Itasca ISD would like to introduce Stephanie Marie Rieper to the district. Mrs. Rieper graduated from Baylor University in Waco, and The University of Texas at Arlington in 2006 with a Bachelor’s in Interdisciplinary Studies, and in 2018 for her Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction. She was born in Oklahoma City, OK. Her family consists of: her two daughters Amanda, Kaitlyn, her husband/HS sweetheart Trey Rieper, and her two dogs, Sophia the Great, and Priya Maria. She came from Waxahachie HS as an Educator then an Assistant Principal. Although she is certified to teach all four core subjects, she is currently the Principal at the Itasca JH building. She describes herself as “authentic, creative, and loyal.”

Mrs. Rieper had fallen in love with Itasca. “With a smaller environment, I can pour my heart into what I love- building relationships and supporting others while they grow”. Something unique about Mrs. Rieper is she is an introvert. Her family refer to her as an “outgoing introvert”. She tends to need down time after being around large groups of people for extended amounts of time.  Mrs. Rieper was inspired by her family to teach. As if it was something she was born to do with the many generations of teachers in her family. If she wasn’t here at Itasca she would like to be a full-time artist.

A few hobbies she enjoys is painting and crafts. She also likes traveling with around with her husband and friends, reading, and watching movie. Rieper’s role model growing up was her grandfather. She was very close with him and considered him to be larger than life itself. Her favorite quote is Esther 4:14. “For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and yours will perish. And who know but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” And lastly her advice to HS student is “Do not worry so much about what others think of you. Own and correct your mistakes, don’t allow them to define you, but continue to make them over and over: a mistake corrected = growing and learning.”