A native of Texas, David Thweatt was born in Ft. Worth and raised in Abilene. He earned a Bachelor of Education from Hardin Simmons University and Masters of Education from Texas State University. He started driving a school bus in 1979, and since that time has taught, coached forensics and debate, served as a high school assistant principal, high school principal, and is currently in his fifteenth year as superintendent at Harrold ISD. David is married and has three children—one of which still attends Harrold ISD. His wife, Mindee, teaches Math in Harrold. In 2007, David instituted an armed employee program called the Guardian Plan which has been subsequently copied in approximately 200 districts statewide. He worked with the Texas Senate in 2013 to pass SB 1857 which created the School Safety Certification. This certification program provides employees of schools, churches, and hospitals with concealed handgun training so that these organizations can implement similar programs more effectively.