A Message From the Superintendent — The Season of “Yes”

Disponible en: Español

Dear Aldine Community,

On many a day, I have stood in the middle of a pep rally, surrounded by the sound of a drumline, the rhythm of a mariachi ensemble, and the joyful surprise of a principal learning they had just been named Principal of the Year. In each moment, I was reminded of something powerful: this is the season when “maybe” turns into “yes.”

Yes to a college acceptance.
Yes to advancing to state.
Yes to earning a scholarship.
Yes to discovering a talent that will shape a future.

As we close out February and step into March — the height of competition season — I am bursting with pride. Our students are showing that they are ready to seize opportunities, not just wait for them.

This is the #AldineStory in action.

Excellence on Every Stage
In just the past few weeks, we have celebrated remarkable accomplishments across academics, athletics, fine arts, and leadership.

Our students advanced to the state History Day competition. Two Academic Decathlon teams earned state berths — a district first. Four of our musicians performed with the Texas All-State 6A Concert Band. Carver High School’s Mariachi Acero earned sweepstakes honors and advanced to the UIL State contest.

Our student-athletes signed letters of intent on National Signing Day, turning years of discipline into scholarship opportunities. Our FFA Livestock Show broke records in its 67th year, showcasing student leadership, responsibility, and skill.

In the arts, our students earned top honors at the Regional Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, and several advanced to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo School Art Auction. These young artists are telling stories through paint, photography, and prose — stories that reflect both heritage, experiences, creativity, and hope.

And just as important as performance and competition are the measurable academic gains happening inside our classrooms.

Several Aldine ISD campuses earned Silver distinction on the 2025 AP School Honor Roll, reflecting expanded access to Advanced Placement coursework and strong student performance. That recognition signals more students taking rigorous classes — and succeeding.

In addition, Blanson Career and Technical Education High School and Young Women’s Leadership Academy were named to the Educational Results Partnership’s 2025 Texas Honor Roll, which recognizes top-performing schools across the state that are closing achievement gaps and accelerating learning — particularly among higher-poverty and historically underserved student populations. Only about 15% of eligible Texas schools earned this distinction.

These recognitions affirm what we already know: when expectations are high and support is strong, Aldine ISD students rise to meet the moment.

Whether in a laboratory, on a stage, in a welding booth, on a field, or inside an AP classroom, our students are demonstrating what it means to graduate with choices and opportunities.

Investing in Innovation
Great outcomes begin with great teaching.

This month, the Aldine Education Foundation’s Prize Posse surprised four outstanding educators with Innovative Teaching Grants to bring bold ideas to life. These grants will help them launch projects such as drone-based air quality monitoring, hands-on sound experiments for students, bilingual financial literacy lessons, and classroom connections to national book festivals. Each initiative is designed to create new learning opportunities for students.

When we invest in teachers, we accelerate opportunities for students.

That same spirit of innovation is demonstrated in our expanding dual credit partnership with Lone Star College, which has recorded significant enrollment growth as more students gain college-level experience. Programs like HEAL at Nimitz High School, as witnessed during the Winter Olympics, showcase innovation by giving students hands-on preparation for futures in high-demand fields and early entry into health care careers in collaboration with Memorial Hermann.

These are not isolated initiatives. They are strategic, aligned investments that bring our strategic plan, Accelerate, and our Portrait of a Graduate to life.

Celebrating Leadership and Legacy
February has also been a month of recognition.

We celebrated Black History Month by honoring the leaders of the past and the history being made in our classrooms today. Through our Aldine Talks video series and campus events, we reminded our students that Black history is Aldine history.

We honored National School Counseling Week, commending the professionals who amplify student success every day. We celebrated Career and Technical Education Month, where students showcased real-world skills that power tomorrow’s workforce.

We surprised two extraordinary campus leaders as our 2026 Principals of the Year — leaders who model excellence and elevate their school communities.

And I was deeply humbled to receive recognition at the state and national levels this month. Please know that any honor I receive belongs to the 9,000-plus employees who show up for children every single day. Leadership is never a solo act. It is shared work.

Facing Change With Purpose
At our February Board meeting, the Board of Trustees approved campus closure recommendations as part of our annual district optimization process.

These decisions are never easy. They are made after months of analysis, collaboration, and community input. They are not about buildings — they are about sustaining excellence, protecting programs, and preserving our people.

Even in the face of enrollment decline and funding challenges, our promise remains unchanged: every student will graduate with choices and opportunities.

What makes Aldine special is not a structure of brick and mortar. Aldine’s strength resides in its educators, its students’ resilience, and its families’ support — not its buildings.

That is not changing.

Preparing for What’s Next
As March begins next week, our calendar reflects both celebration and preparation.

We will observe International Women’s Day on March 6, encouraging our community to “Give to Gain.” Campuses will celebrate SEL Week, reinforcing that academic growth and emotional well-being go hand in hand.

Our high school juniors will soon participate in SAT School Day — offered at no cost to families — ensuring access to college entrance opportunities during the school day. Rising 6th- and 9th-grade parent nights are helping families plan for key academic transitions.

This is what access looks like.
This is what acceleration feels like.

Join Us
If you are looking to make an impact, I invite you to join us at our districtwide hiring event on March 7 at Davis High School. Aldine ISD is hiring across all positions. We are building a team committed to high-quality instruction, strong relationships, and student-centered innovation.

The future of Aldine ISD isn’t something we wait for — it’s something we build together.

As we close February, I want to thank our students, staff, families, and community partners for making this season one of momentum and meaning. The competitions, performances, and recognitions are important — but what matters most is the daily work happening in every classroom.