By Sissy Courtney

Friends of Texas Public Schools honored Principal Matt Warnock of Barbara Bush Middle School as its Ambassador of the year at its eighth annual fundraising dinner on Dec. 5 at the Frontiers of Flight Museum in Dallas. Bush is part of the Carrollton/Farmers Branch ISD.

“Matt Warnock is an incredible ambassador not only for his campus, but for all Texas public schools,” said Scott Milder, President and CEO of Friends of Texas Public Schools, which he and his wife Leslie started in 2004. “Matt has figured out that the self-appointed critics and malcontents are intentionally undermining public confidence in their schools with misinformation and half-truths. People are not aware and have no reason to be aware that our public schools are actually performing better today than ever in history. Few are telling the story.”

Friend of the Year, ice cream businessman and author of Schools Cannot Do It Alone Jamie Vollmer of Ohio, was also honored at the dinner.

“Educators today must understand their role as ambassadors for their profession and the necessity of sharing what’s really going on in the public schools,” Vollmer said.

Warnock echoes that sentiment.

“We’re getting killed in this war over public opinion,” Warnock said. “We’ve got to step up and defend our honor. Our students are incredibly gifted and are achieving extraordinary results in our schools. It’s truly a shame that Texans don’t know their public schools are effective and efficient.”

The U.S. Department of Education recently confirmed that Texas public schools are outperforming other states with their release of state-by-state high school graduation rates. African-American students in the Class of 2011 tied for first in the nation with Montana for the highest graduation rate among their peers at 81 percent. Hispanic students finished second nationally among their peers behind only Maine with a graduation rate of 82 percent. White students ranked first in the nation with a graduation rate of 92 percent.

“Any honor I receive is because of the people that I’m surrounded by,” Warnock said. “I’m honored to represent public education in this way, but I also recognize there are a lot of people working just as hard as I am.

“Our district is partnered with Friends of Texas Public Schools, and I represent the Ambassador Program where this organization started by Scott and Leslie Milder, who are just amazing people, is training community members and arming them with information about public schools to combat the misinformation and negativity out there about public schools and to get the word out about all the good things that we’re doing. We’re doing a lot of really good things – a lot of magic, a lot of miracles are going on in every classroom in public education.”

Barbara Bush MS has a group of parents, teachers, administrators and community members going through Friends of Texas Public Schools ambassador training led by the Milders. It is three, two-hour trainings where community members learn talking points so that they can in turn talk about the good things that our public schools are doing.

“It’s the old fashioned word of mouth,” Warnock said. “We know a lot of conversations occur about public schools, teachers, students, and what’s going on, and we just want to make sure that people are armed with the truth. Our charge is to engage anyone and everyone in any way that we can: social media, Facebook, sitting in the stands at a little league soccer game; the opportunities are everywhere.

Friends founders

“We started (Friends of Texas Public Schools) because we were tired of the public beating public school educators were taking every day in media and politics, and it was disrespectful and mean-spirited,” Scott Milder said. “There really wasn’t anybody stepping up and getting the backs of our educators. There are a lot of really great people working in public education on the behalf of our children, and if we’re going to have conversations about how we’re going to continue to improve, let’s step back and celebrate the achievements that they’ve made and wrap our arms around them and work with them in areas where they need to improve.

“Historically, it’s been ‘We’ll beat them up, and then we’ll demand improvement,’ and that’s no way to relate to people.”

Milder’s wife Leslie was a Texas classroom teacher for 10 years before the demands of their organization required she quit teaching to devote her time fully to their mission. Nine of her family members, including her mom, are teachers.

“I grew up listening to those ladies tell all their awesome, fun stories that they had and how they talked about education. Once I got in the business, I became very aware of how people outside my family talk about education, and it’s not the same,” Leslie Milder said. “I wanted everybody to have that inside glimpse of just how amazing it is in public schools and what all we’re doing. We’re not taught as educators how to do those things.

“Our mission is twofold,” she said. “We want to change Texas and get out some of the good things about our public schools. In addition, we work inside our public schools training our educators in how to get those things out and heard.

Acceptance speech

“I am so honored to represent public education in this way; it’s not what I do, it’s who I am,” Warnock said. “The teachers and staff at Barbara Bush Middle School in Farmers/Branch ISD work tirelessly for the good of our students. In no way would I be here if not for your dedication and tireless efforts.

“Raise your hands if you can read.”

Every hand in the audience, except for Warnock’s four-year-old son’s, went up.

“Halleluiah for public education, if not only for the magic of reading, because that is what happens in our public schools – magic and miracles,” Warnock said. “It happens every day in schools everywhere. Magic and miracles – we need to celebrate. I know I am preaching to the choir, but Ladies and Gentlemen, we need to sing louder and figure out how to get more voices in this choir of ours. We’re not blind; we know we make mistakes and have room to grow, but our good far outweighs our bad. Come to our schools; come and see for yourselves. Life is so much more enjoyable when we look at the good rather than the bad.”

Bio

Warnock has been principal at Barbara Bush Middle School since 2009. He started his career in C-FB ISD teaching science at Creekview High School in 1998. He served as an assistant principal and then associate principal at Ranchview High School before taking over at Barbara Bush Middle School. He is married to Georgeanne Warnock, principal at RL Turner High School in C-FB ISD. They have four boys ages 11 through 4. Warnock earned his bachelor’s degree in biology and geology from Stephen F. Austin State University and his master’s degree in education from University of North Texas.

By Amanda Casanova

Conservatives from Irving gathered at Mayor Beth Van Duyne’s house on Dec. 10 to mark the 50^th anniversary of the Irving Republican Women’s Club.

Chartered in 1962, the club is a political action committee that works to actively support conservative candidates and encourage Republican women to run for office.

Such was the case with Van Duyne, the City’s first female mayor and former Republican Women’s Club president.

Officers for 2012 of the Irving Republican Women’s club are sworn in at a Dec. 10 meeting. Photo by Amanda Casanova.“I want to thank this group, because you also recognize the local level,” Van Duyne said. “We don’t run necessarily as Republican and Democrat at that level, but this group definitely gets involved in all of our local politics and not just at campaign time. I’m looking around, and I see women who are a staple at our council meetings and who help to set us straight when we need it.”

The 50^th anniversary celebration was a chance for the club to honor past presidents and to commemorate past achievements.

“You all have played a vital role in advancing Republican goals and this club has been instrumental in electing local, county and state leaders,” said Annette Ratliff, district administrative director for Sen. John Carona.

“It’s truly fitting that this club be recognized for its leadership and many outstanding achievements,” Ratliff said, after reading a proclamation from the Senator’s office. “What you do is immeasurable, so thank you.”

Congressman Kenny Marchant also attended the dinner and meeting, presenting the club with a certificate of congressional recognition.

“Thank you for your years of service and commitment to conservative principles,” Marchant said. “The first piece of political advice I got about Irving was you better get to know the IrvingRepublican Women’s club,” he added, as attendees applauded.

Also during the 50^th anniversary event, new officers were sworn in for next year.

Officers for 2013 include president Elena Blake; vice presidents Joyce Howard, who oversees finance; Barbara Hull, programs; Norma Gonzales, records; Lucia Rottenberg, membership; Heather Stroup, communications; Marcella Porter and Pam Grimes, campaign activities and education; Linda Lee, historian and photographer; Doris Booth, webmaster.

“We’ve got to really grow because in 2014 we have to take back the Senate,” Blake, club president, said. “We work to get new council people, but we also do the same for school board members and in May we’ve got some voting to do.

“We’re going to have to get out and hit the road, and this is a good team we have in place for 2013,” she said.

The club meets the second Monday of each month at IHOP, 900 Market, Irving TX. Visitors are welcome. For more information call 972-255-7727.

By Amanda Casanova 

Six firefighters from Fire Station No. 3 were honored at the Dec. 11 Coppell City Council meeting.

Capt. Michael McDowell, engineer Sam Thomason, and paramedics Chris Leech,

Jarrod Dean, John Knight and Preston Nickelson were awarded the Life Saving Award from the City after the men saved a Coppell man who suffered cardiac arrest.

On Aug. 16, Thomas Morgan went to sit down, and when his wife went to check on him, Morgan was unresponsive, Fire Chief Kevin Richardson said.

Firefighters arrived and started life support procedures. Morgan was not breathing and did not have a pulse. He was revived and taken to the hospital.

“Because of their actions, Morgan was successfully revived from cardiac arrest and made a full recovery,” Richardson said. “This is an extremely proud day for me to present this award.”

At the Council meeting, Morgan’s son called the firefighters “heroes” and thanked them for their help.

“I didn’t know a whole lot about cardiac arrest, and how critical it is when it happens and what you do,” he said. “Because of their efforts, my dad stands here today with no side effects. He’s as ornery as he’s ever been.

“Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”

Morgan’s family also donated $2,500 to the Fill the Boot program, which supports the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

“We are honored every day to have such great people that work for the City and care so much about our citizens,” Mayor Karen Hunt said.

Irving Mayor Beth Van Duyne, along with the mayors of Dallas, Fort Worth and Arlington, briefed Texas legislative officials on a number of regional issues, including transportation, water and economic development. The group also discussed the impact of unfunded mandates on local governments. Some of those mandates include health care, environmental regulations and education initiatives.

“Our state government bears many costs handed down by the federal government. Mandates imposed by one government to another can be burdensome and those costs usually end up being funded at the local level by local taxpayers,” said Van Duyne. “I appreciate our Texas Legislature taking the time to understand some of our issues and the budget situation we face.”

Additionally, Van Duyne advised the legislators in attendance that economic development was a great area in which the state and cities can partner to help create an environment that promotes business and economic vibrancy.

“The Governor’s Office of Economic Development has done an outstanding job in assisting in out-of-state recruitment opportunities. I would suggest we must look at how to help grow our small-to mid-sized businesses as well. There are few state-level programs that undertake this mission, and it is a void that we would like to see filled,” added Van Duyne.

The meeting took place at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington. State Rep. Diane Patrick welcomed the officials and was followed by briefings on city legislative agendas.

Sen. Kelly Hancock was in attendance, as well as Reps. Kenneth Sheets, Helen Giddings, Charlie Geren, Diane Patrick, Jonathan Stickland, Nichole Collier, Stephanie Klick, Bill Zedler, Craig Goldman, Chris Turner, Roberta Alonzo, and Matt Krause.

Source: City of Irving