Navarro Independent School District

Photo L-R: Olivia York, Will Haltom, Sarah Haltom, Lilian Odale

In Navarro ISD, we lovingly refer to our district as the Panther Family, and we mean it. The district is known for having multiple generations of families attend Navarro ISD, as well as a legacy of graduates who become teachers and return to their roots here in the heart of Geronimo, instilling the values and lessons they once learned in our classrooms. For the Haltom family—Will, Sarah, and their two daughters, Olivia York and Lilian Odale, both proud Navarro graduates—that sentiment is a daily reality woven into the fabric of their lives, both at home and in the halls of Navarro High School.

The Haltom family’s calling to education is clear. Will, with 29 years of teaching experience, and Sarah, a veteran of nine years at Navarro ISD, have dedicated their lives to education. While they always encouraged their daughters to follow their own paths, it was a profound moment for Sarah when Olivia, as a high school senior, felt a divine calling to become a special education teacher, a field she shares with her mother who teaches Functional Academics. Lilian, too, knew from a young age that teaching was her destiny, drawn by the visible passion her parents had for their students. Despite their parents' gentle warnings about the profession's demands, both daughters were unstoppable, fueled by their own passion for helping students succeed.

Working together has turned the school into a shared home. Sarah describes the joy of seeing her family throughout the day, while Will, who initially planned to only teach for one more year before retiring, was so blessed by the experience that he decided to stay another year. "Working with my family makes my job so much more enjoyable and has been such a blessing. I get to ride with my wife every day and pray with her before school starts," he shares.

Olivia expresses her gratitude for the opportunity to work alongside her family. "My mom and I are in the same department, my sister is my co-teacher, and I get to eat lunch with my dad every day—not many people get to say that!"

This shared environment allows them to support each other in unique ways. Lilian, in her first year, was mentored by her father, Will, as they co-taught Algebra I. The two regularly prepared lessons together and helped each other navigate difficult situations. Sarah, the matriarch, serves as a sounding board and confidant, celebrating their wins and offering support during challenges. She gently enforces a “no shop talk” rule during their weekly Sunday lunches, setting a great example of balancing their professional and family lives.

The students are very aware of the Haltom family dynamic, which has led to some heartwarming and hilarious moments. Sarah recalls a nonverbal student who would get excited every time she saw Mr. Haltom walking down the hall, doing everything she could to let her know he was coming. Will, well known for his "dad jokes," makes his rounds to his wife’s classroom each day, and the students eagerly await his arrival. His romantic side was also on display when he sent a student to Sarah’s classroom with a single rose each period on their anniversary until she had a full dozen.

For Lilian, who co-teaches with Olivia, the family bond is a benefit. "It's always fun for me to talk about my family with my students," she says, though she laughs that it often takes multiple reminders for the students to fully grasp the family connection because they don’t all share the same last name. 

When asked to describe the essence of being a teacher at Navarro High School in one word, the family's responses speak volumes. For Sarah, the word is "Flexibility." Olivia chose "Family," a word that Will also echoes. Lilian’s word, "Blessed," encapsulates the family’s collective feeling. As she puts it, "I just feel blessed that Navarro would not only hire one of us, but that they hired all four of us and continue to support us in our profession."

The Haltom family is a testament to the power of community, support, and shared purpose and serves as an inspiration to the future of the teaching profession. They are a living embodiment of the Panther Family spirit—a family of educators united by a love for their students and a deep connection to Navarro ISD. They are, in every sense of the word, truly a Panther Family.