Allien, Durham new additions at SMCISD

By Marco Cervantez

• Ulia Durham is the new assistant director of the San Marcos CISD Business Office. A native of Germany, Durham acquired her early education in that country and first worked as a business manager for a business in Frankfurt.

She moved to Texas and worked as a high school secretary in Ropesville, as the business manager for the Smyer Independent School District and most recently the business manager at Loop ISD.

Q. What kept you motivated to being a part of educational work?

A. As to what keeps me motivated to work in an educational environment, it’s the children. Children deserve the best we can offer in life, and working for schools is my small contribution to that.

Q. What changes, if any, would you like to see as the new Assistant Director of San Marcos CISD Business Office?

A. I am willing to do whatever is necessary to help children progress and strive for excellence.

Q. What made you decide to come to San Marcos?

A. San Marcos is a beautiful place to be and to work. The people I have met here so far are very friendly, caring and passionate about education, which makes for a great place to be.

Q. Tell me more about your education in Germany.

A. When I came to the US in 1984 I had received a better education than most people who went to college here. Matter of fact, I remember a lady working at customs/immigration at the Dallas Airport asking me where Germany was and if it was a suburb of Houston. I was speechless...

In 5th grade we had to learn English and in 7th grade another foreign language was required.  The courses were German (of course), math, biology, religion, sports, music, english, history, home ec/ag, French, Latin, physics, chemistry. Those are the ones I remember... There were no Proms in Germany , nor football games, no Spring Break or Thanksgiving Holidays. One week off in the Fall, two for Christmas, and four for Summer.

• Melanie Allien began the 2009-2010 school year as an Assistant Principal of Miller Middle School. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree from Ball State University in Environmental Studies and her Master’s Degree from the University of Louisiana-Monroe in Secondary Education.

Q. What changes, if any, are you hoping to make as the new Assistant Principal at Miller Middle School?

A. Administration is taking its direction from the faculty and staff, as well as the community, to guide us in any changes that we are making

Q. With all the different places you’ve been, such as Austin ISD and Hays ISD, what made you choose San Marcos?

A. I most recently came from North East ISD in San Antonio. I chose SMCISD because I wanted to work in the community where I lived.

Q. What kept you motivated in earning your Master’s Degree?

A. Like most educators, I am a life-long learner. I always enjoy taking classes and achieving goals. My next one will be a PhD.

Q. Tell me a little bit about where you grew up and what it was like.

A. I am originally from Indiana — lots of cornfields! After college, I moved to Arkansas, then Louisiana and then Texas.

Q. Are you aware of the Miller vs. Goodnight rivalry?

A. I have heard about the rivalry and all I can say is, “Look Out Rattlers!”