Commencement Speaker Profile

The American Association of School Administrators selected Rio Grande City CISD Superintendent Roel A. Gonzalez as the 2008 Superintendent of the Year for Texas. He will represent Texas in the AASA’s 2008 National Superintendent of the Year Program.

He advocates an unending, non-negotiable focus for student learning. By employing his “student learning is non-negotiable” philosophy, he has creatively led the district in successfully meeting the needs of the students within the school system.

Understanding the cultural needs of Hispanic, economically disadvantaged children first hand, Gonzalez addresses the necessary motivational tools required to tackle the inherent barriers present in the lives of the RGCCISD student population.

He is living proof of how education is the great equalizer. Coming from a humble background himself, Gonzalez builds upon his own strengths as a world-class communicator, motivator, organizer, visionary, and teacher, to demonstrate the philosophy he has successfully executed to influence organizational change.