Heritage, Culture, and Education: Recognizing Vardemans Principal Orfelinda Todd During Hispanic Heritage and National Principal Month

Disponible en:

October is a special month for some educators as National Principals month and Hispanic heritage coincide for the first two weeks of the month. For some, this time of the year might be dedicated to other celebrations. However, for Mrs. Orfelinda Todd, principal of Vardeman primary, this is an opportunity to show her heritage pride and take in the recognition as a Hispanic Principal, serving a community in a school district where nearly 73 percent of the students have a Hispanic background.

“Hispanic Heritage month is a time where we can celebrate who we are,” said Todd. “It is important to celebrate us, so we can acknowledge the different kinds of heritage we have. Also, this gives us the time to learn about our history and the direction to know where we are going.”

Todd believes fate brought her to Texas and education. Growing up in Mexico, her childhood dream was to work in the Human Resources department of a company. However, one vacation trip in 1987 changed her life path when she fell in love with learning the English language and after close friends encouraged her to stay in Texas. Now, she has been working in Aldine ISD for 24 years and describes her journey to being a principal as interesting, fun, challenging, and rewarding. As a Hispanic female, it has been vital for her to be a role model.

Becoming a principal was difficult for Todd, but she saw it as an attainable goal for her future.

“My challenges were having to prove I am capable of doing this job,” said Todd. “I have had to work twice as hard to prove I am capable, but those challenges created opportunities to grow, and I have been lucky.”

As a principal, Mrs. Todd’s values guide her life path and leadership style. She believes in integrity, trust, honesty, love, and people. She acknowledges that it isn’t easy being a Hispanic principal. However, those challenges don’t faze her, as she has been able to find a positive light through uphill battles by stating, “it is difficult, but have faith.”

“I am Mexican, and I am very proud of that. Being a principal can sometimes get lonely because of our duties, but being celebrated means we are being acknowledged, and that matters. Just like being Hispanic matters, being a principal and being celebrated matters. Everyone should have their moment to shine and be celebrated, and its awesome principals are being celebrated.”

As the principal of Vardeman, Mrs. Todd believes that it is her responsibility, as an educator and a member of society, to inspire her students and others to feel proud of their heritage, culture, and customs. She aims to teach our children the beauty of being different.