Debbie Rentería is a native South Texan and longtime Richardson resident. She has been an involved parent throughout the Richardson community since her two children started in the Richardson High School feeder pattern in 2004.
She began her PTA career at Arapaho Classical Magnet Elementary School, serving in several different chair positions and always making herself available as an active parent and caring citizen. After serving as Hospitality Chair for several years at ACM, RWJH, and RHS, Debbie Rentería took on the role of Inclusion Chair at Richardson High School, bringing the tradition of Hispanic Family Night to new heights. Her efforts in making everyone feel included and welcomed made her a three-time recipient of the PTA Golden Apple Award.
While at Richardson High School, Debbie Rentería co-founded the group Padres Unidos, realizing her long-time vision of helping non-English speaking parents navigate Richardson ISD schools and also learn to better advocate for themselves and their children. The creation of this parent group has brought together parents, students, and teachers with the common goal of helping underrepresented children succeed. She has shared her commitment towards this initiative with the National Center for Families Learning (NCFL) council at their national conference in 2019 as an invited speaker. She and her family also served on the RISD Equity Committee in 2018, creating and developing the equity policy that the Richardson ISD school board adopted in June of 2019.
Professionally, Debbie Rentería has worked as an educator for over 15 years. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of Texas in San Antonio and a Master of Arts in Education from Pepperdine University. She has worked in school districts across Texas and California, focusing on early childhood learning through her work in the classroom and beyond, working towards academic success and fine arts engagement.
Now, Debbie Rentería has turned her attention towards serving her community as the first Latina member of the Richardson ISD Board of Trustees and is currently the District Director for Texas House District 102. She has served as a volunteer at the Richardson Adult Literacy Center as an ESL teacher, where she helps her students stay involved and informed in the RISD community.
Debbie Rentería is committed to the success of all Richardson students and is dedicated to creating policies that ensure a future for our school district in which every family is welcomed, accepted, and free to realize their full potential as students in our schools and citizens in our community.