For nearly two decades, Irving ISD Administration Building Security Officer Elsie Smith has made it her mission to protect, serve and inspire. This fall, her compassion and dedication were recognized when she received a Community Service Award from the local chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).
Before joining Irving ISD, Smith worked for the State of Louisiana’s Office of Community and Social Services for 29 years, serving as an administrative support team supervisor. After retiring and relocating to Texas, she joined Irving ISD Security, where she has now served for almost 18 years.
Group Photo with Monterios and Officer Smith
“For me, working in security is about safety and security first for our children and staff,” Smith says. “We strive each day to have peace of mind that we are visible and in a position to protect our students during the school day.”
Her care for students extends far beyond safety. One day, Smith met a student named Monterios Drake and his mother, who were inquiring about a workforce training program. Overhearing their conversation, Smith felt compelled to step in.
“Mom was upset, and Monterios wasn’t interested in what she wanted him to do,” Smith recalls. “I could just see a young man with hopes and dreams who needed a little encouragement.”
She connected the family with the district’s Adult Education and Literacy Department and encouraged Monterios to enroll in the district’s National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) training program, which offers students national certification in construction and industrial skills. “I told him, ‘If you enter the program and finish, I’ll have a reward for you,’” Smith says.
A month later, Monterios returned with his certificate and a smile, proudly showing Smith his accomplishments. True to her word, she surprised him with a monetary reward for his success.
That small act of encouragement changed Monterios’s path. He went on to complete the program, deliver a speech at graduation and secure a full-time job using the skills and certification he earned.
Officer Smith and Irving ISD Colleagues at the Award Ceremony
“Mentoring is one of the best things anyone can do for our children and community,” Smith says. “Children just need someone who believes in them.”
For Smith, receiving the NAACP Community Service Award, which was presented to her at a celebratory luncheon on October 4, serves as both an honor and a reminder to keep moving forward.
“I feel very inspired to do more for the community and continue to be involved with the students of Irving ISD,” she says. “I would also like to spread the word that the NAACP is continuing the work for all people. I am very proud to have been chosen for this honor.”
Through her years of service, Smith has not only helped keep Irving ISD safe but also guided students toward brighter futures, one conversation at a time.
