Person of the Week: Bauer finds her passion at HCISD

Vivian Bauer lives by her personal motto of “it is what it is.” She uses it to drive her actions every day, and she’s constantly pursuing her personal best.

Bauer is the principal for the Dr. Abraham P. Cano Freshman Academy. Although the campus is set to open Fall 2013, she’s been hard at work for over a year making sure the campus is ready to open to 1,300 incoming freshmen at the Harlingen Consolidated Independent School District.

“There is so much do and time flies quickly,” Bauer said. “We are looking at everything from construction to curriculum, but the bottom line is that we have to be there for the students.”

She even finds herself dreaming about the things to do on campus, she said.

Bauer has worked in education for 21 years. Prior to working as an educator, she worked in nursing, business and nutrition. She found the path to education after becoming a mother, she said. By working with her own children and knowing her love for education she was able to realize that she belonged in a campus.

“It’s not a job, it’s a mission” Bauer said. “I had the opportunity to find my passion, and I want to help others find theirs.”

When Bauer is not busy planning coursework or checking on the future location of the campus, she spends her time focusing on family. Her extended family has grown over the past years. It’s a priority to make sure that aspect of her life is taken care of, she said.

Traveling is another passion of Bauer’s. She’s been to various places across the world. To help her narrow down the list of where she should go next, she often thinks about the short list of places she hasn’t been.

“I’ve been to the Caribbean and Bahamas,” Bauer said. “I’ve zip-lined through the jungles of Honduras. I think my next trip will be to Europe.”

Bauer has been with HCISD for 21 years, and looks forward to 20 more years of helping students reach their goals.