For 36 years, Bertha Meza has been a pillar of the Irving Independent School District (ISD), dedicating her time and energy to supporting students, families, and educators. Her journey of service began in 1988 at John Haley Elementary School and has since spanned generations, impacting not only her children and grandchildren but the wider community.
Meza’s involvement began after relocating to the United States from Mexico. Facing challenges as a non-English speaker, she sought ways to support her children’s education. “My kids were behind in school, so I started going to their teachers and asking how I could help them outside of class. I started going over lessons with them at home, and due to their improvement, one of my son’s teachers asked me to start helping other students in the class who were also English-language learners. That’s when I began volunteering at the school,” Meza explained.
At John Haley Elementary, Meza quickly became an integral part of the campus, assisting with clerical tasks, decorating classrooms, and more. “Two of my kids’ teachers – Ms. Peña and Ms. Garcia – encouraged me to volunteer on campus. They always made me feel welcome and at home,” she shared.
Meza also credited now-Board President Dr. Rosemary Robbins for encouraging her to join the Language Proficiency Assessment Committee (LPAC). “Since I didn’t speak much English, Dr. Robbins would have a teacher accompany me to meetings to help translate so I understood. That was so sweet of her,” Meza recalled.
Her dedication extended to the middle and high schools her children attended, including Bowie Middle School, Crockett Middle School, Singley Academy, and Irving, MacArthur, and Nimitz High Schools. By 2010, Meza began volunteering again to support her grandchildren, serving at Good Elementary and later Keyes Elementary. During this time, she also pursued her own education through Irving ISD’s Adult Education and Literacy (AEL) program, earning her GED and certifications in hospitality, banking, and community health work.
“I love that the district has this offering for the community, so I was very excited to take advantage of it. I would even encourage other parent volunteers to sign up for the AEL program,” Meza said.
Currently, Meza serves as PTA president at Singley Academy and as a parent representative for the Texas Council of Parent and Family Engagement. “As long as I’m here on this Earth, I’m going to volunteer and hope to inspire others to do the same,” she said.
Meza’s contributions have been widely recognized. In 2018, she was honored by Irving ISD’s Parent Education & Community Engagement Department for completing 1,450 volunteer hours in a single year. Her dedication has left a lasting impact, with her three children achieving success in their careers, including her daughter becoming a lawyer.
Through her years of service, Meza remains focused on inspiring others. “Her passion for helping children is what’s kept her going over the years,” the district noted. Meza’s journey continues to be a testament to the power of parental involvement in education.
