Retired Military Family
Perla was born in California, the oldest of six children and a 1st Generation Hispanic-American, to parents from Mexico and Guatemala. Her family eventually moved to Louisiana and the stellar education she received in public schools in both states helped spark her passion for education. After high school, she enlisted in the US Air Force and began a chapter of her life that would have her living in Texas, Mississippi, Louisiana, South Carolina, and Germany. In the Air Force she was an Air Traffic Controller Apprentice and then a Weather Technician, but she feels her most humbling and poignant experiences were while serving on the Columbus AFB Honor Guard, where her team conducted 21-gun salute military burials and laid our fallen heroes to rest with full military honors.
While serving, she met her husband Bart, a native Texan, and during 21 years of marriage they've added three amazing kids to the family. Perla is Catholic and serves as a Religious Education volunteer at St. Margaret Mary.
While serving, she met her husband Bart, a native Texan, and during 21 years of marriage they've added three amazing kids to the family. Perla is Catholic and serves as a Religious Education volunteer at St. Margaret Mary.
After finishing her tour of service, Perla continued to serve her country and communities while raising her family. She completed a Bachelor's in Psychology and three Master's degrees, in Education and Spanish Literature (MS State & NSULA), and she earned certification as a teacher in Department of Defense schools, MS, SC, and TX. She's taught undergrad Spanish labs at MS State, and K-12 at schools in Germany, South Carolina, and here in Leander ISD. Perla has also worked as a Library Technician for the DoD at Illesheim and Ramstein, running summer reading programs and assisting with procurement and acquisitions. She also supervised and mentored English teacher interns as part of their MS certification process.
As a military spouse, Perla has received the Spirit of America Volunteer award twice and she garnered a leadership award for a command that comprised six states: TX, MS, AL, AZ, NM, and OK. This honor gave her the platform to serve on the Air Force Association Family Council and advocate for military family initiatives. Her work improved the quality of life for service members and their families.
As a military spouse, Perla has received the Spirit of America Volunteer award twice and she garnered a leadership award for a command that comprised six states: TX, MS, AL, AZ, NM, and OK. This honor gave her the platform to serve on the Air Force Association Family Council and advocate for military family initiatives. Her work improved the quality of life for service members and their families.
Perla feels called to continue serving, this time as SBOE District 5 representative. She has already developed good working relationships with lawmakers, analysts, and current SBOE representatives.
Her 87th Legislative advocacy contributions include:
She plans to champion the removal of the Obscenity Exemption found in Penal Code 43.24 that currently permits graphic sexual material in public schools, and continue fighting any CRT practices or ideologies inundating Texas classrooms. Dependable and Hard-working, she will fight for the rights of Parents in their children's education and continuous improvement of the education system.
Integrity, Service Before Self, and Dignity - more than words to Perla, they are the ideas that guide her life. No political double-talk. No confusion about her intent!
Her 87th Legislative advocacy contributions include:
- HB 3979 (HB 178) Social Studies Curriculum
- SB 3 Civics Curriculum & Transparency
- SB 797 US National Motto "In God We Trust" in Schools
- Education Code Chapter 26, Parental Rights & Responsibilities
- HB 3932 & Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children, Education Code Chapter 162
She plans to champion the removal of the Obscenity Exemption found in Penal Code 43.24 that currently permits graphic sexual material in public schools, and continue fighting any CRT practices or ideologies inundating Texas classrooms. Dependable and Hard-working, she will fight for the rights of Parents in their children's education and continuous improvement of the education system.
Integrity, Service Before Self, and Dignity - more than words to Perla, they are the ideas that guide her life. No political double-talk. No confusion about her intent!