Officials including the Texas House speaker are lauding the Taylor Independent School District for its “outstanding” mental-health initiatives, which led to an award at the Mexican American School Board Association’s September conference.
In applying for the award, the school district submitted the work of its Family Support Services, led by Coordinator John Matthews and supported by part-timer Yolanda Watson, whom trustees recognized at the Oct. 21 school board meeting.
Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan praised the school district during a recorded message at the conference.
“I have witnessed how committed our chamber is in support for mental health, so I know a mental-health champion when I see it,” Phelan said. “Mental health is and will always be critical to the success of our schools and students. … Congratulations, Taylor ISD for their dedication and continuous support of our students’ mental health.”
A Taylor ISD spokesman echoed Phelan’s sentiments.
“(Matthews and Watson) work tirelessly with community partners to provide all students with the support they need for social and emotional wellbeing, as well as academic success,” Community Liason Tim Crow said at the school board meeting.
“Applying for this award was a lot of fun because I got to go through the whole list of things that they do and share this with a bigger audience. And so, it really wasn’t a surprise when we got it because those two do such an outstanding job, far above and beyond.”
Taylor ISD’s Family Support Services works to locate and provide goods or services for students and their families, such as: • Distributing 500 backpacks full of school supplies in August • Providing $50,000 worth of clothes to 300 students in partnership with Operation School Bell in September • Launching Coats for Kids in a partnership with Stichin’ Time in the winter • Teaching English as a second language to Spanishspeaking adults and other adult education initiatives • Hosting a year-round mentorship program to allow elementary students to develop healthy intergenerational relationships with adults.
“It (the award) just highlights the fact that, you know, we’re making efforts to help our families and provide assistance where they need assistance and get everybody ready to come to school,” Matthews said.
In addition to the MASBA award, Matthews and his work were also recognized by Superintendent Jennifer Garcia-Edwardsen, who awarded him the district’s first Coin of Excellence in August.
“It was a big honor, huge honor. ... But I need to (say) … that I don’t do it alone,” Matthews said. “(Watson)’s a big help. And then (200) volunteers.
… Plus, I get support from our Central Office administration.”
Matthews has always wanted to work with children, he said. Studying communications disorders in college led him to begin his career in social work with Head Start — a program in Williamson and Burnet counties providing educational opportunities for children while encouraging self-sufficiency in families.
Then, he brought his experience to Taylor ISD, where he’s been for about 20 years.
“It’s gratifying because I feel like I am providing them (families) with help and maybe taking a little bit of stress out of their lives,” Matthews said. “If we can eliminate just a little bit of that (stress), you know, they’re gonna maybe have a better week, maybe have a better month.”
A memorable moment during his time with the school district occurred when a middle school boy told him, “Be careful, OK?” when Matthews drove around town to feed kids during the height of the COVID19 pandemic, in partnership with Sodexo, a food-service and facilities management company.
“I still remember it, and it just made me feel really good,” Matthews said. “It made me feel, you know, like I was doing something right. … I love my job.”
The sponsor of the September conference, MASBA, “empowers school board members to be culturally conscious leaders for the advancement of the Latino/Mexican American community” with a vision to create an equitable public school system, according to its website.
Applications for the association’s Recognition of Excellence awards open each spring. In addition to mental-health initiatives, school districts can be recognized for literacy initiatives, workforce-development initiatives, college-pathway initiatives, civics initiatives, cultural initiatives, English language learner initiatives, educator support initiatives, specialeducation initiatives, advocacy partners, initiatives to foster science, technology, engineering and math studies; superintendents; and as the Outstanding MASBA School District.
