Koller spoke with Community Impact about his plans for Legacy Ranch High School as he prepares for the campus's opening.
What inspired you to work in education?
It stems from my own struggles as a student. I went to school for mass communications because I wanted to be in broadcasting and look in that angle of being a part of the public sector. I had always worked at day cares and Chuck E. Cheese and for Austin Parks and Recreation, and just really gravitated to working with students. So when I became an education major at Southwest Texas [State University], it really just felt natural. I was able to work with students and then see students where I struggled in school [and] go back and help. That’s why I actually started as a special education teacher. I wanted to help the kids who were like me in a sense.
What attracted you to Liberty Hill ISD?
I was in Leander for 17 years and in the feeder pattern that is directly south of Liberty Hill. I had always looked and watched Liberty Hill grow from afar in a way. Knowing that it was going to two high schools, meeting Mr. [Steven] Snell and the team, it just got really exciting to want to be a part of what’s happening here in Liberty Hill. It is a small district but mighty and growing leaps and bounds. The community is amazing. The students that I’ve met are awesome. I actually came to a football game this year—my daughter was a cheerleader for the opposing team—and just fell in love with the atmosphere and environment and said, “I want to be a part of this.”
What are some of your goals for Legacy Ranch High School?
Our goal is to look to continue the great traditions that are here in Liberty Hill ISD and Liberty Hill High School. Elementary kids—they run the Panthers onto the field. We want to make sure that our students are running out onto the field with our football team but still get that experience on Friday nights until we get our own Friday night games. Another thing is really making sure that we're cutting a pathway for success for our students. We want our students to be running towards their senior year and where they're going beyond that, and so getting them excited about what is post-secondary. I think the most exciting part of all of it is building a legacy. These guys are about to make decisions for the next 100 years, whether that be on the branding and the mascot or the traditions and the things that we do.
What will you be doing in your new role before the school opens?
[No. 1] is getting to know the students, because we are students first, and I think that's important. [I’m] going to Santa Rita Middle School and really getting to know the eighth graders; getting to know the seventh graders, because they're going to be coming as well; getting to sixth graders and making them excited about what's on the horizon for them. I really want to put their minds at ease and get them excited about what's about to happen. The more boring but somewhat exciting part is purchasing and picking and getting, so anything down to furniture, and the color of the desks and the tables, to what type of desks go into classrooms. [I’m] working with the curriculum department about making sure instructional materials are there, [and] hiring the best and most qualified staff.
What do you think it means for the community to open another high school in a one-high-school town?
It's a pretty big deal. I think understanding that it is a big deal is important. What brought me here was Friday night lights and the experience I saw of what this town does on a Friday night and how it really comes together. So to sit back and now divide the town and say, "OK, you live in this area, and now you have new traditions and new systems," that's hard because everything's panthers; everything's purple and gold. People become accustomed to what they know, and it's hard. So just being aware of that; making sure that you're thoughtful in your approach; taking a step back and looking back to where we've been. Taking that next step forward I think is important and making sure the community is involved as much as possible.
