MIDLAND, Texas - s4story -- Latoya Mayberry has filed as a candidate for the Midland ISD Board of Trustees, District 5, saying she wants to give parents a voice, improve student outcomes, and retain experienced teachers.

"I am a mom first," Mayberry said. "I am not a business owner running for the school board. I am a mom who is stepping up because parents deserve to be heard. I want to hear your stories and be an advocate for our children, parents, and teachers."

Mayberry was born in Midland and graduated from Midland High School. Her husband, Edward, graduated from Lee High School. They raised two daughters in Midland: Aniyah, a sophomore at Midland College who plays basketball, and Erinn, a senior at Lee High School who also plays basketball. Latoya and Edward have pastored Community Worship Center for 13 years.

Mayberry owns Toya's Precious Jewels Academy and has worked in early childhood education for 17 years. She was recently elected to the Midland Chamber of Commerce Board, serves her second term on the Texas Workforce Board as the first Childcare representative since HB 1615 passed in 2023, is a commissioner for the Midland Housing Authority, and is active with the Childcare Coalition and Early Matters Permian Basin.

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During the 2025 legislative session, Mayberry testified before Texas House and Senate committees in support of SB 462, which gives childcare workers priority for childcare scholarships for their own children. She spoke about the difficulty providers face retaining employees who can't secure reliable care for their own families.

Mayberry said her years working with children, parents and educators taught her that people closest to the work best understand what needs to change. She calls her employees "proximity experts," asking them to identify problems and listening to their recommendations. She said she'll bring that same approach to the Midland ISD Board.

Mayberry wants more children entering kindergarten ready to learn, noting too many reach first and second grade without needed reading skills. She also believes the district cannot improve outcomes without retaining experienced teachers.

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"We can't do anything without good teachers and teachers of tenure," Mayberry said. "We have to find a way to retain the teachers we have and make their work environment better. They need to feel heard, validated and supported."

Mayberry wants the district to communicate more clearly with parents and taxpayers about spending and decisions, and to find ways to bring people with opposing views together.

Her faith also shaped her decision to run, pointing to the biblical parable of the talents and using the gifts God has given.

More information about Mayberry's campaign will be released in the coming weeks.