Mansfield Today Winter 2023 | Page 7

“ I could have just said ‘ I ’ m tired ; I don ’ t want to do this .’ But I don ’ t know how to give up . I ’ m a fighter . I ’ m selfmotivated to do things .” MELIDA CARPENTER

CARPENTER CONQUERS COVID , RETURNS TO JOB SHE LOVES

In September 2021 , Melida Carpenter ’ s bout with Covid-19 left her hospitalized for four months . She was put on a ventilator , and she was in a coma for two of the months she was hospitalized .

“ They weren ’ t sure if I was going to make it ,” Carpenter said . However , the self-described fighter recovered in record time . In less than a year from her hospitalization , she was back in her office in July 2022 .
and textbook coordinators submit textbook orders , and processing records that come through her department .
At home , she ’ s cooking for her family , sewing , or enjoying music with her husband .
“ I could have just said ‘ I ’ m tired ; I don ’ t want to do this ’,” Carpenter said . “ But I don ’ t know how to give up . I ’ m a fighter . I ’ m self-motivated to do things .”
Carpenter has been with the district for ten years . Currently , she serves as Mansfield ISD ’ s textbooks , records management , and distribution administrative assistant . Before that , she worked in the technology department as a secretary .
During her hospitalization , she was surrounded with support from her family , including her husband and three children , and coworkers . Carpenter , who normally takes care of others , had to get used to receiving help .
Her older children made sure their youngest sister Megan , now a senior at Mansfield High School , was taken care of . Her husband called his mother-in-law to learn how to cook for the family . Her coworkers stopped by her house to check on her loved ones .
Even more , Megan ’ s JROTC instructor assured Carpenter that her daughter would be taken care of , and her teachers would know what ’ s going on at home .
“ Everyone always offered to help ,” Carpenter said . That support , paired with her determination , helped her recover , go through physical therapy , deal with pain , and get back to work .
“ I love work . I love what I do ,” Carpenter said . “ My favorite part of the job is when I can help someone who ’ s not sure , whether it ’ s an AP or clerk or secretary .”
Nowadays , Carpenter is busy fielding distribution questions , helping assistant principals

“ I could have just said ‘ I ’ m tired ; I don ’ t want to do this .’ But I don ’ t know how to give up . I ’ m a fighter . I ’ m selfmotivated to do things .” MELIDA CARPENTER

7 MANSFIELDTODAY Textbooks , Records Management , and Distribution Administrative Assistant