Following the 2024-25 school year, Islands Elementary Principal Sam Valles is retiring after 29 years of being a part of Gilbert Public Schools.

His tenure is defined by the strong and supportive cultures he has fostered on his campuses, built by an unwavering commitment to the students, families, and staff he has served, according to the district.

Originally from Mesa, Valles' journey began with service in the United States Navy. Initially dreaming of coaching high school football, Valles found a passion for teaching elementary education during his student teaching.

In 1996, he began his GPS career at Playa del Rey Elementary as a fifth-grade teacher.

“Those first five years at Playa del Rey were fun, and I’ll be forever grateful to them for giving me a chance and helping me along the way,” Valles said. 

He continued his path with GPS by teaching fifth and sixth grades at Ashland Ranch Elementary for three years, progressing through various administrative roles, including assistant principal at Canyon Valley, principal at Harris Elementary, principal at Houston Elementary, and ultimately, principal at Islands Elementary.

A key aspect of Valles's leadership at Islands Elementary has been building a strong sense of community among students, families, and staff. The school acts as a central component of the community, welcoming people on campus after school and during the weekends.

Staff members describe themselves as a close-knit family, emphasizing mutual support and collaboration.

Every day, administrators eat lunch together, welcoming all teachers and other staff to the table for informal interaction and relationship building.

“It’s like a family dinner," one staff member said. "Everyone has a seat at the table. If you can make it, you’re welcome to join.” 

This welcoming approach extends to new members of the Islands community.

While at Islands Elementary, Valles has also demonstrated a commitment to preserving the unique traditions that contribute to the identity of the school.

For example, the Small Worlds Fair, a long-standing event at the school, holds a special place in the hearts of students, families, and even former attendees.

Recognizing its value as an event that brings the community together and welcomes alumni back to campus, Valles was determined to ensure its continuation.

In the face of evolving state standards that have led many schools to discontinue such projects, Valles worked to adapt the Small Worlds Fair so that it aligned with current curriculum requirements and remained academically relevant.

 Many teachers and staff members have chosen to remain with Valles throughout his transitions to Islands Elementary. His approach to leadership also includes a unique daily tradition: arriving on campus each morning with a rock song playing, a personal "walk-up song" that injects energy and positivity into the start of the day.

Beyond these engaging traditions, staff consistently highlight Valles' ability to recognize and value their individual strengths, empowering them to excel in their roles.

This environment allows teachers and staff to feel valued and effective, ultimately benefiting the students, staff said.

“It makes you want to come back to work every day because you know that you’re trusted to do your job and you’re able to use your strengths well,” another staff member added.

Valles said the hardest part of his retirement decision was leaving the people at Islands.

Davis, who serves as the principal at Desert Ridge Junior High, will be Islands' next principal.

Davis spent 10 years fostering a community-focused environment at Pioneer Elementary, then serving as principal at Desert Ridge Junior for the past six years.

Davis shares a similar philosophy regarding school culture, emphasizing the importance of strong relationships with students, parents, and staff.  

“I care about forming relationships with our students, parents, and staff," he said. "Having a family-style culture on a school campus is important to me."

Drawing on his experience at the junior high level, Davis is also focused on preparing students as they progress to their future schools. He aims to build strong connections with the administrators at Mesquite Junior High and Mesquite High, recognizing the educational journey of Islands Elementary students.

“I’m really excited to come to Islands Elementary and create new relationships with the community," he said. "I understand the culture there is extremely strong, so I want to spend the time to get to know everyone, what’s important to them, and keep the strong culture alive."