About the Principal

NAME: Mark A. Pratz

SCHOOL: Patsy Sommer Elementary

SCHOOL PHONE: 512-704-0600

OFFICE HOURS: 7:30 A.M.- 4:30 P.M.


About The Principal

This will be my thirteenth year as an administrator in Round Rock ISD.  I 
served as assistant principal at Gattis Elementary for two and one half years 
and principal for three.  I have served as principal at Forest Creek for 
 four and a half years as well.  In December of 2007 I was appointed to the 
job of  principal at Patsy Sommer Elementary.  The new school opened in 
August of 2008. I have taught elementary school in both private and public 
schools for 11 years working with 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students.

I hold both a Bachelor of Arts in Education and Masters Degree in 
Administration from the University of Texas.  I also have many years 
experience in the private sector as a small business owner.  I have one 
daughter, Sarah, and a wonderful wife Jeanette.  We are expecting our first 
grandchild in March, 2010!!!  My hobbies are traveling, gardening, playing 
guitar poorly, listening to vintage vinyl LPs, 
camping, fishing, snorkeling and working on vintage travel trailers (canned 
hams) when I'm not working on my very old house in Taylor, Texas. 

I am a strong believer in a literacy rich classroom with a focus on student 
interest, meaningful and practical writing and a wide choice of reading 
topics and genres for all students. I believe math skills must be taught in 
a concrete and understandable way and math problem solving at a high level is 
the way to inspire student motivation and interest.  
 I believe we must be continuous learners about our profession and students 
and strive to improve upon our skills and practices.  My 
hope is that the children who attend Sommer Elementary possess self 
confidence about their abilities, strong math and reading skills and a love 
for learning new things. I hope to never hear a child say I can't do math or 
I don't like to read!




Our School's Goals

See our vision, mission, and goals page!