LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Karla Wentz was nominated by her principal, Jennifer Mattingly. 

McAuliffe Elementary School was a very different place 12 years ago, when Mattingly first came to campus. The community was beginning to age out. New schools were popping up all around. There wasn't a servant’s heart mentality. Yearly, student transfer requests would pile up at the district level requesting to move to the new school down the street.

Twelve years later, this little elementary school is the hub of the community, booming with almost 150 transfer students - almost as many as the district turned away last year. The PTA is huge. The Watch D.O.G. program partners with over 100 dads and father figures to mentor and provide security. Volunteers, from grandparents and community members, to parents and high school students, are seen constantly throughout the building. Teacher morale is high, students love school, and parents are happy! Local realtors love selling homes in the neighborhood.

Why? It’s simple! McAuliffe Elementary School has a LifeChanger. Her name is Karla Wentz.

"We’ve all heard that a secretary is really the one who runs the school. Well, here, it could not be more true." Mattingly said. "Sure, I do my job, but I can only do it because I have someone like Karla to make sure none of the balls get dropped!"

Mrs. Wentz, also known as "Mrs. Karla," makes a difference in the lives of the administrative staff at McAuliffe on a daily basis. She controls the schedules and allocates the time needed to make sure everything gets done. She also spends a great deal of time re-doing Mattingly's schedule.

Mrs. Karla is one of the first faces people see when they come into the office. The transition that started 12 years ago began with her learning every child’s name, their parents’ names, and basically anything and everything she might need to know. She’s announced the births of siblings, named babies, and has become a highly respected, loved member of her community. All of the students know her and love her. Their parents call, sometimes 2-3 times in a single afternoon, to change their plans, and Mrs. Karla takes care of them. She can be seen at the movies or having ice cream with a group of students who bought her in the school auction. She signs their yearbooks, cleans wounds, takes blood sugar, makes sure everyone is on the right bus, and gives away hugs as needed. Mrs. Karla encourages the students to know their phone numbers, models tying shoes, and celebrates behavioral and academic success in full gold medal form. These students know they are loved and have no fear of "the office."

Mrs. Karla arranges and often provides tours to new and potential families. A realtor’s dream, she provides customer service that attracts people to live in this area. Because the neighborhood school is landlocked and families with older children are aging out of schools, having someone like Mrs. Karla at the front door welcomes new families and supports them through the transfer process. She is the type of person who will call to make sure someone gets their paperwork in on time, to ensure they're aware of timelines, and even share with them a potential home vacancy to come. The atmosphere in the school family starts when parents and students walk through the front doors.

The McAuliffe Chili Cook-off is the largest single day event in Highland Village. Mrs. Karla is the behind the scenes person that controls all of the various facets surrounding this huge event. Welcoming over 6,000 people yearly and profiting around $30,000 each year, Mrs. Karla is the action who makes the ideas actually happen!

"She’s amazing. She works with businesses, vendors, entrants, judges, ticket sales, police and fire, along with all of the other pieces that make Chili Cook-off a family favorite," Mattingly said.  "This event has Mrs. Karla’s name all over it. Our community would not be the same without her touch!"

Mrs. Karla has served the McAuliffe Family for twelve years. She started as the attendance clerk before moving to the secretary position four years ago. Prior to her time in the office, Mrs. Karla spent time in the PPCD classroom (public pre-school for children with disabilities). She knows the inside and outside of schools. She loves children and loves learning. Mrs. Karla exudes professionalism and respect. She maintains integrity and confidentiality.

Karla Wentz in the News:
Lewisville ISD Educators Nominated for National LifeChanger of the Year Award