Region 10 Education Service Center

On any given school day at Bland Elementary, it's not unusual to see students light up as a familiar group of dads walks through the hallways. Some offer high-fives. Others stop to say hello. What may seem like a small gesture carries a much deeper meaning for the students watching them walk by.

These men are part of the Bland ISD Tiger Dads program, a group of volunteers who have become much more than extra help on campus. They are mentors, role models, and for some students, the most consistent father figure they see.

"When the students see these dads come in, they just get excited," one staff member shared. "For some of them, it's the only father figure they have in their lives," mentioned Kailee Pendergrass, an elementary teacher.

That presence matters. Teachers and staff say the support Tiger Dads provide goes beyond supervision. Their involvement brings a sense of comfort, accountability, and security to the school environment. Students are more mindful of their behavior, knowing someone is watching—not to discipline, but to guide.

Tina Finney, an elementary teacher, said, "The extra support for the students has been wonderful. They light up when they see the dads here on campus."

But perhaps the biggest impact can't be measured; it's felt.

Students beam with pride when their dads volunteer. "I think they're really cool," one student said. "I feel proud because my dad gets to come."

For many of the Tiger Dads, their motivation is simple: showing up. Michael Hetterick, a current Tiger Dad who moved to the community in early 2023, said the program allowed him to connect not just with the school, but with the people in it.

"We were new to the community, and this was another way to get involved," he said. "It helped me get to know the staff, the school, and just be part of my child's life here."

Others see their involvement as a way to give back. Andrew Rainy, a lifelong community member, shared how growing up with mentors shaped him and how he wants to be that steady presence for the next generation.

"We come from a community where a lot of grandparents are raising kids," he said. "Being a positive presence in the lives of these kids, giving them someone to look up to—that matters."

Sometimes, the most powerful moments are the smallest ones. Standing in the hallway. A quick wave. A high-five.

"You see their faces light up," one dad said. "Just seeing someone new, someone who cares. It makes a difference."

As the Tiger Dads program continues to grow, more volunteers are stepping up, strengthening the message that students are surrounded by advocates who care deeply about their success, both inside and outside the classroom.

"It shows kids that people care," Asa Womack said. "That they have support. That they matter."

At Bland ISD, Tiger Dads are proof that mentorship doesn't always come with a lesson plan. Sometimes, it starts with simply showing up and staying.

Thank you to the Bland ISD Tiger Dads for being everyday mentors and making a lasting impact, one smile at a time.

Watch the video here.