Walter Cruz, a first-year teacher at Hanes Elementary School in Irving ISD, exemplifies the district's tradition of fostering students who give back to their communities. Cruz, an Irving ISD graduate, attended Pierce Early Childhood, Britain Elementary, Bowie Middle School, and Singley Academy. His educational journey, marked by supportive teachers and a strong foundation, led him to return to Irving ISD as an educator.
Cruz credits his fifth-grade teacher and soccer coach, Adrian Misiak, at Britain Elementary for helping him transition from English as a Second Language (ESL) classes. “Mr. Misiak made a huge difference during my transition from ESL (English As A Second Language) classes. When I first entered his class, I struggled with basics like writing in English, but he was always there to help me learn and grow, which made me more prepared for middle school,” Cruz recalled.
At Bowie Middle School, Cruz continued to excel, especially in the Gifted and Talented (GT) program. His high school years at Singley Academy were transformative, as he participated in the Homeland Security pathway, Business Professionals of America, student council, and the National Honor Society. Cruz attributes much of his personal growth to the guidance of Dr. Andre Smith, Singley Academy's principal, and his College, Career, and Military Readiness (CCMR) coach, Saydrianne Harris-Magee.
“Great schools have to be run by great leaders, and Dr. Andre Smith was always that. His first year as principal was also mine, so I was lucky to have spent all of my years in high school with him. Dr. Smith was always there for me. I would go to him for advice about anything, and he would always be there to help me, with a smile,” Cruz said. “My former CCMR coach Saydrianne Harris-Magee was also a great support. From applying to colleges to filling out FAFSA forms, she was always there to help me through the process. I don’t know where I would have been without her.”
Cruz's interest in finance was sparked by his Business Professionals of America club sponsor, Ms. Evans, which led him to major in finance at the University of North Texas at Dallas. While pursuing his degree, Cruz remained connected to education as an AVID tutor. After graduating, he realized the impact he could have as a teacher and decided to return to Irving ISD.
“When I interviewed with the administration staff at Hanes, they welcomed me with open arms and believed in my potential despite this being my first year as a teacher,” Cruz said. A heartwarming moment for Cruz was discovering that his former kindergarten teacher, Erika Morris, is now a counselor at Hanes. “Seeing her remember me after all these years was incredibly wholesome and sweet,” Cruz added.
Cruz will officially begin his teaching career on August 12, a milestone he attributes to the unwavering support of his family, particularly his parents, who immigrated from El Salvador to provide a better life for their children. “My parents are immigrants from El Salvador, and they sacrificed so much to come to the States, not knowing the language, to provide a better life for myself and my two younger sisters. Through it all, they always instilled in me the importance of having an education, and they wanted that to be my focus. I can recall our entire family living in one room of someone else’s house to my parents now being homeowners. They have always remained my biggest supporters as well as my biggest inspirations,” Cruz said.
