Sometimes luck just hits me over the head. It happened recently when Susan Espiritu contacted Knox TN Today about part-time work. I met Susan and Charlie when their kids were playing sports in high school. What an interesting, high-achieving family!
Of course, I blew her off: “What’s wrong, are you bored?”
“I’m serious,” she said.
Susan retired from Knox County Schools while principal at Sarah Moore Greene Magnet Academy. She had been the founding principal of Pond Gap Elementary’s community school – KCS’s first. An interesting, high-achieving principal who quit too soon to be with Charlie after his diagnosis of dementia. His fight is their fight.
So, I tasked Susan with developing two concepts for our website: Our Town Neighbors – each Tuesday Susan will compile an interesting write-up for each of six “areas” – Downtown, East Knox, North Knox, South Knox, West Knox and Farragut. Ditto for Our Town Youth on Wednesdays.
Each feature will be quick, fun and informative – perhaps even gossipy. Susan is not a reporter, but she is local, smart and a solid human. What do we have to lose?
Susan writes:
I am a Knoxville gal through and through, growing up in Fountain City, riding my horse to softball practice at Fountain City ballpark and faithfully attending Fountain City Presbyterian Church and Fountain City schools.
However, after a vacation there, my parents decided to move our family to Hawaii.
Vacation is never reality and after 10 months, they changed their minds and decided to move back to the mainland. Most people bring back T-shirts or shells for souvenirs, but I brought back a “Charlie,” who has been my superman husband for 49 years!
Susan and Charlie Espiritu
I am proud of so many things in my life. My parents, Bill and Gladys Dillard, were well known in Knoxville for their leadership and philanthropy; and my brothers, W. Thomas “Tom” and Ed Dillard, are pillars in the Knoxville community.
We have three grown children who have excelled in their callings to work and serve the community. All are married to wonderful spouses, but the best blessings to come in our lives have been the seven grandchildren that keep us hopping with their very busy schedules.
I always knew I wanted to be a teacher, so I never looked into another field and graduated a proud UT VOL! I was fortunate to teach in Knox County schools for over 20 years and then lead two different schools as principal for 16 years. I never had a position in education that I did not value and loved doing, so I know I was born to be an educator.
My favorite memory was being recognized by my peers as the 2012 Principal of the Year and representing the state of Tennessee in Washington, D.C. I serve several roles in my church which blesses me more than others, and I am excited for the opportunity to connect with Sandra Clark for creative projects ahead.