Superintendent's Report
A time to be thankful
Marvin Beaty

Thanksgiving, what a wonderful time of year! It is a time of personal reflection when we can thank with our Maker for all of the wonderful gifts bestowed upon us over the past year and even a lifetime. I must admit, my Maker is much better to me than I am to Him. He is more faithful, kind, forgiving and just than I will ever be. What a humbling thought that no matter how hard I try, I will never measure up to His standard and yet… it is ok. As I look back over the past few decades, I realize the grace that has been bestowed upon me. As a kid, we were very poor but we didn't even know it. We thought everyone lived day to day, eating pinto bean sandwiches for dinner and using day old bread for toast in the mornings. It was by the good graces of the church that we were able to make ends meet and have school clothes to make it through the academic year. As I grew older, I learned to appreciate the lessons I learned as a boy, the value of a dollar and more importantly, the value of good friends and daily blessings that are so often taken for granted.

This year is no different; I have many blessings for which to be thankful. I have a wonderful wife that blesses my days beyond anything I could ever deserve. I have two wonderful sons that bring me a tremendous amount of pride at every turn with their good hearts. Yet, there is so much more for which I must be thankful. I have the privilege of working for a Troup ISD School Board, a Board that values children and staff members. A Board that knows what it takes to run a school district and works diligently to give us the things we need to be successful, day in and day out. I also have the privilege of working with dedicated staff members that come to work everyday with the best interest of your children in mind. Yes, the list could go on and on. But the most important point of all, is to remember that we live in a free country provided by the sacrifice of those in uniform. Many have made the ultimate sacrifice so that we can sleep at night without worrying about the sovereignty of our nation.

With so much to be thankful for, it is humbling to recall petty daily complaints. What we often refer to as our daily problems would be welcomed by so many around the world in the face of their true struggles to just survive. It is my hope that each of you will spend some time on bended knee this Thanksgiving Day to thank our Maker for more than the turkey on the table and the Cowboys on the television. We live in a blessed country, state and city. Moreover, we enjoy a school district full of fantastic students and staff members. It is my fervent hope that you will immerse yourselves in your child's educational process. There is a reward beyond words waiting for you if you will accept my invitation.

In closing, I pray that God will bless Troup, Texas, and the United States of America. Remember, you are always welcome at Troup ISD.