Biography

Texas Roots

Pam Little, a proud 5th generation Texan, hailing from the conservative community of Bryan-College Station, Texas. The military influence of Texas A&M and my father’s naval service in WWII instilled within me a profound love for America and a deep appreciation for the liberties we cherish today.

I am happily married to my high school sweetheart, and together we are blessed with two children who attended the public schools of McKinney, alongside four beloved grandchildren.

Upon graduation from Texas A&M, our journey led us to Houston where I co-founded Ace Fence Company within the confines of our garage. In the early 80s, we relocated the business to the bustling metroplex, and today, it proudly stands as one of the largest fence companies in the great state of Texas. For over two decades, our cherished home has been nestled in the heart of Fairview, serving as the anchor of countless fond memories and achievements.

It is with great pleasure and enthusiasm that I embark on this professional endeavor, drawing from a rich tapestry of experiences and a deep-seated commitment to God, values and excellence.

Teaching & Publishing Executive

During my time in Houston, I taught business courses in the vocational area of the Lone Star College System. This experience provided me with valuable insights into the significance of the numerous career and technology courses now offered in the state through the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS). I am genuinely thrilled to witness the array of opportunities available to our students as they transition out of high school.

Throughout my career in educational publishing, which began in the late 80s and culminated in my role as a regional vice president of Houghton Mifflin until 2008, I had the honor of closely collaborating with the State Board of Education. Our collaboration focused on the development of educational standards, and subsequently, creating tailored materials to meet those standards while securing the State Board approval. Following this, I spearheaded the introduction of these materials to local school districts, working alongside educators to ensure successful implementation. My diverse roles, spanning from Sales Representative to Marketing Manager and ultimately Regional Vice President, provided me with a comprehensive understanding of the State Board of Education pivotal role in standards development and approval of instructional materials.

Community Involvement

Following my retirement, I have enthusiastically dedicated myself to community service, undertaking prominent roles such as serving on multiple boards and leading as president of the Samaritan Inn board, a homeless facility in Collin County. As an esteemed alumna of the Allen-Fairview leadership class 24, my commitment to public service was recognized through my election to the Fairview Town Council in 2016, along with the honor of receiving the Spirit of Fairview Award.

My passion for public service extends to my active involvement on the board of the Texas Federation of Republican Women as the Scholarship Chair, as well as my dedicated five-year tenure as the treasurer for the local club, Republican Women of Greater North Texas. Notably, I have collaborated with Robbi Hull, Legislative VP for TFRW, to enhance the language in HB1605 concerning Open Education Resources. Additionally, my husband and I are steadfast members of the Heritage Ranch Republican club, proudly contributing as major donors to various Texas A&M projects and local non-profits. We are fortunate to have been so blessed and feel it is our responsibility to give back to the community. 

State Board of Education

In 2018, I had the honor of being elected to the State Board of Education (SBOE) following an invitation from Tincy Miller, a distinguished figure with significant tenure on the SBOE and renowned for her advocacy for children with dyslexia. Throughout the last 5 years, including 3 years as the Vice Chair, appointed unanimously by my colleagues, I have steadfastly devoted myself to advancing strong core Texas educational standards.

Accomplishments and Future Goals

During my time on the Board, I have successfully led various initiatives, such as implementing phonics-based reading standards, reintegrating cursive writing into the curriculum, approved new science standards that included engineering practices, stopped a set of social studies standards that contained woke ideologies and watered down U.S and Texas history, voted against gender identities in all the standards, kept social justice out of the science standards, rejected a biology book referring to a pregnant person when they refused to make the change to pregnant woman, and advocating for charter schools with specialty programs such as dyslexia programs, amongst many other relevant issues currently being faced in our education system.

Looking ahead, the Board is preparing to assess Math and Social Studies standards, with the goal of aligning them with the skills needed by school districts and fostering in students a profound appreciation for American and Texas history. Additionally, I aim to work closely with legislators to enhance the STAAR test, ensuring it accurately reflects accountability.

Patricia “Pat” Hardy, a lifelong educator, was elected to serve District 11 of the State Board of Education in November 2002 and re-elected in 2004, 2008, 2012, 2014, 2018, and 2022.

During her tenure on the board, Hardy, has served on all three of the board’s standing committees and the Ad Hoc Committee on the Long-Range Plan for Public Education. She currently serves on the board’s Committee on School Finance/Permanent School Fund, which oversees the Permanent School Fund, the nation’s largest education endowment. The committee also oversees some funding and auditing policies. During her tenure on the board, Hardy at various times has served as vice chair and chair of this committee.

Hardy retired in 2017 as an instructional specialist in the Weatherford Independent School District. For five years she served the district as the Social Studies Coordinator. Previously, she taught high school world history and world geography for 30 years at Castleberry High School in Fort Worth. 

Hardy has received numerous education-related honors including Baptist Educators Serving Texans (B.E.S.T.) Award, Howard Payne University, 2022; Texas Social Studies Supervisor of the Year, Texas Social Studies Supervisors Association, 2005; National Council for Geographic Education Distinguished Teaching Award, 2001; Texas Alliance for Geographic Education Distinguished Service Award, 2000; Texas Excellence in Education Award, University of Texas Ex-Students’ Association, 1998; Secondary Teacher of the Year, Castleberry Independent School District, 1997; Alumnus of the Year, Howard Payne University, 1996; and Teacher of the Year, River Oaks Chamber of Commerce, 1995.

Hardy was selected three times to participate in the Fulbright Seminar Abroad program, traveling to Egypt in 1988, Turkey in 1990, and China in 1994. She made numerous presentations to various civic and educational groups upon returning from those trips. 

Hardy has served on many state and national education boards and committees. In 1988, she served on the state geography textbook committee and in 1997 and 1998, served on the writing team for the state’s U.S. History End-of-Course examination. She was a member of the 2001 Texas Education Agency advisory team on the social studies portion of the state’s new standardized test, the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills. She is a teacher consultant with the National Geographic Society Education division. She has served the Society since 1989 as the Texas Coordinator for the National Geographic Bee. 

She has also served on the board for the Texas Council for the Social Studies as well as the executive board for the Texas Social Studies Supervisors Association. Hardy began her statewide involvement in education reform after being appointed by the Texas Speaker of the House to both the Texas Education Economic Policy Center in 1989 and to the state’s Committee on Student Learning in 1992. These boards laid the foundation for the Texas public education system reform movement. 

Hardy holds a master’s degree in Secondary Education and History from the University of North Texas and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Studies from Howard Payne University. 

As a member of the State Board of Education, Hardy represents Parker, Hood, and Somervell counties and parts of Tarrant, Johnson, and Dallas counties.

Audrey Young, was elected to the State Board of Education in November 2020 representing parts of the Greater Houston and Southeast Texas area. Audrey is married to Reverend Scott Moore, pastor of Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church and Deputy Sherriff for Trinity County. Her daughters: Amanda and AmyBeth are college graduates and work full-time in their field of expertise.

Young is the Director of Student Support Services for Nacogdoches ISD. She earned an associate’s degree in Education from South Florida State College, bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of Central Florida, a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction, an Educational Specialist degree in Educational Leadership, and a Doctorate of Education from Stephen F. Austin State University.

Her career spans over 29 years in public education as a speech therapist, reading specialist, middle school administrator, and district director. Following her exemplary service as a Master Trustee for Apple Springs ISD in Trinity County (6 years), a former two-term member of the Executive Board of Leadership – Texas Association of School Boards Alumni Association (LTASBAA), a 3-term member of the TASB Legislative Advisory Council (LAC) representing Region 6, and two years on the Texas Education Agency (TEA) Board of Trustees Advisory Committee, Young wrote her doctoral dissertation on the connection between the school board, within their perceived roles and responsibilities, and their relationship with the superintendent. Young wrote, “School board members are expected to make important decisions that directly impact students without having been provided the political, financial, educational, or statutory training necessary for such monumental tasks. Boards are as honest to their role as superintendents are to theirs.” In her spare time, Dr. Young volunteers as a dance teacher for the Adaptive Dance class at No Limits Dance Center of Nacogdoches, serving children with disabilities through dance and movement.

Young is a 9th generation of the Rose family to reside in Texas and her family is recognized by the Texas State Historical Society as a Texas First Family. Her family member: John Washington Rose was elected to the very first Texas Legislature in 1846, representing Victoria County.  Following the legacy of the Rose family, 176 years later, Dr. Young now serves as an elected State Official.  She is the Literacy Chair of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Anthony Smith Chapter and the Daughters of the Republic of Texas, Mary Hall Mantooth Chapter. She is the President of the Nacogdoches Chapter of the American Association of University Women, a board member of the Apricity Foundation, a lifetime member of the Montgomery County Fair Association, a lifetime member of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo serving on the Scholarship Administration Committee and the Speakers Committee and is the First Lady of WMUMC. Young was recently honored as a recognized Alumni from both South Florida State College and University of Central Florida. She was named 2021 Educator of the Year in Special Services from the Association of Texas Professional Educators, awarded the 2021 State of Texas 4-H Salute to Excellence Award for District 5, named a 2022 Friend of Education by Sam Houston State University, awarded the 2023 Woman of the Year special recognition as an Outstanding Advocate by the American Association of University Women Nacogdoches Branch, and recognized as the 2023 Area 5 CTAT Champion of CTE Award. 

As a member of the State Board of Education, Young represents District 8 with about 1.9 million Texans who reside in 11 counties: part of Ft. Bend, part of Galveston, Grimes, part of Harris, Houston, Polk, part of Montgomery, San Jacinto, Trinity, Walker, and Waller counties.