Meet TARA TORRES

Tara Torres hails from Wichita Falls, Texas, and has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio Art and Education.

The Torres family lives in Duncanville and includes Richard (husband), Jordan (son) (student at Texas A&M—College Station), Sofia (daughter) (freshman at FHS), and Olivia (daughter) (attends pre-school at Pinnacle Montessori).

Hobbies and interests focus mainly upon painting, running, and listening to “true crime podcasts.”

When asked for “favorite foods,” only one answer surfaced—TACOS! (I must admit that I could eat them every day and be content, too, especially if they varied from one main ingredient to another! But I digress!— Themer)

The “future plans” question seemed very easy for Tara, as she replied with, “I think I want to be an ART TEACHER forever! I love working one-on-one with the students, and I think I would miss the classroom and the bonds I make with ‘my kids’ if I ever left!”

Her heroes/mentors are her GRANDPARENTS. She shares that “my Grandfather came to Texas from Mexico to work when he was just a ‘kid’ and would send money back home to his mother. He is in his 90s and still works in his yard almost every day. Both of my Grandparents worked hard to provide for their family—even many years past their retirement ages. My Mom, Aunts, and Uncles have also always been hard workers and worked multiple jobs. And…..when I was in college, I even worked three part-time jobs!”

So, what brought Tara Torres to Forney? She shares that, “I moved to the DFW area after I graduated from college and worked for another District for six years— but had never heard of Forney! Then, I was invited to a ‘job fair’ here and was charmed by the smalltown ‘family feel.’ And, six years later, I am still here!”

“I commute sometimes up to 2.5 hours per day and bring my children here to attend school, because FISD is a great school district—not only in which to work but also for my children to be a part of. My son graduated in 2019 from Forney High School and was in the top 10% of his class!”

Tell us exactly what you do at “your job.” “My job entails so much! I feel that it is my main duty to foster my students to be better artists and to learn to appreciate art— and to become better people. I not only look after my own students in my classroom but also others I see at lunch, in the halls, and anywhere on the campus. I try to build positive relationships with all students I encounter.”

Also, “I am the UIL Academic Coordinator for Warren Middle School this year, and I teach approximately 6—8 ‘art steam camps’ during the summers through FISD.”

When asked to talk about awards and honors, our Art Teacher says that her students have brought home numerous medals from “JR Vase” during the past six years and that she (Torres) was one of the teachers included in the “viral video” of the “bathroom stall paintings.” She also was featured on the “Steve Harvey Show” with her “School Teacher vs. Student” Dance Champion!

I next asked TARA TORRES one of my “standard” questions: If you could be one person for a day and then return to being yourself, whom would you choose and why? Her answer proved to be one that several teachers have given—“ELLEN,” because she makes people laugh and is always happy herself. And then she admitted that she also likes Ellen’s dance moves!

And, given the chance to tell us anything else she would like for us to know, Tara said, “I have a busy Teacher/Mom life, but I love it!”

I am glad that you so enjoy teaching, Tara, because that seems to make it so much more effective, and I hope that your tenure in Forney will be long and prosperous. And, I invite you to become a “Forneyite” some day if the chance arises. I have only lived here 69 years and am biased, but I think our town is pretty special!—*Themer