Scholarship Spotlight: Margaret M. Young

A1 2Margaret M. Young was a passionate educator for 40 years in the Irving Independent School District. In 1951 she began her career in education as an elementary school teacher, setting the highest standards for herself and her peers and working diligently to reach every boy and girl in her care with creative learning experiences. In 1966, she went on to serve as school counselor at Bowie Junior High, followed by a position as reading consultant for Irving ISD and as a member of the State Textbook Committee. In 1979 she received the honor of being named TEPSAN of the Year by the Texas Elementary Principals and Supervisors Association.

First Female Principal
In 1973, Mrs. Young made history by becoming the first female principal in Irving ISD at Otis Brown Elementary. After five successful years at Otis Brown, she was asked by Superintendent of Schools, Dr. John F. Townley, to design a new elementary school. Using her own philosophy of education and research of learning methods and environment, Mrs. Young did just that. In 1979, Principal Young opened Townley Elementary School where she served as principal until her retirement in 1991. Townley Elementary, whose mascot is the “Torchlighter,” exemplified Margaret Young’s belief that it was her responsibility as an educator to “light the torch” for others, and she challenged all of those around her to do the same. She led by example and was passionate about empowering her staff to be the best they could be. A3 2

With the design of Townley Elementary, Principal Young, along with a group of teachers, was able to create a learning environment by writing “educational specifications” and a “design for learning.” The school’s design included spacious rooms and corridors. The entrance and hallways were welcoming with attractive murals, scenes and color. Special features included a small theater, a wood sculpture, fireplace, an aviary with live birds, a bridge and stream. The library – called the Media Center – was designed without interior walls, inviting children to discover the wonders of reading. Every facet of the building was designed to enhance the learning experience.

A2 2Principal Young was instrumental in changing the course of learning at Irving ISD. She was quoted in a February 1978 article in Irving Daily News as saying, “The need for education to be a lifelong process for teacher and student is obvious. For this reason, the environment must be so engineered as to cause those on the scene to be curious, excited and challenged by what they see, hear and do.” At the dedication ceremony for John F. Townley Elementary School, a representative from the Texas State Board of Education said, “This school, as dedicated today, is a culmination of the dreams of a community dedicated to the children.” During her time at Townley the school was recognized by the state as an Exemplary campus.

When asked her philosophy of education she said, “I like to relate to a story I once read about Louis Aguirre, a noted naturalist, who, with his crew, was to embark on an expedition to the North Pole. He called his crew together on board ship for last minute briefings and ended the meeting with these words: ‘We may not catch a whale, but we’ll have a lovely sail.’ In school business, I believe in catching the whale, but I also believe the environment that children are exposed to in the sailing process may be the most important element in catching a well-rounded, literate, well-adjusted, curious whale or a student with a whale of a capacity for learning!”A4 2

Mrs. Young’s joy for a life well lived was evident. She had an endless supply of energy and creativity that propelled her in every area. She was loved by family, staff, parents, and children alike, and all who knew her remember her contagious smile and attitude that “almost anything is possible if you put your mind to it!”

Watch scholarship video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eC9f8avncho&feature=youtu.be

Donate to this scholarship here: https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=E245518&id=178

Written by guest contributor Lisa Lobb

Adriana Colunga

Development Manager

Adriana Colunga

Development Manager

Margie Stipes

Director Emerita

Margie Stipes

Director Emerita

Margie Stipes has been an Irving resident since 1955. She and her late husband, John, raised three children together, Randy, now deceased, Larry, and Stacie. Margie worked 30 years as a secretary at American Airlines, receiving the company’s Customer First Award.

She has been active in schools and the community, serving on several bond program committees and with the city’s Charter Review Committee. Margie was president of the Nimitz High School Booster Club for several years and has been a longtime member of both the Keep Irving Beautiful Board and the Irving Schools Foundation Board of Directors.

Margie’s accolades include the High Spirited Citizen Award, Greater Irving Las Colinas Chamber of Commerce Community Service Award, Irving Schools Foundation Gala Award, and multiple local and national PTA awards for extended service. In 2014, she was inducted into the Irving Sports Hall of Fame. Margie is honored to be a namesake for IISD’s John and Margie Stipes Elementary School in south Irving.

Randy Randle

Board Member

Randy Randle

Board Member

Randy Randle is a lifelong resident of Irving. He attended Otis Brown Elementary School, Bowie Junior High School and graduated from Nimitz High School.  Randy attended The University of Texas at Arlington and received a Business Administration degree in accounting.

Mr. Randle has been married to Lynda for 28 years and has two sons who attended Irving Schools.  Randy has long been serving in leadership roles in both our schools and our community.  He has served as PTA fundraising chairman, Band Booster president and chairman of baseball concessions for the Booster Club.  Randy has served on two campus improvement committees and the District Improvement Committee.

Randy served on the Irving City Council for six years and was chairman of the finance committee. He also served as chairman of the City of Irving Bond Task Force.

Randy has attended the same church for 66 years and serves as a trustee, as well as chairman of the building committee.  Randy works in the family business, which has been in Irving for 60 years.

Andy Jones

Board Member

Andy Jones

Board Member

Andy is Vice President and Learning Experience Development Team Manager for Texas Capital Bank.

He has received the Volunteer of the Year Award at Texas Capital for the last two years. Andy continues to volunteer at the Resource Center Community Health Clinic (9 Years), the AT&T Performing Arts Center (6 years), Make a Wish Foundation (5 years), Oak Lawn United Methodist Church Administrative Board (1 year) and the Dallas Titans (9 years), a local softball team where he has coordinated raising over $120,000 to give back to the community in the form of back-to-school supplies, food for a local food pantry and sending children with cancer to summer camp.

Andy has a Masters Degree from the University of South Carolina and a Bachelor Degree from Winthrop University.

Kitty Boyle

Board Member

Kitty Boyle

Board Member

Kitty has held many leadership positions throughout her 55 years in Irving, TX including founding and serving as past chair for the Community College Association for Texas Trustees. Kitty is presently Chair of the board for the Ranch Academy, a charter school, where she have served on the board since 1998.

All six of her children graduated from IISD as have five of Kitty’s grandchildren as well. In 2011, Kitty and her husband John were named the Irving High Spirited Citizens. Kitty has a genuine heart for the citizens of Irving and it doesn’t go unnoticed.

Tracy McNeil

Secretary

Tracy McNeil

Secretary

Tracy McNeil is a Senior Sales Agent at Liberty Mutual Insurance/Comparison Insurance Agency. Prior, she retired from Enterprise Rent a Car after 27 years, with her achievements ranking her repeatedly in the top 10% nationwide.

In 2015, Tracy was voted Liberty Insurance Rookie of the Year for both Auto and Home. That same year, she joined ISF, serving on the Board of Directors before taking on the role of  Secretary of the Executive Committee. She has volunteered at the Ronald McDonald House Charities for Children and has great passion for the youth in Irving ISD.

Roger Carbajal

Personnel Chair

Roger Carbajal

Personnel Chair

Shannon Brown

Chair Elect

Shannon Brown

Chair Elect

Shannon has been a member of the ISF Board since 2019, having previously held the position of Development Chair. He currently serves as the Chief Compliance Officer at CoreLogic, which has its largest office in Irving and is an established corporate partner of ISF.

Shannon has lived in the DFW area since 1995 and in his spare time enjoys traveling, boating, and tennis; he participates on a softball team that has raised over $150K for DFW charities over the past 11 years. While having no children of his own, Shannon is passionate about helping the Irving ISD students, parents, teachers, and administrators.

David Pfaff

David Pfaff

Chair Emeritus

David Pfaff

Chair Emeritus

Anne Pfaff

Chair Emerita

Anne Pfaff

Chair Emerita

Michael Kelley

IISD Board of Trustees Representative

Michael Kelley

IISD Board of Trustees Representative

Michael Kelley grew up attending Irving ISD schools, and now he is serving them as a Trustee. He attended Townley Elementary School and Bowie Middle School and graduated from Nimitz High School in 2001. Kelley worked in manufacturing for 17 years and has been a realtor in Irving for six years. He and his wife, Stefanie, have two sons – a 10-year-old who attends Farine Elementary School and a 3-year-old who will enroll in the district’s tuition-based PreK program at Clifton Early Childhood School. 

In addition to his role on the Irving ISD school board, Kelley also serves his community in the following ways: neighborhood association president, vice president of the Irving-Las Colinas ABMUCS and youth baseball coach. He also served on the Irving Parks and Recreation Vision Committee. He has been a member of Fellowship Church for 15 years and serves on the church greeting team.  

Michelle Grady

Teacher Representative

Michelle Grady

Teacher Representative

Brook Tretter

Board Member

Brook Tretter

Board Member

Brook Tretter joined CoreLogic in 2006 and has held key client-facing and leadership roles throughout her tenure. She is currently responsible for leading the North America insurance sales organization and driving revenue growth and retention through innovative solutions that help insurance companies optimize their underwriting, risk management, and claims practices. She is passionate about driving growth and helping clients achieve their business objectives through strategic partnerships and a customer-centric approach.

Brook holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Linguistics from California State University, San Bernardino, where she developed a deep understanding of the science of language and its impact on society. She is dedicated to promoting diversity and inclusion and is actively involved in various employee resource groups and a founding member of CoreLogic’s PRIDE.

Allen Treadway

Board Member

Allen Treadway

Board Member

Smita Patel

Board Member

Board Member

Board Member

Smita Patel is an assistant vice president and wealth advisor with Frost Wealth Advisors. She joined Frost in 1997 and enjoys helping her clients reach their financial goals. Frost has been an ISF partner and Legacy Gala sponsor for many years.

In addition to being a member of the Irving Schools Foundation Board of Directors, Smita volunteers often with our Food For Thought program, assembling weekend food bags for IISD students experiencing food insecurity. She is honored to be part of ISF and  enjoys serving the community.

Smita enjoys cooking, traveling, and visiting family in her hometown of Toronto, Canada.

Reena Patel

Board Member

Reena Patel

Board Member

Andrew Knowlton

Board Member

Andrew Knowlton

Board Member

Andrew Knowlton, a 16-year Irving resident, is a driven professional who was recently appointed to the Irving Schools Foundation’s board of directors. He is currently employed at Spectrum Enterprise as a Program Manager, where he leads cross-functional teams and projects that drive business growth.

Andrew is a dedicated philanthropist and entrepreneur in addition to his professional accomplishments. He co-owns the Irving, TX-based Elite Dance Company of Texas with his wife Tiffany, where they provide top-notch dance education and training to students of all ages. Andrew and Tiffany are also the founders of the nonprofit EDCT Cares Inc whose mission is to inspire a lifelong passion for performing arts by providing dance and theater opportunities to children without access.

Andrew brings a love for education and a commitment to making a difference in the lives of students to the Irving Schools Foundation as a new board director. With his diverse background and wealth of experience, he is well-positioned to make a significant contribution to the Foundation’s mission and vision.

Michael Gonzales

Michael Gonzales

Board Member

Michael Gonzales

Board Member

Kumar Dronamraju

Board Member

Kumar Dronamraju

Board Member