Meet Natalie
I grew up in a small town in West Texas where everyone knew everyone, and those formative years taught me the value of community. Moving to Houston in the 3rd grade and joining the Cypress Fairbanks school district was a significant change from the small-town environment I was used to. I graduated from Jersey Village High School and volunteered with Americorps at the Chicano Family Center and Edison Middle School with Communities In Schools (CIS). I enjoyed assisting teachers and creating after-school basketball programs for at-risk kids while attending the University of Houston Downtown.
After starting a family, I became deeply involved in my children's schools and activities, believing that a strong community is built through teamwork. We moved into the Klein district, drawn by its excellent reputation. My two older boys played basketball at Klein Oak, where I was actively involved with the booster club and eventually became its President. We successfully raised funds to renovate the boys' locker room. When COVID hit, it had a profound impact on my children. My oldest, Mason, missed out on prom and faced a graduation without a formal ceremony. In response, a group of parents, including myself, organized a graduation ceremony at a local church to celebrate the Class of 2020. Despite reaching out to the administration for support, we relied on social media to connect with seniors and provide them with a proper send-off. Mason has since followed in my footsteps and is now working in real estate.
My second son, Nathan, struggled more with the school shutdowns and was reluctant to return to school. Thanks to the efforts of the Klein Oak counselor who reached out to him, Nathan graduated and is now a professional gamer. My daughter Marlie had a positive experience at Klein Oak, thanks to a supportive counselor, and she recently graduated. I still have one little one at Metzler Elementary, and his teachers have been wonderful.
After COVID, my involvement at the district level increased. I began attending board meetings, speaking out, and learning more about the district’s workings. I grew increasingly concerned about declining test scores and the overall success of our schools. It seemed that Klein ISD had lost sight of what made it great. We need to restore Klein ISD to its former excellence, ensuring that teachers, students, and parents feel supported and valued, regardless of their background or connections. We need to foster an environment of equal and transparent love, accountability, safety, and a voice for everyone.
As the Chief Investment Officer at Transformational Real Estate Investing, I bring a background in real estate, investing, and education. I handle financial documents daily, understanding when and where to cut costs while maintaining integrity. I am solutions-oriented and adept at navigating tough situations.
I envision our school district being:
Transparent: Address issues openly and effectively. Stream board meetings, provide access to financial records online, and ensure all discussions and decisions are made publicly.
Safe: Address discipline issues so teachers can focus on teaching. Support teachers and students, investigate concerns promptly and thoroughly, and take serious allegations seriously.
A Voice for All: Hold quarterly meetings for parents, students, and teachers. Provide accessible contact information for concerns, praise, and suggestions.
I am seeking your support and would love to hear your experiences with Klein ISD. What do you appreciate? Where can we improve? What would you like to see from me as your next school board member? I am open to anonymous feedback if that is your preference. I am committed to being part of the positive change our district needs. Please feel free to contact me at help@nataliepilkinton4klein.com
Thank you, and may God bless Klein ISD!
