Waving at students, dancing in silly reels and inspiring others with motivating quotes, Mr. Anthony Balboa takes a seat as Coral Gables Senior High’s principal for the upcoming school year. Waving goodbye to past principal Mr. Tony Ullivari as he went on to work as an Administrative Director for Miami-Dade County Public Schools, Mr. Balboa’s welcome to Gables was sudden. Announced during the summer, Balboa uses his 20 years worth of experience, his spirit and his intelligence to lead a new era through the red and gray halls.
“Being a senior now, I was always excited at the idea of having Mr. Ullivari my last year, so I initially was sad to hear the change, but after getting to see Mr. Balboa around campus, I can tell he cares about the students. Watching him participate, walk into classrooms and everything has been cool. I’m excited to see what he accomplishes,” senior Melissa Sosa said.
Born and raised in Miami, Fla., Balboa’s high school and college experiences were one for the books. Being involved in a myriad of activities such as waterpolo, basketball and student government at Columbus High to working and joining a fraternity, Sigma Phi Epsilon, during college, Balboa took part in all of his interests during his learning years. Starting as his fraternity’s education chair, orchestrating tutoring sessions for his frat brothers, he took an early interest in education. Graduating from Florida International University with a Bachelor’s in English Education, Balboa sought out a master’s degree at Nova South Eastern University, paving the way for his future.
“I never wanted to be a teacher. I did not want to get into education. All my family were television industry and in production. I used to tutor my little cousins and one of them said ‘you’re a really good teacher’… The opportunity came back, and I was like ‘You know what? Maybe I’d be a great teacher.’ I had a teacher that would always tell me that too, so it drove me to education,” Balboa said.
Fresh out of college, at just 21 years old, he earned a job at South Miami Senior High School after years of interning. Working as a Cobra for 19 years, Balboa built a name for himself. His humble beginnings took place in the classroom as a language arts and sci-fi and pop culture teacher. Responsibilities grew as he took on the challenge of restarting the school’s swim team from 1970’s and assisting the varsity basketball coach.
“[Working] in high school, the best feeling in the world is graduation, just seeing everything you have put in, all the relationships that you form with the students. You see them get to walk out the door and start a new life; that’s huge. Since I taught ninth grade, I was like their introduction to high school, and many of them come back. Since I was coaching, I also got to see them on different levels…,” Mr. Balboa said.
And six years later, he was promoted to test chair, ensuring students were ready to pass national and state required exams with flying colors. During his last couple years, Balboa was the assistant principal of curriculum. Looking over new programs and initiatives brought forward by the principal, his role largely expanded.
After years of hard work, he said his farewells to Cobra Nation and began his conquest to greater lands as principal of Ponce De Leon Middle School. In a school with rich history and a hardworking staff, Balboa quickly accommodated to his new home away from home. Marking the first year fully back in classrooms, Balboa attended volleyball games and Lionettes Dance performances, working diligently to bring back the school culture that had faded after the COVID-19 pandemic.
“My first official school day was great. I remember standing outside, meeting all the parents that were coming in. Things that are going to happen here, when they were like “Oh, you’re not the principal. The principal is taller.” I was like “No, no, it’s me.” It was a very memorable experience.”
Only a few weeks after the opening of public schools, Balboa has already proven himself to follow Gables’ motto, “Dirigo”, Latin for “I lead.” With only the best interest of his students, his staff and the school at heart, he surely has many years to come doing what he is best at.
