Herrera ES art teacher takes pride in students’ masterpieces

Lucretia Copeland didn’t start out wanting to be an art teacher, but a casual suggestion made by her son years ago has resulted in a lengthy career doing just that.

“I was so frustrated at the time, as an environmental engineering student,” said Copeland. “And my son came and put his arm around me and said, ‘You love art and you love kids. Why don’t you be an art teacher?’ At the time, I just laughed at him.”

Copeland has been teaching art since she joined Team HISD in 1984, first at Deady Middle School, later at Cage Elementary, and now at Herrera Elementary, where she’s been for the past 16 years.

“One of the highlights of the year was having one of my fourth-graders, Breanna Kring, win ‘Best of Show’ at the Houston Livestock and Rodeo this year,” said the Oklahoma City native. “I’ve had six or seven students earn that distinction over the years, and it just shows how far these kids have come. It really gives me hope for the future. There’s a lot of support in this community and it really makes a difference.”

Copeland officially marked her 30th anniversary with the district on April 5, but several other employees are also marking theirs this week (March 30–April 5). See if you know anyone on this list:

25 years

• Carmen Rodriguez, manager, Accounts Payable

20 years

• Amparo Arbizu, teacher, Rodriguez ES
• Estella Avalos, teaching assistant, Scarborough ES
• Cenaida Betourne,  teacher, Wainwright ES     
• Maria Castro, teacher, Rodriguez ES
• Maria Celestinos, teaching assistant, Tijerina ES
• Richard Hall, senior plant operator, Construction & Facility Services
• Cynthia Nemons, student records specialist, Office of Student Support     
• Eunice Warfield, clerk, Grissom ES

10 years

• Ramiro Arredondo Jr, painter, Construction & Facility Services
• Susana Gonzalez, custodian, Construction & Facility Services
• Edward Marek, teacher, Hamilton MS
• Robert MacHado, officer, Police Department
• Pontus Murphy-Kimble, teacher, Fondren ES
• Susanne Oliver, teacher, Lovett ES
• Ricardo Sahagun, plant operator, Construction & Facility Services
• Jerry Woodbury, senior telecoms repairer, Construction & Facility Services

5 years

• Todd Berry, teacher specialist, Welch MS
• Carlos Bravo, associate teacher
• Patricia Cook, nurse, Stevens ES
• Esperanza Gil, custodian, Construction & Facility Services
• Thomas Haney, associate teacher
• Nathan Henderson, associate teacher
• Juanoga Kendrick, account representative, Medicaid/Property Mgmt
• Hubbard Lennard, associate teacher
• Erika Longtin, teacher, Bonham ES
• Dalea Lugo, associate teacher
• Melanie Miller, associate teacher
• Marmar Mollazal, associate teacher
• Timoteo Pedraza, mechanic team lead, Transportation Services
• Willie Pharms, crossing guard, Laurenzo ECC
• Kecia Rose, teaching assistant, Hines-Caldwell ES
• Eun Sim, teacher, Martinez ES
• Guadalupe Smith, bus driver, Transportation Services
• Sherilyn Smith, associate teacher
• Donna Watson, crossing guard, Wesley ES
• Kamanonie Wiley, teaching assistant, Daily ES                      

Check back next Friday for more April Milestones. Leave a comment below if you’d like to congratulate any of the above employees.