Natividad recognized by State Board of Education
By LYNETTE SOWELL
Cove Leader-Press
A Copperas Cove woman is being recognized on the state level after being named one of the 2019 Heroes for Children, a designation given annually by the State Board of Education (SBOE) to 15 school volunteers selected from each of the 15 SBOE districts statewide.
Edith Natividad’s volunteer work with children began more than three decades ago when she, as a military spouse, began volunteering at school to help her children adjust to new schools.
According to her nomination, Natividad’s volunteerism began by helping struggling third-grade readers in Copperas Cove ISD. She soon served as vice president of the PTA and was involved in various activities such as family nights that focused on different core subjects. She organized and launched a Multicultural Family Night that features a fashion show and food tastings on her former campus, Wiliams-Ledger Elementary School, as well as started an after-school hula dance club for kindergarten through second-grade students. The children not only learn basic hula moves but learn to tell their right hand from their left hand while having fun.
Additionally, Natividad works with youth who have been selected as city ambassadors and involves them in more than 5,000 hours of service annually.
She is presently a volunteer at Fairview/Jewell Elementary School.
Collectively, Natividad and her fellow award recipients have donated 179 years of service to the Texas public schools.
A ceremony takes place on Friday, September 13, at 9 a.m. in Room 1-104 of the William B. Travis State Office Building, located at 1701 N. Congress Ave. in Austin.
Natividad and the 14 other honorees will receive plaques, recognitions from Governor Greg Abbott, and have their names inscribed on a perpetual plaque that is permanently on display at the Texas Education Agency.
The ceremony is open to the public and will also be livestreamed at http://www.adminmonitor.com/tx/tea/.
Over the past 25 years, the SBOE has recognized at total of 465 Texans with this award.
“The amount of service provided by these 15 Heroes for Children award recipients is awe inspiring. These volunteers daily demonstrate a huge commitment to their communities and to children. They provide important services that have literally changed the lives of children. We hope they will inspire others to volunteer in their local schools,” said SBOE Chair Donna Bahorich.
Also to be recognized with Natividad are, Maria Estevane (Laredo ISD), Anita Garcia (La Joya ISD), Julia Saenz (La Joya ISD), Juan Sorto (Houston ISD), Sheryl Westwick (Eanes ISD), Julie Hinaman (Cypress-Fairbanks ISD), Brenda George (Brazosport ISD), Linda Sparks (Conroe ISD), Ashley Gibbs (Pleasant Grove ISD), Kathi Walrath (Salado ISD), Roger Grizzard (Weatherford ISD), Katie Walsh (Frisco ISD), Loretta Burns (Fort Worth ISD), and Roddy “Bud” Allred (Vega ISD).