Prioritizing Education

The importance of education was planted in me through the vivid stories of my grandparents and parents. My grandmother, my dad‘s mom, was the first in her family of 12 children to graduate from high school.  Their family lived and worked cotton fields together in rural East Texas where the local school stopped at 16 years old. In order to finish the last two years, she and her twin sister had to leave their family behind, so they could move into town and work as live-in maids.  My dad was struck by polio when he was six and lost the use of his legs. His dad worked the oilfields and they moved many times throughout his elementary through high school years.  My dad voiced that the constant school changes influenced him more than the fact that he couldn’t walk. He put himself through college working at the Levi’s factory and then onto law school, after which he went on to advocate for his clients as an attorney specializing in labor law.

In the 1930s when education for women was not prioritized, my mom‘s mom went to college, and trained as a teacher. She emphasized education for all nine of her children, including the six girls, and four of her children went on to be teachers. My mom had a career that was focused on ensuring access to healthcare for low income women in the Rio Grande Valley.  She championed local education throughout her life and was heavily involved with my sister and me in our school.

My parents and grandparents viewed education as a top priority for themselves and for their families - and I aim to honor those values today by making sure an incredible education is available to all kids in our HCISD community.

A quality education gives kids options and freedom.  Education provides not only greater financial stability for the individual, but also the freedom to pursue fulfilling career opportunities and meaningful participation in our community.  Education is the cornerstone to individual success and a thriving community for all.  My parents taught me that.