Bertha Meza’s story is one of unwavering dedication to education, family and community. Since 1988, Meza has been a pillar in the Irving ISD community – impacting not only her children and grandchildren, but countless others along the way.
Her journey began 36 years ago at John Haley Elementary School where now-Board President Dr. Rosemary Robbins was the principal. Meza had just relocated to the United States from Mexico, and she recalls the challenges her family faced speaking little to no English.
“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,” says Meza.
She quickly saw the positive effect her involvement on campus had on her children’s education, and soon became an essential part of the campus community at John Haley. Meza supported the faculty on campus in various ways – from making copies and doing clerical work to assisting with decorating the classrooms and halls.
“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,” Meza adds. “Dr. Robbins was a great support as well. She’s the person who encouraged me to be a part of the LPAC (Language Proficiency Assessment Committee). 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 continued to serve in various volunteer capacities as her three children transitioned to middle and high school, serving in the schools her children attended and other schools as needed. During that period, she served at Bowie Middle School, Crockett Middle School, Singley Academy and Irving, MacArthur and Nimitz High Schools – leaving her mark on each campus. By 2010, Meza had jumped back into volunteering to support a third generation – her grandchildren. She began serving at Good Elementary, but transferred to Keyes Elementary when her grandson started attending school there. It was at this time that Meza decided to expand her educational journey and enroll in Irving ISD’s Adult Education and Literacy (AEL) program. Through the program, Meza earned her GED as well as certifications in hospitality and tourism, banking and CHW (Community Health Worker).
“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,” she says.
Meza is the acting PTA (Parent Teacher Association) president at Singley Academy and serves as a parent representative for the Texas Council of Parent and Family Engagement. Through this statewide initiative, the council aims to strengthen engagement in schools, ensuring that all parents feel welcomed and empowered to support their children’s education. Meza says her passion for helping children is what’s kept her going over the years. Whether it was guiding her own kids through their education or volunteering her time to support others, she always felt a deep sense of purpose. Her dedication isn’t only about being present – it’s about making a lasting impact.
Meza’s journey is a testament to the power of parental involvement. Her three children have all gone on to be successful in their careers – with her daughter becoming a lawyer and her sons working in the family business. These accomplishments are not just a reflection of their hard work but of the support and guidance Meza provided along the way.
She has become a role model for countless others in the community, building a legacy through her acts of service. In 2018, Meza was recognized by Irving ISD’s Parent Education & Community Engagement Department for her record-breaking 1,450 hours of volunteer work. Through it all, her goal has always been to inspire other parents to take an active role in their children’s education.
“As long as I’m here on this Earth, I’m going to volunteer and hope to inspire others to do the same,” says Meza.
