MEET TASA’S INSPIRING LEADERS

Now more than ever, Texas public school school staff members are looking to leaders to inspire them in their day-to-day work as we all cope with an ever-changing educational landscape and head into an unforeseeable future. TASA’s “Inspiring Leaders” tagline is not just a reminder of TASA’s commitment to leadership development — it describes our members themselves. In this and future issues of INSIGHT, you will meet some of those Inspiring Leaders, and it is our hope that they will guide you and invigorate you in the work that you do. To nominate a leader for inclusion, email drivers@texasschoolbusiness. com.

Ricardo Lopez

In January 2018, Dr. Ricardo Lopez took the helm in Garland ISD, stepping into the superintendency with a vision of providing an outstanding education to all students in the district, without exception. In creating that goal, Lopez has also fostered an inclusive environment among staff in Garland, something that makes him proud.

“I am proud that our work is always about the people, and it always has been — those we work with, how to prepare our students for the future — while we continue to honor the past,” Lopez says. “Garland ISD is privileged to have a more than 100-year-old, glorious past. I am proud of our tradition of excellence, and that we have graduates who are now working and leading across the state, nation and world.”

Lopez takes pride in the success of numerous initiatives in Garland ISD, including an investment in Improvement Required (IR) campuses that involved reconstituting two IR campuses using the ACE campus turnaround model to great success: Both campuses moved from a D to a B in just one year. He is also excited that Garland is working to develop P-TECH programs and collegiate academies at all seven high schools in the district.

“Most recently, GISD’s response to COVID-19 makes me exceptionally proud. We moved quickly to provide support by developing an at-home learning platform, distributing devices, providing meals and delivering virtual counseling services for social and emotional learning along with support for families,” Lopez says. “All of these points of pride are grounded in the district’s belief system of helping all students succeed, no matter what.”

Mida Milligan, who serves as executive director of communications and public relations in Garland, praises Lopez’s positive and encouraging tone as one tool he uses to build excitement and inspiration throughout the district.

“He has built strong relationships in our community and district with his ‘Lopez Listens’ meetings and multiple outreach opportunities for both families and staff,” Milligan says. He has energized everyone and is our ‘chief motivator’ and biggest cheerleader. He has rallied everyone to accomplish challenging goals, including our board and staff.”

In a profession that can be challenging and isolating even in the best of times, Lopez embraces the ever-changing nature of the work, saying it’s these kinds of situations that keep him focused on moving ahead. “I view the work as comparable to solving a multifaceted puzzle, and that energizes me,” he says. “I like being able to bring teams together to solve complex issues, making the impossible achievable. I thrive on that kind of work and the successes that result from it.”

Milligan says that Lopez’s unique outlook has helped inspire her to branch out in her work in new ways.

“He has inspired me to create new marketing strategies, using more digital and cutting edge platforms — including a rap video that connects with kids and communities,” she says. “He is larger than life and is a great communicator and promoter for Garland ISD.”

As a TASA member, Lopez understands the importance of mentorship between superintendents. He makes a point to speak with other administrators across the state, and says their insight has helped him to evolve as a leader.

“If it were not for other superintendents investing time and energy in me, I would not be where I am now,” Lopez says. “I am continually impressed with the level of leadership I encounter from superintendents across the state. It’s important that we continue to share and lock arms for the sake of all of our children. We are better together.”

Clarence Simmons

With more than 30 years of work in education under his belt, Clarence Simmons serves as executive director of secondary education and campus support in Birdville ISD. Each week, Simmons sends out a “Simmons Says” email newsletter, where he offers shoutouts to district staff members and highlights some of the great things he sees going on in Birdville. In one such email, he took the time to write a dedicated message to each secondary administrator in the district — more than 55 in total.

Simmons refers to the environment in Birdville ISD as “ego-free,” where campus needs are first and foremost on administrators’ minds.

“I am proud of the responsive and servant leadership from top down,” he says. “I am proud as well of our department of teaching and learning who works so closely with our digital learning team to create pathways for our students to personalize learning in an authentic manner.”

Dave Lambson, who serves as executive director of Birdville’s technology department, praises Simmons’ leadership style and appreciates his dedication to recognizing and honoring staff and campus achievements.

“Each of us recognizes the importance of a teacher knowing his or her students, and so it goes with Clarence as an inspiring leader,” Lambson says. “He is present and on campuses often as he coaches those he leads through their academic endeavors and guides them through multiple forms of building management.”

Simmons cites his “servant heart” as keeping him going when work becomes challenging or stressful. He stresses that he works “with” and “for” those he supervises, and that way of thinking has led to a collaborative and supportive environment among the Birdville ISD team.

“It’s not about me, and I care less about receiving credit versus making sure the needs of the campuses are met with exemplary service,” Simmons says. “I find my inspiration in the work of the campus principals and the exemplary leadership they model for their school communities.”

Mentorship is crucial to professional success, and Simmons has served in a leadership role to many for years, since he was tapped by his own superintendent, T.D. Scott, to step into administration.

“The first superintendent I worked for, T.D. Scott, asked me to be a mentor to others when I thanked him for giving me my principal position at such an early point in my career. The request is something that I have always lived up to because administrators need to collaborate and need to learn from the past experience of others,” Simmons says. “We are in the business of building relationships with our school communities, and mentoring each other can only lead to us all being better leaders.”