Monte Geren
Dr. Monte Geren was born on November 13, 1947 to Malcolm and Alice Geren in Lavon, Texas. Dr. Geren and his brother Eddie started attending Community Rural School District, and in later years his father, Malcolm, worked as a popular bus driver for Brave Nation. Upon reaching Community High School, Dr. Geren was a standout in football and basketball. He played on the 1966 Texas Eight-Man All-Star Game and led his 1966 Braves team to a Regional final in football, and lettered all four years in basketball. His 1965 basketball team won Bi-District.
Dr. Geren graduated from Community in 1966, and earned his Associates from Navarro Junior College in 1968. He went on to earn his Bachelor's (1970), Master's (1975), and Doctorate (1981) from East Texas State University (now Texas A&M-Commerce). While in college, Dr. Geren earned his teaching certifications, driver education certification, professional mid-management administrator, and professional superintendent certification.
Dr. Geren originally entered the education field in September 1970, but was drafted soon after into the United States military. He served in the U.S. Army from 1971 to 1973, receiving an Honorable Discharge from Military Service in June 1977. In his time in the military, Dr. Geren was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with 1 Bronze Service Star, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Army Commendation Medal (Meritorious Service), the Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry Unity Citation with Palm - 18th Military Police Brigade, the Marksman Badge with Rifle Bar, and the Grenade Badge with Bar. His unit, the 410th Military Police Company, was deployed and assigned to serve as security and honor guards for President Lyndon B. Johnson's home and grave site at the graveside service for President Johnson on January 25, 1973.
Dr. Geren served in public education for 37 years across multiple school districts. He returned to teaching in Allen ISD for three years before becoming the Allen High School principal in 1975. He served in that role for five years, then jumped to central administration in Allen in 1980. He became a superintendent for the first time in 1982 at Whitehouse ISD, serving in that role for two years, then moved on to Lancaster ISD, where he was an assistant superintendent for nine years. From 1993 to 1998 he was the superintendent of Canton ISD, and served as superintendent of La Vega ISD from 1998 until his retirement in 2006. Since retiring, Dr. Geren has served in multiple roles, including adjunct instructor at Tarleton State and a financial monitor for Texas Education Agency (TEA).
Dr. Geren and his wife, Marelia Montgomery Geren, have been married for over 54 years, and have two children, Lynn Geren Runnels and John Richard "Richie" Geren. They are also the proud grandparents of six grandchildren. Mrs. Geren (1967) and Richie (2000) are also graduates of Community High School.