A large group of friends and supporters of Linda Griffin, Place 3 Garland ISD board trustee, gathered at the Poetry Place recently for a multi-purpose celebration. She wanted to thank the attendees for their support of her as well as their support of public education, announce her intention to seek re-election and celebrate her birthday.
Griffin, the first African-American woman to occupy a seat on the school board, has served since 1998 and is known in the Garland community as someone who has a heart for children and public education.
“There are some schools that are doing an exceptional job. If you need to know where they are, go no further,” she said. “It’s Garland ISD.”
She added that GISD’s rating is a B, and that is not with 5,700 students, but with 57,000 students.
“Public education is what it’s all about,” Griffin said. “Without education cities die and states die. Our children are not our future our children are our today.”
A letter in which State Representative Rhetta Andrews Bowers, HD 113, announced her support for Griffin’s campaign and public education initiatives, was read by Legislative Aide Carrol Rimal.
“As your friend and colleague, always know that I am here for you for we are in this together,” Bowers’ letter stated.
Fellow Garland ISD Board of Trustees member Johnny Beach was also on hand to support and celebrate with Griffin.
“She [Griffin] has the passion to want to serve,” he said. “She is a dear friend of mine, a Christian friend…This individual is a great trustee.”
Another supporter, Felicia Hammons, retired California educator and principal, said that Griffin’s intention to run for re-election is great for Garland ISD.
‘I have been a substitute teacher in the Garland ISD for over 10 years and I’m so glad that Linda Griffin is going to run again because she has done a marvelous job for the students in Garland,” she said.
The trustee has several reasons for seeking re-election.
“I’m running again because my job is not done. All of our kids can reach proficiency, which means excellence. And there are things we have started that I’d like to see accomplished,” she said. “My love for children has never stopped. I’ve never stopped advocating. I’ve never stopped fighting for what is right. I just think kids need more opportunity. I need to stay around and see to all those.”
She added that her work is not done until every child walks across the stage, until every child passes all their accountability tests and until every child’s dream is a reality.
“I must continue to fight,” she said.