Although Maclovia Chesshir graduated from Patti Welder High School in 1952, she says she has never stopped being a student with Victoria ISD. In 1969, Chesshir started her first of many years as an employee in the district. “Every day, I would learn something new, and I loved it,” said Chesshir. “I have been a student with VISD all my life.”
Before graduating from Patti Welder, Chesshir attended Juan Linn Elementary and Mitchell School. Out of all her teachers from those three schools, Chesshir remembers one particular educator fondly.
“There was one teacher that I had at Mitchell, Mrs. May,” said Chesshir. “She encouraged me in many areas of life and would tell me to keep going. I absorbed every word she talked to me about. I could go to her if I had any drama or problems or anything. She was one of my mentors.”
When asked how her time as a VISD student prepared her for the future, Chesshir said, “They prepared me to not look back, to keep going forward and do the very best I can, and if my very best is not the same as someone else’s, it is still my very best.”
Chesshir credits her dad as the main reason she started her career with VISD. “My father was a musician, and he called me one day and said that one of his partners in his orchestra was leaving to Austin,” said Chesshir. “That partner’s wife was a secretary at Mitchell, so they had an opening for that position.” Chesshir went through three rounds of interviews for that position before being hired. “The main reason I got that job was because I’m bilingual,” said Chesshir. “I didn’t really know much about school business, so they hired me on “probation” for three months to see how it went.”
Those first three months at Mitchell must have gone well; Chesshir went on to work in VISD for 54 years. “If it hadn’t been for my dad telling me about the job opening, I don’t know where I would be right now,” said Chesshir. “I’m very grateful that he mentioned that position to me.”
Not only did Chesshir return to work for VISD after being a student in the district, but she also retired from VISD and then came out of retirement for a while before finally retiring again this year. “I went back [initially] because it was a learning setting,” said Chesshir. “I was intrigued by how the system works with our children, the records, the paperwork. I also have met so, so many people who had a big influence on me going back to work for them with VISD; they were good to me, and I was a faithful and loyal employee.”
Despite working with VISD for over half a century, Chesshir never lost passion for her job. “I enjoyed every minute of it and looked forward to going to work every day,” she said. “I wish I was a little younger so I could still work. Although, I feel like I still have a lot to offer.”
Over the years, Chesshir has also developed lasting relationships with countless students, teachers, and parents, always going above and beyond to help in any way she could.
“Having no children of my own, I have had a lot of children, in my heart and mind, that I’ve accumulated over the years,” said Chesshir. “When I’m out and about, I’ll still have former students or parents come up to me. Once, a lady tapped me on the shoulder, and I turned around and said, ‘Yes, ma’am?’ She said, ‘Mrs, Chesshir, do you remember me?’ I told her that if she kept talking, I might remember her voice. She said, ‘When I came from Mexico, you helped me get my kids into school. They are now grown and have had their own children, but I will never forget you or what you did.’ That was part of my job,” said Chesshir. “I love to help. That’s what makes me happy.”
Though she has made countless memories during her time with the district, when asked if she has a favorite memory as an employee in VISD Chesshir recalled a trip she took to Mexico with five of her teacher friends from work, and when the staff at Mitchell would play baseball against the fifth-grade students. “There are so many good memories,” she said, ”but those two are some of my best.”
After being at Mitchell, Chesshir transferred with the Mitchell principal at the time, Mr. Diaz, to Juan Linn. After he retired, the next Juan Linn principal, Mrs. Lorraine Hernandez, asked if Chesshir wanted to move with her to the administration building. There, she worked in multiple departments, including Curriculum, Instruction, and Accountability (CIA), and the Dyslexia Department. She then retired, but not for long. She was asked back to help with the dyslexia program, and she agreed. The Dyslexia Department moved to several campuses during Chesshir’s career, and she moved right along with it.
Chesshir mentioned her coworkers in the Dyslexia Department, Dyslexia Specialists Bridget Bomersbach and Cheryl Garza, as a big part of why her time with VISD was so enjoyable. “Bridget was one of the highlights of my career,” said Chesshir. “She is kind, a true teacher. I’d been with her 20 years or so. I truly admire her. Mrs. Cheryl Garza was also a very good coworker. She is very kind and always ready to be a team member.”
Chesshir has witnessed a lot of history during her time both as a student and employee at VISD; segregation and then integration, the phasing out of typewriters and the introduction of computers, schools being torn down and new schools being built, and thousands and thousands of students advancing through their academic journey.
“Without some of the folks I worked with, I wouldn’t have been able to do it,” said Chesshir. She recalled being introduced to computers for the first time. “I was deathly afraid of them,” she said. “Barbara Milenkovich [her coworker at the time] told me, ‘Don’t be afraid of the computer, Mrs. Mac. It’s just a glorified typewriter.’ and she would stay with me after school to teach me how to use it. I am always grateful for the folks who have helped me along the way.”
When asked if she had any advice for current and future VISD students, she said, “You have a choice of how you want to live your life; you have a highway to discover which way you want to go. Don’t let other kids influence you, and if you influence somebody, influence them to do the right thing.”
Looking back on her career fondly, Chesshir said, “There is so much more to say, but those are some of the highlights of my career at VISD.”
Thank you, Ms. Mac, for being a part of #TeamVISD! Your legacy as a compassionate human being and dedicated employee will endure long after retirement.
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Know a VISD alum that we should feature? We want to share their story! If you know or are a VISD alum, email us at visdcommunications@visd.net with your contact information and we will reach out.
Graisyn Nieto is the communications specialist at Victoria ISD.