Back Elementary first graders got a special visitor in early September: Rowlett Mayor Jeff Winget, who stopped by to talk about what it means to be a public official. The students were excited to meet him and could barely contain their enthusiasm. The visit became an unforgettable part of their social studies lessons about leaders in communities and how they are elected.

Mayor Winget explained that while Garland, Rowlett, and Sachse are neighboring cities, each has its own mayor. “So if you live in Garland or Sachse, you actually have a different mayor,” he said. “Three different cities, three different leaders.”

The mayor described Rowlett’s government as a “Home Rule” system, which allows the city to make its own rules while still following state and federal laws. He outlined the numerous responsibilities of a city, from public safety, including police officers and firefighters, to maintaining roads and utilities, running libraries, managing traffic, and organizing parks and community events.

Mayor Winget also shared how the city keeps residents safe. “We provide the money to hire police officers and firefighters, make sure they have the right tools and vehicles, and ensure they can respond to emergencies,” he said. He explained the role of dispatchers who answer 911 calls and coordinate help.

The students were bursting with questions, which the mayor happily answered. One asked why he works in different places. Winget explained that being mayor is a part-time position, so he also works as an accountant. Another student asked how he stays informed about the city. Winget described using staff meetings and social media to understand concerns from the community.

He even shared a fun fact about firefighters, who sometimes live at the fire station for long periods, which is why it is called a firehouse. The visit ended with a safety tip: always look left, right, and left again before crossing the street.

Ashley Ross, Region 10 Elementary Teacher of the Year and first-grade teacher at Back Elementary, said, “We are so thankful our local leaders care about our community and take time to speak with our students. They were excited to meet Mayor Winget and learn a little about how the city they live in works.”