AUSTIN, Texas – Aug. 1, 2025 – Dr. Shawn Bird from SAISD was selected to join The Holdsworth Center’s Aspiring Superintendent Leadership Program (ASLP), a 15-month program designed to equip future superintendents with the skills, knowledge and experience to lead Texas districts with vision and purpose.
This first-of-its-kind program is designed to help leaders gain mastery of the skills and behaviors needed to be an exceptional superintendent from day one. Participants immediately put their learning into action through significant projects created in partnership with their superintendents.
The program hones critical leadership skills like communication, relationship management and decision-making – increasingly vital skills in today’s educational landscape. Participants apply these skills in real-world situations, receiving guidance and feedback from experienced coaches to refine their approach and reach mastery.
“There’s nothing like this program in the field,” said Dr. Marcelo Cavazos, Holdsworth’s Executive Superintendent-in-Residence. Cavazos recently retired from Arlington ISD, where he served as superintendent for 11 years. “It’s like a medical residency for superintendents. We put them in as many real-life or simulated scenarios as possible to get them ready for a challenging, high-stakes job. It’s one thing to watch your superintendent run a board meeting, quite another when you’re the one in the hot seat answering tough questions.”
The job of superintendent is rewarding, but also difficult and complex. There are few opportunities to “practice” the role before taking the seat. Superintendents who are unprepared for the little-known realities of the role pose a higher risk of leaving before they can have a positive impact. Superintendent instability has negative impacts on district staff and students.
“Having strong, resilient superintendents at the helm of all Texas districts is critical to improving outcomes for students in the face of great headwinds battering public education,” said Dr. Lindsay Whorton, president of The Holdsworth Center.
The 2025 Aspiring Superintendent Leadership Program participants include an outstanding cohort of leaders from across Texas:
Alief ISD: Dr. Jeannine Porter, Chief of Staff
Angleton ISD: Dr. Alicia Press, Director of Administrative Services
Channelview ISD: Michael Houston, Deputy Superintendent for Instructional and Administrative Support
Corpus Christi ISD: Dr. Sandra Clement, Deputy Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction
Crandall ISD: Christy Starrett, Deputy Superintendent
Del Valle ISD: Dr. Mark Cantu, Deputy Superintendent
Donna ISD: Stephanie Powelson-Garza, Executive Director of Curriculum and Instruction
Everman ISD: Dr. Kentrel Phillips, Assistant Superintendent
Fort Bend ISD: Dr. Jaretha Jordan, Deputy Superintendent of Teaching and Learning
Hurst-Euless-Bedford ISD: Dr. Brandon Johnson, Deputy Superintendent of Educational Operations
Judson ISD: Cecilia (“Ceci”) Davis, Deputy Superintendent of Innovation, Business and Operations
Leander ISD: Dr. Sarah Grissom, Deputy Superintendent
Los Fresnos CISD: Ada Amaro, Deputy Superintendent for Operations and Principal Support
Lubbock ISD: Misty Rieber, Chief Academic Officer
Manor ISD: Dr. Tamey Williams-Hill, Deputy Superintendent
Medina Valley ISD: Brandi Hendrix, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum & Instruction
Midlothian ISD: Shelle Blaylock, Chief Academic Officer
San Antonio ISD: Dr. Shawn Bird, Deputy Superintendent
Spring Branch ISD: Dr. Bryan Williams, Community Superintendent
Temple ISD: Dr. Donna Ward, Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources
About The Holdsworth Center
The Holdsworth Center is a non-profit that builds stronger leaders for Texas public schools through world-class leadership programs. Since its founding in 2017, Holdsworth has served 1,900 educators in 88 school districts across Texas.