Honoring a Legacy: Memorial Bench and Tree Dedication for Debra DeVon Baros

A Tribute to a Lifelong Educator

The Cuero ISD Education Foundation recently honored the life and legacy of longtime educator and community leader Debra DeVon Baros with a special memorial dedication. A bench has been placed at the Cuero ISD Administration Building, and a bronze plaque now rests beneath a newly planted oak tree at Hunt Elementary School—both permanent reminders of Debra’s lasting impact on generations of students and families.

Family and Community Gather to Remember

Family members, friends, and fellow educators gathered for the dedication, including Debra’s husband, David Baros, and son, Kendrick Baros. The moment was a meaningful celebration of Debra’s life of service, passion for learning, and deep love for the Cuero community.

The plaque under the oak tree reads, “A woman who wore many hats,”—a phrase that reflects not only the many roles Debra played in education and civic life, but also her signature flair for fashion and vibrant personality.

“Debra was not just a visionary—she was a catalyst for change,” said Darwin Koenning, president of the Cuero ISD Education Foundation.“Her legacy is more than her titles or accomplishments—it’s the ripple effect of every book handed to a child, every grant won, every door she opened for others. This memorial ensures her memory will live on in Cuero for generations to come.”

A Career of Impact and Innovation

Debra’s long and impactful career in education included roles as a teacher, curriculum director, principal, Assistant Superintendent, and founder of the Cuero ISD Education Foundation. She spearheaded programs that supported literacy, student wellness, and educational equity—initiatives like Reading Is Fundamental, Word War, and the CISD Family Center, which kept pregnant teens enrolled and supported.

More Than an Educator

Beyond the classroom, Debra was a poet, author, entrepreneur, and active community

volunteer. She held leadership roles in numerous organizations and was known for her creativity, generosity, and boundless energy—whether she was coordinating a safari-themed baby shower or writing personal tributes for friends.

A Legacy That Lives On

As Cuero continues to celebrate her legacy, reminders of Debra’s influence can be seen throughout the district—from the programs she built to the lives she changed. That legacy will now also live on through the memorial bench and tree—a quiet but powerful tribute to a woman who believed deeply in the power of education, community, and service.

Debra DeVon Baros may be gone, but her spirit lives on in every student encouraged to dream big, every educator inspired to lead with heart, and every community member moved to serve. Her legacy will continue to shape Cuero for generations to come.