At their meeting on February 26, the Irving ISD Board of Trustees made a unanimous decision to rename the Irving ISD Professional Learning and Wellness Center in honor of Superintendent of Schools, Magda Hernandez.
"Naming the facility after Superintendent Magda Hernandez is not just an acknowledgment of her individual accomplishments; it also honors and celebrates the transformative impact she has had on Irving ISD," said Board President Randy Randle. "It symbolizes our collective appreciation for her dedication, leadership, and vision, and serves as an inspiration for generations to come."
Superintendent Hernandez, who took on the role in December 2018, has prioritized the wellbeing of all Irving ISD employees. In 2020, she initiated a campaign emphasizing the importance of self-care among staff.
She envisioned a facility that would promote wellness for staff, parents, and students alike. The Professional Learning and Wellness Center, slated to open in summer 2024, will provide a space for work, learning, and healing, not only for employees but also for Irving ISD families.
"I am truly honored and humbled," said Superintendent Hernandez. "Having a building named after me is a reminder of the impact we can have on this world."
The facility, funded by Tax Increment Fund (TIF) monies that could only be used on capital projects such as building in north Irving, is scheduled to open in the summer of 2024. It will house HIPPY (Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters), PEACE (Parent Education & Community Involvement), Adult Education and Literacy (AEL), Employee Wellness and Professional Learning spaces.
Under Superintendent Hernandez's leadership, HIPPY has doubled in size and is the only program in the nation to develop and implement the partner initiative HIEPE (Home Instruction Extension for Parents as Educators). The PEACE program has shifted focus from primarily volunteers to providing support, resources and instruction for families, truly pulling together the entire Irving ISD community. AEL has grown to an enrollment of almost 1,000, offering an array of classes (at no cost to the student) including GED, English and job skills that lead students to better jobs and opportunities. In fact, Irving ISD has been able to hire six graduates from the teaching assistant program offered through AEL. Each of these programs is known across the state and has representation at the state and or national level on councils and committees because it is recognized that Irving ISD is at the forefront of innovation and excellence in parent engagement and adult learning.
The completion of the Professional Learning and Wellness Center aligns with Superintendent Hernandez's vision of enhancing program services and supporting the wellbeing of employees and the Irving ISD community.
