Community is often fostered through traditions, and at Santa Fe South Shidler Elementary School, that tradition is the Sunrise Saints. Every morning at 7:30 a.m., after a shared breakfast, over 300 pre-K to 5th grade students gather around Principal Armando Ayala, who describes himself as a mix of Barney and Mr. Rogers. Together, they sing their school song while he strums his guitar, and they recite their motto: I am important. I am loved. I am needed.
SFS Shidler Elementary, a new addition to the Santa Fe South Public Charter School District, is situated in Oklahoma City’s highest poverty zip code and third highest statewide. Despite this challenge, students have made remarkable academic and social-emotional progress. Recent data shows they now rank 5th in math among about 15 schools in South OKC, improving from last year.
Principal Ayala talks about Shidler’s success and the community of dedicated educators, parents, and organizational partners that have helped students rise to their full potential.
MetroFamily’s Community Leader series highlights prominent community leaders across various sectors in Oklahoma City. Focused on topics pertinent to parents and families, each installment provides insights and perspectives from those shaping our community.
About Principal Ayala
Principal Ayala, a California native, holds degrees in Business Administration and Cross-Cultural Education. Ayala is also a graduate of Harvard University’s Transformational Leadership Training program. He credits this program as being a foundation for his approach to education.
“I was able to learn how to wrap services around a child’s social-emotional needs and to capitalize on strategic partnerships and practices so that I can guide teachers to provide a rigorous and caring learning environment,” said Ayala.
Ayala has served as principal of SFS Shidler since 2015. His commitment to education has earned him several awards including the Foundation of OKCPS’ Sam and Charolet Shirley Outstanding Principal Award in 2021.
He has been SFS Shidler’s principal for nearly 10 years; remaining a constant as the school transitioned from one school district to another. He says: “My why is because I grew up in the same environment. And with all my heart, I want my children to have an opportunity.”
When one door closes, another door opens.
Shidler Elementary was formerly part of OKCPS, until unsafe building conditions forced the district to shutter the school’s doors in 2023. With his professional background in fostering strategic partnerships, Ayala worked with FaithWorks of the Inner City and the Santa Fe South school district to keep the school community together.
Principal Ayala credits FaithWorks of the Inner City as “an incredible partner,” providing a free after-school program and meeting material needs since 2003. FaithWorks, Ayala and teachers went to great lengths to maintain their annual Christmas gift distribution during a snowstorm in December 2020. “Our kids were learning online that year and I didn’t want them to feel like they were forgotten,” explained Ayala. The group traveled by school bus through the snow and delivered gifts to every student’s home. In 2023, FaithWorks provided the land for the new SFS Shidler campus.
The Santa Fe South school district welcomed its new SFS Shidler school in 2023, fostering unity. Superintendent Chris Brewster even joined Principal Ayala in digging trenches during construction.
“I wouldn’t follow somebody that I don’t believe in,” said Ayala. “Superintendent Brewster and I share the same core values. That’s why I can close my eyes and trust.”
La Familia
The closure of SFS Shidler’s original building raised concerns for families, but the Shidler community, known as “La Familia,” embraced the temporary change that meant being bussed to alternate sites for the 2023-2024 school year. Nearly all returned to their campus for the 2024-2025 school year.
Asked why he believes families were willing to make the transition, Ayala responded: “I communicated with my parents. They all knew what was happening. It needed to be transparent. I wouldn’t follow anyone that’s not being transparent with me. And they followed us.”
He continued: “It took a lot of courage for parents to close their eyes, jump and trust. And I’m glad they did. Because they jumped, the children are doing way more than ever.”
Principal Ayala and his staff’s dedication to La Familia convinced families to remain in the school, ensuring their children could continue attending classes in their neighborhood. Principal Ayala and community partners listened to their needs.
“The directive that my staff has is that every parent is treated like a millionaire,” said Ayala. He continues: “That’s non-negotiable. I want my parents to know that they’re valued. It doesn’t matter what your socioeconomic position is. You step in here, you’re a millionaire. You step in here and you are treated with respect and listened to.”
The principal may be soft-spoken, but his actions speak volumes. From highlighting student achievements on social media to making home visits and offering innovative training for faculty, he shows the SFS Shidler community that they are important, loved and needed. This is reflected in the strong parent and student involvement, with over 90 students joining the 2025 OKC Memorial Kids Marathon and many volunteering at school events.
When asked how the greater OKC community can partner with his school as part of La Familia, Ayala suggests, “dedication of your time, like coming in and reading to our kids. Or your resources, because a donation to the school fund is always helpful.”
Fun Notes:
- Cultural heritage is important at Shidler. With a student body over 90% Hispanic/Latino, SFS Shidler offers Spanish classes to help students preserve their language and celebrate their culture. They even have a student mariachi band.
- Every girl is a registered scout through a partnership with Girl Scouts of Western Oklahoma, with meetings held at school to overcome transportation barriers. They are also establishing a similar partnership with Scouting America.
- Through Oklahoma Healthy Schools funding, the school promotes healthy lifestyle habits with kid-sized exercise equipment such as stationary bikes. In addition to cardio exercises, students practice yoga and meditation.
