Linda Kunkel Specialized Learning Center

Opening in the Fall of 2025

The special education wing at the new Denton Highway property was named Linda Kunkel Specialized Learning Center on January 26, 2023.

History of Linda Kunkel

Linda Kunkel
Educational Diagnostician
1981-99
Birdville ISD

Linda J. Kunkel and her husband, Elmer, moved their family to Haltom City in 1969. As a stay-at-home mom, she was able to be a constant and trusted volunteer at Browning Heights Elementary (now David E. Smith Elementary) and then at North Oaks Junior High (now North Oaks Middle School) throughout the 1970s, both during class time as well as through PTA. Linda also worked as a substitute teacher at schools such as Haltom Junior High (now Haltom Middle School) and, feeling that she wanted to become a full-time classroom teacher, went to Tarrant County College and then Texas Woman’s University, earning a bachelor’s degree and gaining her teacher’s certification in December 1981, graduating with a 4.0 GPA, completing this portion of her education in just over two years.

After that, she started her career at Birdville ISD where she was employed in 1981 as a special education resource teacher. Linda felt her calling in life was to serve students within special education. She continued in that role from 1981–88. During this time, Linda continued her higher education while continuing serving in the role of wife and mother. After earning her master’s degree and educational diagnostician certification, Linda became an educational diagnostician in BISD and graciously served students and families in that role from 1988–99. During that period, she became the first diagnostician employed at Shannon High School.

Linda retired in 1999 and was proud of the legacy she established within her family and within public education.