MEET TASA’S INSPIRING LEADERS

Now more than ever, Texas public 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.

Hafedh Azaiez

When Dr. Hafedh Azaiez became the superintendent in Donna ISD two years ago, the district had been through a lot. The previous superintendent had been forced out, and the school board was in disarray. But these challenges didn’t scare Azaiez away, and he got straight to work in changing things for the better.

“To say Dr. Hafedh Azaiez is an outstanding leader is an understatement,” says Sandra Quintanilla, Donna ISD’s public relations officer. “In the two short years that he has been the superintendent, which by the way is his first superintendent role in his academic career, the district has undergone major improvements in many levels across many departments.”

Azaiez kicked things off with a listening and learning tour, which helped to rebrand the entire district, changing public perception for the better. He also developed a five-year strategic plan for the district and expanded course offerings while streamlining business operations for maximum efficiency. More recently, he worked with the district to invest $5.7 million in providing technology to allow students and teachers to continue remote instruction during the COVID-19 crisis — a move that made him proud of everyone involved.

“Our teachers and staff came together and showed a lot of resilience to ensure that our students’ needs were met by providing distance learning and warm meals every day,” Azaiez says. “I am also proud of the new opportunities we were able to create and implement including our new Early College High School, two magnet schools, free full-day pre-K, and one-to-one devices for all our students.”

The work Azaiez has done in Donna shows his dedication to helping students in need, no matter the obstacles involved. “My personal philosophy is to always strive to go from good to great,” he says. “We should never stop creating more opportunities for all our students. I always enjoy dealing with challenges because I see them as opportunities to grow and make a difference.”

Collaboration and mentorship with other superintendents are important to Azaiez. He says open communication helps him and others to build their leadership capacity, which he sees as the key to maintaining success.

“It helps align all leaders behind a common vision and mission to achieve desired goals,” he says. “Coaching and sharing best practices will assist in developing the next generation of district leaders.”

Dr. Dana Bashara has worked in Alamo Heights ISD for the last 22 years, serving in several positions, from fifth-grade teacher to superintendent, the post she’s held for the last two years. Because Bashara’s mother was an elementary school teacher and her father was a high school football coach, she was raised with immense appreciation for the public school system and was inspired to go into the field by watching her parents serve their students.

“I’m passionate about leadership development and love the opportunity to support leadership growth in our district starting with our teachers,” Bashara says. “I value the investment in leadership in our teachers to build capacity in our schools to shape school culture and transform the way we are currently educating our students. Our teacher leaders never cease to amaze me.”

Bashara is dedicated to leadership development beyond her district, as a participant in a Bexar County superintendents group along with her involvement in TASA’s Future-Ready Superintendent Leadership Network, the Texas Council of Women School Executives and TASA’s Texas Public Accountability Consortium. Through these connections, she is able to give and receive support that has helped her develop as a leader.

“Collaboration with these thoughtful leaders has been essential to building capacity in my own district, and has been critical to my own personal learning and growth as a new superintendent.”

Dr. Frank Alfaro, who serves as assistant superintendent for administrative services in Alamo Heights ISD, says Bashara is an inspiration in the district and beyond.

“Her energy, passion and inclusive approach to doing the work makes TASA a stronger organization,” he says. With more than two decades of service in Alamo Heights, Bashara is exceptionally proud of her district. She says that the commitment and service she’s seen from the entire AHISD team helps keep her motivated, even when the job gets tough.

“I practice gratitude daily, and so when the challenges and stress come, I am rooted in all that is around me that is good, and right,” she says. “Yes, this career can be challenging, but it is in the challenge that great opportunity lies.”

Demetrus Liggins

A little over three years ago, Dr. Demetrus Liggins stepped into the superintendency in Greenville ISD with a focus on the crucial role the school district plays in the community. A native of Longview, Liggins grew up poor in a single-parent household and says education was his saving grace. He was inspired by the teachers he had who helped him find his confidence and, in time, his success. Through his work, he now hopes to provide the same kind of support to students in Greenville.

“As a young boy and student, I learned the powerful impact that educators have and how they can influence a child’s life and trajectory,” Liggins says. “Understanding this power is what ultimately led me to become an educator myself.”

In Greenville ISD, Liggins is most proud of how the district helps students find their individual passions by giving them choices and encouraging them to seek out areas that interest them most. Through his efforts, he’s not only bettered the campus environment for the students, but also district staff.

“Dr. Liggins has changed the culture and climate of GISD in a short period of time,” says Sharon Boothe, deputy superintendent of teaching and learning in the district. “He has the ability to share his passion in a way that enables others to feel passionate. In turn, his shared passion makes organizations soar in the accomplishment of their mission and vision.”

When the work gets tough, Liggins says he takes comfort in knowing that the work he does is worth the struggle. Through education, he feels he has the power to change students’ futures — a responsibility he doesn’t take lightly.

“I never forget that being an educator is something I get to do,” he says. “Remembering that keeps me going, even during the toughest times.”

Mentorship is also an important part of Liggins’ work. From his 20 years in education, he’s developed experience that he is more than happy to share with his colleagues in any way he can.

Eduardo Hernández

Two years ago, Dr. Eduardo Hernández became superintendent in Edgewood ISD, taking the helm amidst a period of turmoil in the district, involving a TEA investigation and high turnover rates in leadership positions. Since then, the changes he has made in the district have been immense and successful.

“We now have an amazing leader who supports us, grows us, pushes us and makes us think differently,” says Olga Moucoulis, executive director of industry and community partnerships in the district. “Personally, I have grown more in the last five months than I have in my entire career. That is what a true Inspiring Leader does.”

A child of immigrant parents, Hernández knows what it means to struggle and to overcome people’s expectations.

“My work is part of my personal ministry. I have been given a charge and a platform that I intend to use each day to fight inequity, a lack of education, and to combat any type of hate that may exist in our community,” he says. “My faith in people’s ability to rise out of their situation is the fountain that fuels my philosophy, as I grew up poor, too.”

Edgewood ISD was the initial plaintiff in a historic court case that led to reforms in Texas’ public school funding that aimed to make funding more equal between school districts in rich and poor areas. For Hernández, the case serves as a defining moment in the district’s history.

“What makes me proud of our district is the rich history of social justice that exists in our neighborhoods and in our schools that is still part of the pride that is talked about each day,” he says. “Our people are living embodiments of the hard fought neighborhood social movements for equity and access that are epitomized in the landmark court case around financial equity that Edgewood ISD lead here in Texas.”

An inspiration in Edgewood and beyond, Hernández is proud to mentor other education leaders in the state. To him, it’s a way to thank his community, while helping to support its future.

“Mentorship is an opportunity to help build the future, and I am a living testament to the many people who poured into me so that the fight for upward social mobility could continue now and in the future. I mentor because it is my way of giving back to my community and helping build the future of education leadership.”

Roosevelt Nivens

The son of two educators, Dr. Roosevelt Nivens struggled in school as a young child. It took a dedicated sixth grade teacher to get through to him and help him realize his full potential.

After getting his degree in education, Nivens played professional football for a few years before an injury changed his career plans. He began teaching in Dallas ISD and discovered how much he loves working with students. In 2015, Nivens was appointed superintendent of Community ISD, where he says he finds joy in positively impacting students in the district.

“Education is a calling, a ministry for me,” Nivens says. “I have a passion to help young people realize and get closer to reaching their full potential. Seeing them become successful adults fuels me to keep pushing forward.”

Always open and available to the community he serves, Nivens hands out his cellphone number to families in his district and refers to his students as his “babies.” In his district, he’s modeled a supportive environment that aims to provide the best opportunities to every student, no matter their circumstances.

“Our school district is named Community and that is exactly what we are,” he says. “I love how we always come together to support our students in their endeavors and efforts. I am always blown away how we help one another to make certain families have their basic needs met.”

For Nivens, communication with other leaders is key to having a successful career.

“I have numerous mentors, and I have learned from their experiences, which allows me to make great decisions (the first time) for the young people I serve,” he says. “The job of the superintendent is very lonely and extremely stressful … It’s wonderful to have like-minded people who are in the same struggle as you to share ideas or simply vent frustrations.”

Niven’s colleagues see him as an inspiring leader because of his dedication to making a better world for not only his students, but his entire community. In the wake of George Floyd’s death, Nivens released a video, calling on other leaders to present a cohesive front to fight racism in the community. It was a brave move that helped inspire others to action.

“We live in a better world because of Roosevelt Nivens,” says Jill Siler, superintendent of Gunter ISD. “He ‘speaks life’ into those he leads and everyone else around him. He is resolved to help young people create a better future, and his impact goes far beyond Community ISD.”