“I appreciate my team ... teachers and students for letting me be the face of the success that they are experiencing.” Nivens said at the June 16 board meeting. “No superintendent can do this alone.
How we got here
President Jacci Hotzel said the board nominated Nivens and supported him through the interview that determined his award.
“We are just immensely proud of you,” Hotzel said. “We are blessed to have you as a superintendent of this district.”
The background
Nivens previously won the award in 2019 for Region 10 in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, while he was serving as Community ISD superintendent, according to the release.
Since his appointment in 2021, the release said Nivens has overseen the district’s “historic growth and academic success” through several initiatives, including:
- Expanding career and technical education programming, including the district’s new center slated to open in fall 2026
- Strengthening professional learning communities to increase teacher retention
- Exceeding state peers in career, college and military readiness
“His ability to inspire trust, lead with integrity and build strong connections across his community is a testament to his outstanding leadership,” said Rodney Watson, executive director of Region 4, in the release.
What’s next
Nivens is now in the running for the statewide Texas Superintendent of the Year award, to be announced Sept. 12 at txEDCON25 in Houston by the Texas Association of School Boards.
