Vicki Rockett - PISD School Board Candidate, Place 6

Editor’s note: The Gazette will profile the Place 7 candidates for PISD School Board in the March 14 edition.

I am excited to announce that I have filed as a candidate for Place 6 on the Pittsburg ISD Board of Trustees.

I retired from Pittsburg Independent School District at the end of August after 31 years in education. I was a substitute teacher for 3 years, a teachers’ aide for one year, a classroom teacher for 8 years, an assistant principal for 2 years, and a principal for 17 years. 21 of those years were spent at Pittsburg ISD and were truly the best years of my career in education.

Pittsburg is our home. We love this town and the people in it. I have been married to Dale Rockett for 38 years and we have two sons who are graduates of Pittsburg High School. Russell, who lives in Fort Worth, is employed in the technology department of an investment firm. Ryan and his wife, Shelby, along with our grandson, Eli, live in Diana. Ryan is a police officer with Longview PD. Shelby is a Special Education teacher at Gladewater ISD.

After a long career in education, I knew it was time to retire and start the next chapter of my life. I would like for that chapter to include volunteering and serving my community.

When I learned that Mr. Jerral Walker decided not to seek reelection, I felt led to seek a place on the PISD Board of Trustees. I believe that my experience in education and my years in the Pittsburg schools have fully prepared me to serve in this capacity. I am knowledgeable of school laws, policies, and procedures and the daily work involved in teaching our students. There are so many great and exciting things happening throughout PISD and, as a School Trustee, I will look forward to seeing those things continue.

The state continues to place more and more mandates on local school districts each year. Testing requirements are rigorous and stressful. Because our teachers are so

committed and devoted, they work hard to ensure that our students continue to meet the demands that are placed on them. Hopefully, our State Legislators will address the constraints they have placed on schools before this current legislative session ends in May. In the meantime, our teachers and administrators will continue to rise to the occasion and concentrate on our students.

I truly believe that PISD has the best teachers anywhere. I have been associated with dedicated, caring teachers who work more hours each week than anyone will ever really know. They do it because they truly care about their students and want the best for them.

I also believe that PISD has the best parents anywhere. I have been blessed to work with many, many parents over the years. Together we would address needs and concerns for their children, as well as celebrate victories and achievements. Teachers do not take lightly the responsibility entrusted to them when parents bring their children to school each day.

If elected as a member of the Board of Trustees, I will pledge to support our students and staff in every way possible. Vicki Rockett