Tomball ISD's Salazar-Zamora named Region 4 Superintendent of the Year

Tomball ISD Superintendent Martha Salazar-Zamora, who has served as TISD superintendent since 2017, was named 2023 Superintendent of the Year for the Region 4 Education Service Center, according to May 30 news releases from TISD and Region 4.

According to Region 4, the Superintendent of the Year program has recognized "exceptional administrators who have demonstrated achievement and excellence in public school administration" since it was established in 1984; the program is sponsored by the Texas Association of School Administrators and the Texas Association of School Boards. Salazar-Zamora was nominated by the TISD board in April and chosen from Region 4's service area, which includes eight counties and 48 school districts.

“Dr. Salazar-Zamora’s well-deserved recognition as the 2023 Region 4 Superintendent of the Year reflects her outstanding commitment to educational leadership,” Region 4 Executive Director Rodney Watson said in a release. “Her tireless dedication to cultivating a nurturing and tightly knit learning community that focuses on the holistic development of every student sets a remarkable example for education leaders statewide.”

As the Region 4 nominee for Superintendent of the Year, Salazar-Zamora will be interviewed Aug. 25-26 where five state finalists will be selected before the Superintendent of the Year is announced Sept. 29 at the TASA/TASB Convention, according to Region 4.

“The TISD board is thrilled to see Dr. Z awarded for her tireless efforts. Whether it is promoting teacher improvement through collaborative learning communities or dreaming up innovative initiatives to equip our students to become tomorrow's workforce, Dr. Z is helping the district achieve new distinctions and recognition like never before,” TISD Board President Lee McLeod said in a news release.

Before her time as TISD superintendent, Salazar-Zamora served three years as the district's chief academic officer. According to a release from TISD, Salazar-Zamora also serves on the Texas Education Agency Commissioner’s Cabinet and the American Association of School Administrators, and is president elect for TASA, vice president for the Fast Growth School Coalition and The Council of Women School Executives, a founding member of the Texas Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents, and a board member for HCA Tomball and the Greater Tomball Area Chamber of Commerce.

“I am extremely grateful to work alongside such passionate educators in Tomball ISD who put their whole heart into their work each and every day,” Salazar-Zamora said in a release. “This recognition is a culmination of the amazing work that continues to happen all across Tomball ISD as well as a representation of our commitment to our overall vision and mission.”