Steve Novickas starts each morning the same way: scanning his calendar. He’s not checking for meetings or deadlines, but searching for moments—moments to spread encouragement, to connect, to make someone’s day a little brighter.
It’s this perspective that shapes Steve's approach to leading Dripping Springs’ newest elementary school, Wildwood Springs. But for Steve, gratitude isn't simply an important leadership trait; it's a way of life born from both triumph and trial.
“I'm grateful for human connections,” Steve reflects, sipping from his Taylor Swift-sticker-covered coffee mug (yes, he’s a proud Swifty). “I’m an optimist who loves a good challenge. A good day is when I’ve been able to walk with and encourage people through various situations.”
From Chicago to Dripping Springs
A Chicago native, Steve began his career teaching elementary school physical education in Colorado, where he met his wife Katie in 2006. After 11 years in Colorado, the family—including children Boston (13), Brielle (12), and Berklee (9)—moved to Dripping Springs in July 2017, and Steve became assistant principal at Sycamore Springs Middle School.
His path to the principal’s office wasn’t part of his original plan.
“I thought I’d be an elementary school P.E. teacher for 30 years,” he admits. But a mentor’s encouragement led him to pursue his master’s degree in educational leadership. After his first graduate class, he knew his calling had shifted. “I really enjoy leading people and making tough decisions.”
Strength Through Trial
That fortitude was tested in ways he never expected. The family faced its greatest challenge when Katie was diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2023. Throughout nearly a year of chemotherapy and radiation, Steve's optimism never wavered. Neither did Katie’s.
“There were hard days when Katie could have stayed in bed, but she was adamant about staying positive and focusing on her faith,” Steve recalls. “She continued working the whole time and never missed a Sunday at church.”
Today, Katie—who serves as director of campus ministries at LifeFamily Dripping Springs—has been cancer free for 16 months.
Steve says he’s grateful for the way the Dripping Springs community rallied around them.
“Our community really showed up when we needed them most—financially, with food, prayers, texts, phone calls, and offers to help with our kids,” Steve says. “In the last eight years, we’ve seen Dripping Springs grow into a city, but I love how it's kept that tight-knit community feeling.”
Building a School Family
Being on the receiving end of strong community support has fueled Steve's desire to build a school culture that’s encouraging, engaging, and fun.
“We’ve worked hard to build an uplifting environment where we support one another, laugh together, and put our arms around each other,” Steve says.
Colleagues describe Wildwood Springs as having a strong “family feeling.”
Janet Reeves, who taught under Steve for five years at Rooster Springs Elementary, says his approach is relationship-centered. “He’s not hiding in his office,” she says. “He’s in the hallways, classrooms, lunchroom, and at drop-off and pickup. He knows the kids’ names and walks with them through their highs and lows.”
Opening Wildwood Springs as principal has been the culmination of a long-held dream.
“I've always wanted the opportunity to open a new school as a principal,” he explains. “I enjoy the challenge of starting something new and creating a family-type atmosphere.”
And that mood is evident. “There's a lot of laughter here,” Steve shares. “We're invested in each other and the community, and we all want this to be a great school.”
His message to parents is simple: “We have your child’s best interest at heart. We’ll do whatever we can to teach and support your children academically, socially, and emotionally.”
As Kristin Wright, a fifth-grade teacher at Wildwood Springs, puts it: “He loves like Jesus and leads like Jesus.”
That, perhaps, is the greatest testament to a leader whose heart is full of gratitude.
“We're invested in each other and the community, and we all want this to be a great school. We’ll do whatever we can to teach and support your children academically, socially, and emotionally.” - Steve Novickas