Becky Stevens and family

Richardson ISD’s Carolyn Bukhair Elementary (CBE) is tucked behind Studio Movie Grill Spring Valley and hidden among time-worn apartments northwest of the High Five interchange just outside of Lake Highlands. The district chose the school and three others for its new ACE program (Accelerating Campus Excellence), which it also calls “campus reconstitution” and reserve for the schools most difficult to turnaround. Of its 700 students, more than 98 percent are considered low income, 90 percent are Hispanic and 5 percent are African American.

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So why did one of Lake Highlands’ most popular principals quit her job and volunteer to become CBE’s PTA president?

Becky Lamberth Stevens says she’s loved leading Lake Highlands Elementary, but her husband’s frequent travels for work and her hectic life as mom to Hank, 5, and Sam, almost 3, forced a tough decision.

“I just felt like God was calling me to stay home with my kids,” says the 2001 Lake Highlands High grad. “I wrestled for a really long time. I’ve never cried about anything like that in my life.”

Stevens admits she’s not sure how long this “retirement” will last.

“Everyone at RISD has said I can come back at any time, and I think I eventually will. I just don’t know. I’ve only been a stay-at-home mom for about 4 weeks.”

Meantime, Stevens knew she wanted to stay involved in the district and give back using her gifts and talents.

“I love school culture and building school climate with teachers. I love doing things for teachers because it directly affects kids,” she says.

At a principals’ meeting, not long after she announced she’d be leaving LHE, she texted CBE Principal Roxxy Griffin, “Hey! I could be your PTA president!”

Griffin figured her buddy was kidding. “Shut up,” Griffin joked in reply.

Last year, CBE’s executive assistant held the job of PTA president. Stevens’ kids are slated to attend Moss Haven.

Stevens meant business, and she quickly proved it.

Stevens has now attended training for her volunteer job, and she posted a fundraising request on social media for help purchasing a T-shirt, back-to-school gift, PTA membership and lunch for each teacher at CBE. She already exceeded her goal of $30 per staff member.

“I was so surprised,” says Stevens. “One minute after I posted, I had a Venmo ding that someone had sponsored two teachers. When my kids and I came in from swimming, I saw that I had hundreds of dollars. People are coming from all over – high school friends and teachers from LHE and White Rock. That’s just teachers giving back to each other. It’s amazing.”

“When I worked at White Rock and LHE, the PTAs were incredible,” Stevens says. “The teachers had treats brought to them – food and Christmas presents and encouraging gifts. It meant so much to them. Those things seem small, but the more we show appreciation to teachers, the better the school climate is.”

As a former principal, Stevens says she understands that leading meetings, raising funds and providing extras for teachers will take a burden away from Griffin and her staff.

Her goal now is to provide a spirit shirt for every student. After that, she’d like to revamp the outdated teachers’ lounge.

“My ultimate goal would be for the PTA to grow and be parent and teacher led,” Stevens says.

Until then, she is all in.

If you’d like to help, you may Venmo Stevens at beckystevens1126 or mail a check for Carolyn Bukhair PTA to 9022 Oakpath Lane, Dallas, TX 75243. You may email questions to beckystevens1126@gmail.com.