January is School Board Recognition Month, and Round Rock ISD is proud to recognize the dedicated trustees who volunteer their time, expertise and hearts to serve our students and community. Our Round Rock ISD Board of Trustees represents a wide range of experiences as parents, educators, professionals and lifelong advocates for public education, but they share a common commitment: ensuring every student in Round Rock ISD has the opportunity to learn and grow.
We asked our trustees what inspired them to serve, their own experiences with education, their connection to the district and what continues to drive their passion for serving Round Rock ISD.
Why did you want to be a trustee?
Pres. Alicia Markum, Place 4: “Our public schools are the heartbeat of our communities. A strong public school system is essential to a thriving community, and every child deserves the opportunity to reach their full potential. I have always believed in using my time to serve the community I live in, especially our schools, and in taking care of one another. Serving as a trustee allows me to invest in our community in a meaningful way by helping strengthen our schools so they support all students.”
Trustee Amy Weir, Place 5: "After complaining about district issues for years, I decided it was time to put up or shut up, so I ran for the board in hopes of making a positive change."
Trustee Fabián Cuero, Place 6: "Representation matters! I look forward to bringing both my professional expertise and years of volunteer service to the Board to help the district achieve its goals."
What is your connection to Round Rock ISD 3?
Trustee Amber Landrum, Place 3: “I moved to Round Rock ISD in 2002 specifically for the school district. Even though I only had a 1-year-old at that time, I knew how important a strong school district would have on my child(ren), community and even my home values.”
Vice Pres. Melissa Ross, Place 2: “My relationship with Round Rock ISD has grown alongside my life. I first knew the district as a student, later returned after college to teach at Westwood High School, and eventually experienced it again as a parent. Each role gave me a different perspective, and together they’ve shaped how I show up today as a trustee.”
Cuero: “My connection to the district starts with my kids attending Round Rock ISD. In 2006 I joined the WATCH D.O.G.S. program at Double File. At Hernandez Middle School is where I joined the STARS Mentor program, working with at-risk students. There, I also served as PTA Vice President of Membership working to strengthen collaboration between parents and teachers, to improve student outcomes, and enrich school culture.”
What were you doing when you were in high school?
Markum: “I grew up in a quintessential Friday Night Lights Texas town. On Friday nights, you could usually find me on the field performing with the marching band—as a clarinetist, twirler, and member of the color guard. Beyond band, I was involved in several service-oriented clubs, including Key Club and Peer Tutoring, where I had the opportunity to mentor elementary students.”
Trustee Chuy Zárate, Place 1: “I was very active in extracurricular activities. Theater was my main interest, but I was also involved in choir, student council, speech and was class president for three years. I was always very busy.”
Secretary Dr. Michael Wei, Place 7: “I played soccer and made it to the school soccer team. I also enjoyed playing guitar in my spare time.”
What advice would you give your school-aged self?
Landrum: “One of my favorite quotes is: ‘You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, smarter than you think, and loved more than you know.’”
Ross: “I’d tell myself that not every goal needs to happen immediately, and that focusing too much on the future can make you miss the present. It’s OK to take a breath and to lean in sometimes—school doesn’t have to be resisted to be survived.”
Markum: “I would remind my school-aged self that you are not limited by the boxes other people may try to place you in. Your potential is not defined by labels or someone else’s assumptions, and you are truly capable of anything you are willing to work hard at. Believe in your ability to make a difference, and never be afraid to make some noise.”
What did you want to be when you were a student?
Cuero: “The first time I flew in an airplane was when I migrated to the U.S. At that time, I thought it would be cool to be a pilot and fly all over the world.”
Zárate: “I wanted to be a teacher. My plan was to teach Theater in the daytime to supplement my professional theater career at night. I got it half right.”
Landrum: “I attended Texas A&M University and entered college as a Biomedical Engineering major. I wanted to work in prosthetics. However, I ended up changing my major and graduated with a degree in Sociology and a minor in math. I went on to get my Master’s in Education Counseling and worked in private practice for several years.”
Which teacher or class had the greatest impact on you, and why?
Wei: “My Ph.D. professor had the greatest impact on me, especially when my research project seemed to be a dead-end. He told me to think out of the box and guided me to be an independent researcher. That helped me not only complete my dissertation but also benefits my life beyond my graduation.”
Weir: “My second grade teacher, Mrs. Northrup, and my fifth grade teacher, Mrs. Jackson. Both were kind, but challenging, let me work at my own pace, and made learning fun.”
What’s something you're passionate about in our district?
Ross: “I’m deeply committed to ensuring students can find learning environments where they truly belong. That includes our district’s long-standing leadership in fine arts, as well as the growth of non-traditional campuses and pathways. Watching Success High School grow from a portable building into a thriving campus, alongside the expansion of Early College High School and CTE programs, shows what’s possible when we design schools around students. I know high-school-aged me would have thrived in those spaces.”
Zárate: “I am, obviously, a big proponent of the arts. It is my life, and I want young people that ‘get the bug’ to create to have every opportunity to do so. Artists are a very important piece of the world community. I love that our district fosters creativity in all aspects of our offerings. I am also blown away by the fact that students can come out of school with an Associate Degree. I am doing everything I can to make sure people know about the focus we have on our students' continuing education. They are going to change the world, and I can't wait to see what they do!”
Weir: “Making sure that all our students have access to the ‘extras’ that Round Rock ISD offers, that each school community is getting what they need, that going to a Title 1 school or not having the same financial resources as others doesn't hamper a student's opportunities.”
Wei: “I am proud of our students' ability to thrive in different areas! I hope I can safeguard our district's focus on student outcomes and grow our district to the next level by optimizing resources and strengthening sustainability.”