Eagle Mountain-Saginaw ISD is pleased to announce that Dr. Ronald Gatlin has been named the first principal of Eagle Mountain High School. Gatlin has 19 years of experience in public education and currently serves as the principal of Marine Creek Middle School, a role he’s held for the past three years.
Prior to that, Gatlin served as an assistant principal of Chisholm Trail High School. Before coming to ²ÝÁñÉçÇø, he was an assistant principal in Northwest ISD for five years. Gatlin also taught for 10 years at the high school and middle school levels in biology, anatomy and physiology and physical education. In addition to his work in the classroom, Gatlin coached wrestling and football.
“Serving as the first principal of a new high school is a unique honor in the education profession that not many get to experience. We’re excited to work with Dr. Gatlin to build the school’s inaugural staff and work with the school’s first students and new EMHS community to develop the culture and traditions that will define what it means to be an EMHS Knight for years to come,” said Walter Berringer, Executive Director for Secondary Services in ²ÝÁñÉçÇø.
Gatlin graduated from Oklahoma State University with his Bachelor of Arts in Physical Education in 2001. He then completed a certification in Athletic Training while attending Brigham Young University in 2003 and he earned his Master of Education in 2006 from the University of Central Oklahoma. More recently, Gatlin earned his Doctorate in Education, focusing on Educational Leadership, from Texas Tech University in 2022.
“It is an honor to be able to serve as the first principal of Eagle Mountain High School,” Gatlin said. “Being an educator is a calling and at the heart of that calling is developing positive relationships. It’s with this culture of positivity that we will ensure EMHS is a place of pride for the students and families that we serve. Go Knights! Armor Up!”
Gatlin and his wife, Debra, love that they have a large family with nine children. It is never a dull moment during holidays when they try to get them all home. Amber, Kylie, Ammon, and Nate live and work in various jobs in Texas. Sara currently lives in Kansas, where she went to college. Keeton is working in education in Utah and loves the outdoors. Karther is currently serving a mission for their church in Panama but will return this June. Jett is also serving a mission for their church in Uganda; he has just begun his two-year service and won’t be home until 2025. Their youngest, Koda, will be a senior in high school next year. Gatlin is very busy with his family and church outside of work, but in his free time he enjoys woodworking, playing Fortnight, and watching his Oklahoma State Cowboys.
Gatlin will transition into this new role over the summer and begin working to prepare EMHS for opening in August 2024.