Tribute to Texas Children Awarded

For their service and commitment to Texas public education, The Honorable Charlie Geren, a member of the Texas House of Representatives, and Dr. Andra Penny, a Coppell ISD principal, have been named this year’s recipients of the prestigious Sandi Borden Tribute to Texas Children Award.

The Honorable Charlie Geren was elected to the Texas House of Representatives in November 2000. He currently serves as Chairman of the Local and Consent Calendars Committee. For the last 23 years, Chairman Geren has supported many bills that improve student learning and the state’s education system. He has made a sustained commitment to public schools by voting against vouchers, education savings grants, and other schemes designed to divert taxpayer dollars to private entities. These votes mean Chairman Geren has often opposed his own party leadership.

Honoring TEPSA’s mission to keep children at the heart of lawmakers’ decision-making, Chairman Geren has also greatly contributed to public education through his leadership in the Tribute to Texas Children monument restoration project. In 1993, thousands of students in more than 600 Texas schools raised $190,000 for the monument. Depicting 6 children on a field trip to the State Capitol, the monument was the first of its kind in the U.S. Since then, it has become a destination for Capitol visitors, and children love to pose and play with the life-size statues. Gradual wear eventually meant the statues needed to be refurbished, and Chairman Geren played a critical role in expediting their repair. Thanks to the efforts of Chairman Geren, the State Preservation Board, and many others, TEPSA is proud to announce that we will be rededicating the Tribute to Texas Children statues as soon as they have been repaired and restored to their location on the north side of the Texas Capitol.

Dr. Andra Penny has served as the principal of Cottonwood Creek Elementary since its opening in 1996. Prior to leading Cottonwood Creek, she was an assistant principal in Coppell ISD and Denton ISD. During her 27 years at Cottonwood Creek, she has mentored thousands of students and teachers. Many educators who have worked under Dr. Penny’s leadership have gone on to become school principals, and five of her former elementary school students returned to Cottonwood Creek after graduation to become teachers.

Dr. Penny has served as a role model for countless aspiring administrators. For more than two decades, she has been an adjunct professor at the University of North Texas and was recognized as their Outstanding Alumnae in 2000. She is also an adjunct professor at Columbia University for both the New York City and New Orleans campuses. She also served on the Leadership Advisory Council for Capella University. Dr. Penny has presented at more than 300 workshops and conventions throughout Texas and nationally. In addition, Dr. Penny serves as a consultant for effective principal leadership, campus morale, and best practices.

“We are proud to honor Chairman Geren and Dr. Penny for their longtime public service and advocacy on behalf of Texas students and educators. They lead—at the Capitol and on campus—with children’s best interest at heart,” TEPSA Executive Director Harley Eckhart said.

The Sandi Borden Tribute to Texas Children award recognizes individuals or companies who demonstrate a:

• History of distinguished and exceptional service to children and public education in Texas schools;
• Record of leadership and sustained commitment to service through professional activities and involvement; and a
• Commitment to PK-8 youth, their education, health and welfare.

Learn more about the Sandi Borden Tribute to Texas Children Award.