Guess which principal just celebrated 45 years of service?

When J. P. Henderson Elementary School Principal Herlinda Garcia first joined Team HISD back in 1967, Lyndon B. Johnson was still president, a first-class postage stamp only cost five cents, and “Queen of Soul” Aretha Franklin had not yet released her hit song demanding “respect.”

But even after 45 years with the district, Garcia, who celebrated her anniversary with HISD on Jan. 23, has no immediate plans to retire. “We have a trademark of excellence here,” said the veteran educator, “and as long as I can continue to do that, I’ll stay. For me, it’s not really a job—it’s a mission.”

Garcia has been the principal of J. P. Henderson for the past 31 years, but she has also served as a teacher, a bilingual education specialist, and an assistant principal. So far, career highlights include visits from (then) presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Jesse Jackson, the use of the school cafeteria as the set for a scene in a 1995 Hollywood motion picture (Powder), and running into former students who have become attorneys, financial advisors, or other successful professionals.

Garcia appeared in a Within Our Walls (WOW!) video in 2010, and her school was one of those selected to showcase HISD’s achievements to representatives of the Broad Foundation last year.

Many other HISD employees are also marking milestones this week—see if you know anyone on this list:

35 years

• Juanita Morrow-Daniels, teacher, Dowling MS

30 years

• Virginia Caballero, custodian, Dodson ES
• Ruby Lewis, teacher, Peck ES
• Fanita Moore, teacher, N. Q. Henderson ES
• Joann Rodriguez, teaching assistant, Janowski ES
• Jane Vanlandingham, teacher, Worthing HS
• Andrea Weston, teacher, Walnut Bend ES

25 years

• Esmelda Bruce, teacher, Henry MS
• Mary Chervenka, attendant, Food Services
• Melida Escalante, attendant, Food Services
• Gladys Francis-Stennis, attendance clerk, Westbury HS

20 years

• Winifred Boyd, crossing guard, Bush ES
• Linda Byrd, attendant, Food Services
• Gloria Del Rio, custodian, Herod ES

15 years

• Delfino Castanon, asbestos abatement worker, Construction & Facilities Services
• Lourez Clemons, clerk, Attendance Boundaries & Transfers
• Maria Garcia, custodian, Jordan HS
• Eliza Saenz, clerk, Martinez ES
• Evelyn Skinner, nurse, Osborne ES
• Tracy Stangle, teacher, Whittier ES
• Maria Vega, bus driver, Transportation Services

10 years

• Patricia Keeling, clerk, Mading ES
• Maria Luna-Lira, custodian, Neff Early Learning Center
• Rick Nagir, teacher, Brookline ES
• Dachundralyn Palmer, data entry clerk, Paige ES
• Glenda Platt, clerk, Bush ES
• Janet Rodriguez, teaching assistant, Peck ES
• Mayuri Surati, secretary, Secondary Curriculum
• Leticia Vasquez, attendant, Food Services

5 years

• Abigail Anyanwu, associate teacher
• Cathy Brisby, teaching assistant, Ryan MS
• Shirley Curry, teacher, CEP Southwest
• Sheryl Kirk, associate teacher
• Guillermina Mauricio, clerk, Alternative Certification Program
• Lindsey McElligott, teacher, Condit ES
• Linh Tran Nguyen Moore, teacher, Golfcrest ES
• Helen Mototo, teacher, Attucks MS
• Andre Shackelford, teacher, North Houston Early College HS
• Andrea Spivey, Special Education chair, McReynolds MS
• Billy Waters Jr, teaching assistant, Black MS
• Stephenia West, clerk, Reagan HS

Check back next Friday for more January Milestones – and if you know someone who should be featured in this space, let us know at info@houstonisd.org. Leave a comment below if you’d like to congratulate any of the above employees.