By WESLIE STRATTON
Moapa Valley Progress
This school year, the Moapa Valley High School is welcoming Dr. Lisa Louw as the school’s new dean of students. While originally from Indiana, Louw comes to MVHS most recently from South Africa.
Louw said she was raised in a small rural community in Indiana similar to Moapa Valley and that she enjoyed attending a small school there. She then attended Indiana University where she earned her bachelor’s degree prior to moving to Florida where she raised her three children and earned a Master’s degree.
Louw, along with her husband and youngest son, moved to South Africa seven years ago to complete her doctoral research assisting African women wishing to obtain educational training.
After so many years away from traditional education environments Louw said it would take a lot to bring her back.
“It would take a big district to pull me back,” she said, adding that Clark County was the first to offer her an administrative position. So she packed up and relocated to North Las Vegas.
“I’ve gotten to know a lot of faculty and staff,” she said. “I love Moapa Valley. I love my job here.”
As part of her position Louw said that she recently enjoyed supervising her first football game. She said that the community attendance was pleasantly surprising and reminded her of home.
“The community support is amazing!” she said.
While Louw taught in the classroom for 25 years this is her first administrative position.
“It was time to move on to another level,” she said.
She expressed gratitude to Principal Rod Adams and Assistant Principal Pledger Solomon for being phenomenal mentors, answering questions and making her feel welcome.
While awaiting the arrival of her husband and son, Louw currently resides in North Las Vegas. But she said that she eventually hopes to live in Moapa Valley.
As a family, the Louw’s enjoy the outdoors, camping, water sports and are looking forward to the transition to desert sports including rock climbing and four wheeling.
