When Mike Alvarez looks back on his career, working in education was never something he saw coming. His journey began with six and a half years in the United States Army, followed by three years in construction, and over a decade with the Harris County Sheriff’s Office. In 2018, Alvarez joined Alief ISD as a police officer, never imagining that just a few years later, he would be capturing the district’s most memorable moments as a Multimedia Production Specialist.
“I honestly had no idea I would end up in education,” Alvarez admitted. “I grew a passion for photography and videography many years ago because of my kids growing up and my youth soccer team. When the Multimedia Production Specialist position became available, I decided to take a leap of faith. To my surprise, I was selected.”
This year marks Alvarez’s seventh with Alief ISD. Before stepping into his current role in the Public Relations department, he served full-time as an officer with the Alief ISD Police Department, a role he still holds today as a commissioned officer.
For Alvarez, the best part about working in Alief ISD is the chance to highlight the achievements of staff and students. “My favorite part is visiting different campuses to capture the great things happening, taking photos at sporting events for players and parents, and of course, graduation,” he said. “Graduation is always fun because it’s the one time where everything comes together.”
While he is modest about his impact, Alvarez hopes his work speaks for itself. “I’m not really sure if or how I would impact students and colleagues,” he said, “but I would like to hope to impact them through my work.” His approach to connecting with students and families is simple but meaningful: “I build relationships with a smile, a photo or video camera, an open ear, and understanding.”
Switching careers was no small feat for Alvarez, and he considers his growth in his current role a major accomplishment. “Making it this far as a Multimedia Production Specialist is a big accomplishment that I’m proud of,” he reflected. “The career switch was and continues to be daunting, that I even surprise myself many times.”
Alvarez finds joy in events where he can preserve moments that matter—whether it’s a sports game, a cultural celebration, or “sugar day,” which he counts among his favorites. Beyond work, he describes himself as a “foody” who enjoys exploring new restaurants, watching movies, and giving back to his youth soccer club as a registrar, field coordinator, trainer, and college recruitment advisor.
His passion for service doesn’t come as a surprise when you learn about his role model—his mother. “Despite having a second-grade education, she taught herself how to read, write, and speak English by watching soap operas and reading love novels,” Alvarez shared. “She worked multiple jobs, graduated from cosmetology school, and retired from Galena Park ISD. She accomplished so much, and what I learned from her is that no matter how big or tough an obstacle is, determination and a strong mind will always get me through.”
The Alief community, Alvarez says, is special because of its energy. “The Alief community has passion. Lots of passion.” And it’s that passion—combined with the students’ personalities—that keeps him motivated. “The students are characters,” he said with a smile. “Some like the camera, some don’t, and some like it but are embarrassed. But they all end up enjoying taking photographs.”
Alvarez lives by a simple yet powerful quote that reflects both his career journey and his personal philosophy: “I am better today than I was yesterday, and I will be better tomorrow than I am today.”
From soldier to officer to storyteller, Mike Alvarez has found his place capturing the spirit of Alief ISD—one photo at a time.