert Ridge Junior for the past 6 years. Davis shares a similar philosophy regarding school culture, emphasizing the importance of strong relationships with students, parents, and staff.  “I care about forming relationships with our students, parents, and staff. Having a family-style culture on a school campus is important to me,” he stated. 

Drawing on his experience at the junior high level, Davis is also focused on preparing students as they progress to their future schools. He aims to build strong connections with the administrators at Mesquite Junior High and Mesquite High, recognizing the educational journey of Islands Elementary students. “I’m really excited to come to Islands Elementary and create new relationships with the community. I understand the culture there is extremely strong, so I want to spend the time to get to know everyone, what’s important to them, and keep the strong culture alive,” he expressed.

To learn more about Islands Elementary, including information about the school’s culture or to schedule a tour of the campus, visit Islands.GilbertSchools.net.