AISD Trustee Dr. Viola M. García Named to Mayor Turner’s Literacy Advisory Board

Aldine ISD Trustee Dr. Viola M. García has been appointed to Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner’s Literacy Advisory Board.

Aldine ISD Trustee Dr. Viola M. García has been appointed to Mayor Sylvester Turner’s Literacy Advisory Board.

In Sept. 2019, Mayor Turner launched the new Mayor’s Office for Adult Literacy (MOAL) to work collaboratively in addressing the literacy crisis in Houston and to advance the cause of adult education and literacy in Houston.

According to the 2014 Houston Literacy Crisis: A Blueprint for Community Action of the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation, one out of every five adults in Houston is functionally illiterate and 24% of the city’s adults lack a high school diploma.

Mayor Turner said he was pleased to have Dr. García as part of the advisory board.

“As a recognized leader in the Houston community, your contributions to our city make you a valued partner,” Mayor Turner said in a letter to Dr. García. “It is my distinct pleasure to invite you to accept an appointment to serve as a member of this vital board that will be focused on important work to help move Houston forward.”

Federico Salas-Isnardi, the Mayor’s Director for Adult Literacy, said Dr. García will bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to the Board.

“I know of your personal and professional engagement with adult literacy and other education initiatives,” Salas-Isnardi said. “Also, sitting on the board of one of the city’s largest school districts you have a perspective on the needs of families in the Aldine area.”

Dr. García has served as an Aldine Trustee since her appointment to the Position 7 seat in 1992. She is Aldine’s longest current board member. In addition to serving as an Aldine ISD Trustee, Dr. García is a member of the Mexican American School Board Members Association and has served as that group’s president. She is also a member of the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) and currently serves as secretary-treasurer. She is also a life member of PTA and serves as the education liaison for the Greater Inwood Super Neighborhood Council.