For the Alvarez family, Irving ISD is much more than a place to work – it is home. Mike and Jenny raised their five daughters in the district, seeing them progress from Brown Elementary to Lamar Middle School and finally, graduate from Nimitz High School. Throughout their school years, all five daughters were heavily involved in sports, with Mike and Jenny always there to cheer them on.
But graduating from high school didn’t mean goodbye. In fact, four of the Alvarez daughters have served in Irving ISD as teacher, coach, paraprofessional or in some other capacity. Today, Mike and Jenny, along with three of their daughters, Micky, Meagen and Mindy, proudly work in the district they love.
“I love having my family work for Irving ISD. We enjoy the time off together, and when we need help finding out an answer, someone always knows the answer,” says Jenny, who has served as an HR staffing assistant for 21 years.
Jenny adds that one of her favorite parts of having her family nearby is getting to eat lunch with her second eldest daughter, Micky, who also works in the Administration Building.
Micky began her career in Irving ISD at Hanes, where she worked as a PE aide. After several years of working in a variety of roles around the district, Micky briefly moved to California. But she couldn’t stay away for long and soon returned home to Irving ISD. Today, she serves as the office manager for the fine arts department and is going on her 15th year of service in the district.
Mindy and Meagen serve as middle school coaches. Mindy, who started working for Irving ISD as a textbook clerk immediately after graduating from high school, knew all along that she was meant to be a teacher and coach. While she worked full-time in a variety of behind-the-scenes roles, Mindy took college courses at night to earn her bachelor’s degree and teaching certification. In 2012, she joined Lamar Middle School as a physical education teacher and coach.
“Coaching and being physically active is my passion,” says Mindy. “I love being able to share that passion with my students and instill a love for being active, playing sports and making fitness fun. I love working here so much that I just can’t seem to leave.”
Meagen, the youngest member of the Alvarez family, knew from a young age that she wanted to be a teacher. During her days at Nimitz, she participated in PALS, a program that allowed her to act as a teacher’s assistant. Her love for education and Irving ISD was solidified during her college years when she volunteered in various departments during holidays and the summer break.
“Throughout those years, my love for Irving ISD grew, and I knew once I became a teacher I would work in Irving,” says Meagen. “Middle school was where I needed and wanted to be. I am still currently working as a teacher/coach and I love it!”
Meagen began as an aide in 2014 then became a coach at Austin Middle School, where it’s not uncommon for her to run into her dad, Mike, who serves as the campus security guard.
It was seven years ago and a month into Mike’s retirement when he learned about the open campus auxiliary officer position at Austin Middle School. After considering his extensive experience with teenagers, with five daughters of his own and more than 30 years involvement as a softball coach and volunteer with youth at church, he decided to apply.
“I enjoy working with teenagers,” says Mike. “One reason I wanted this job was to communicate with students and help them go through school and go to college. This is what I want for these kids here, for them to do what I taught my own kids to do as a parent.”
Collectively, the Alvarez family has dedicated more than 70 years to Irving ISD, creating a legacy of dedication and hard work throughout Irving ISD.
“We definitely talk about work a lot and it never gets old,” says Mindy. “I love that we all have a passion for kids and education, and we love Irving ISD.”
