Many members of the Texas Retired Teachers Association (TRTA) know Verna Mitchell. Some may not know her full name—Verna “George” Brown Mitchell.
“I was the second child and second daughter,” she adds, “someone was going to have his (her father’s) name!”
Unlike some who enter the education field, Verna did not plan to become an educator.
“At 17, I was going to become a social worker and save the world!” Her mother insisted that she take education courses along with other course work and become a certified teacher.
As it turns out, this is one of the best decisions Verna ever made!
“I was so happy that I did because it wasn’t what I expected.”
She earned her Bachelor of Science at Huston-Tillotson University, but didn’t stop there. She also has a Master of Arts, as well as certifications in Mid-Management, Counseling, and Supervision.
Her first teaching assignment in Dallas ISD was middle school Social Studies. She also taught History and World Cultures. Some of her fondest classroom memories include seeing her students becoming not only academically successful but also exhibiting social growth.
Verna loved seeing “the students that are talented in music, dance and athletics realize the importance of their academic growth!”
After seven years in the classroom, she became a facilitator and went on to have roles as an instructional specialist, project manager, assistant principal, and principal.
“I served as principal of Maynard H. Jackson Vanguard School and Thomas Tolbert Elementary School.”
Her unique personal journey as she transitioned into these leadership roles may surprise you. In 1994, Verna received a liver transplant.
“My husband, William of 56 years, family, church, staff, friends, and students helped me through healing and recovery. School had started when I was told of needing the transplant. My prayer was to finish the school year and not cause disruption for the students and staff. Be careful what you ask for!”
Verna’s last day before beginning summer vacation was June 10, and she received “THE CALL” that her donor liver was ready on June 11 at 5:00 a.m.
She returned to school, working half days in October of 1994 and was working full-time again by December.
“The superintendent gave me the option of leaving the campus, but my choice was to remain a building principal.”
Just two years after her successful transplant, Verna opened a new school. In fact, of her career accomplishments, Verna is especially proud of being the first principal of Thomas Tolbert Elementary School when it opened in 1996.
“I was able to participate in the physical development of the school and able to interview over 200 teachers and support staff for positions at the school. This was done while I was still serving as principal of Jackson. The school improved academically from a D rating the first year to a B rating year 2!”
After serving for 35 years at DISD, she retired, being named Principal of the Year.
As it turns out, however, Verna wasn’t done! She then spent two years at Mt. Hebron Christian Academy as Executive Director/Principal and two years as principal of a Texans Can Academy (TAC) campus.
After the second year with TAC, “I reminded myself that I was to be retired,” which she did in June 2006, giving her a total of 39 years in education (35 at DISD, 2 at Mt. Hebron, and 2 at Texans Can).
Verna has been a member of TRTA since September 2002, when she joined the Dallas Retired Teachers Association (RTA) local chapter.
It was an easy choice for Verna, as she “wanted to remain active with those persons that I spent so many years with . . . persons who were interested in the educating of our students in Texas and wanting to remain as mentally and physically healthy as possible!”
Her favorite thing about being a member of TRTA is the camaraderie she enjoys with other retirees, as well as meeting and collaborating with retirees from all over the state.
Verna stays quite busy, serving as the Immediate Past President of Dallas RTA, and has served as First Vice-President of District 10. She also has served in her district as both the Legislative and Health Chair. At the state level, Verna chairs the Health and Safety Committee.
Verna is the sister of another well-known TRTA member, Dr. Thalia Brown Matherson. Together, Verna and Thalia were the first siblings inducted into the African American Education Archives and History Program’s Hall of Fame, a well-deserved recognition for their contributions to Dallas public school education.
The African American Archives and History Program (AAEAHP) accepts nominations submitted annually from persons and organizations for former educators that they deem worthy of being inducted to the African American Educator Hall of Fame. Verna’s sorority, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, nominated her in 2015. She successfully navigated the screening process and was inducted with the Class of 2015. At the time, the number of educators who had been honored since the awards program started in 2002 was 118.
An exhibit housed at the African American Museum in Dallas will become a traveling exhibit that will visit schools, libraries, and sites. The exhibit features Verna and Thalia prominently.
Verna is also a proud member of the Dallas School Administrators Association Hall of Fame.
“To be nominated and approved by my peers was and is quite humbling. I cherish both of these awards.”
Verna is married with three adult children, has two grandsons, and counts her pet yorkie as her constant companion. With the heart of a volunteer, you can also find Verna serving on the Discipline Task Force for Dallas ISD, the Volunteer Leadership Council and Patient Advisory Council for Baylor Scott-White in Dallas, the African American Museum Dallas Board of Trustees, the Southwest Transplant Alliance, and as Senior Affairs Commissioner District 3 for the City of Dallas.
Verna still finds time to spend with her youngest grandson, who is 12, attending sporting events, going to the movies, and traveling together. She also likes to read and dance.
“Of course, at 80 years old, I don’t dance as much as I use to!”
Dancer or not, Verna Mitchell is an exceptional human being, who has demonstrated her love for educating Texas schoolchildren and her community in every choice she has made since she decided to take that journey into education she wasn’t expecting.
“Education and teaching are a calling. You have to enjoy it to do it well. You may not receive immediate satisfaction or gratification of your work, but years later, when you see former students and they inform you of the impact that you made in their lives, you can celebrate!” Maybe even dance!
