EPISD  welcomed more than 1500 district employees at a back to school celebration at the Student Activity Center Friday morning.

EPISD staff were welcomed back by Superintendent Gilberto Gonzalez and members of the school board.

 Staff were treated to performances by EPHS Drumline, Diamond Dancers, and their newly-formed band "The Second Street Band,” and the CC Winn Drumline and Silverline Dance Team as part of the celebration before classes begin on Monday.

Also in attendance was motivational speaker Billy Riggs. Riggs has been speaking publicly for more than 30 years and has sold more than 200,000 recordings of his speeches, is the author of nearly 250 unique recordings and four books, and is one of only 1000 speakers in America to be recognized as a Certified Speaking Professional.

Riggs spoke about how important it was that, not only teachers, but all EPISD staff are in shaping the lives of approximately 16,000 students in the district.

“This cannot be just a job for you, it’s more important than that. This is noble cause, one that is utterly worthy of this: your one and only life,” said Riggs. “The greatest gift anybody can ever receive is a fantastic education and all the benefits that will grow from it.”

An educator’s influence may seem small at times, but even the slightest change can make a difference, said Riggs. 

“If I asked you in six months [why you teach, I would hope you say] ‘I want to make sure the kids in my classroom go to college instead of jail; that they live in houses instead of under bridges that they have careers instead of jobs; that they become tax paying members of society instead of drains upon it; come to think of it I’m probably making sure that their kids and grandkids, follow suit. I’m making sure that they grow up with pride instead of shame their whole lives. I’m transforming the world one homework assignment at a time.’”