El Paso Herald-Post
By Staff Report
Superintendent Juan Cabrera / EPISD Photo
EPISD Superintendent Juan E. Cabrera is a finalist for the Council of the Great City School’s urban superintendent of the year title that recognizes excellence among educational leaders in school districts that serve large cities in the United States.
“Mr. Cabrera has helped transform EPISD into a District of Innovation that is recognized nation-wide as a place where forward-thinking teaching and learning are a priority,” said EPISD Board President Trent Hatch. “Under his leadership, we have seen unprecedented growth in student performance and we are on a clear path to modernize not just instruction but also our facilities.”
The Council named Cabrera among one of nine finalists for the Green-Garner Award, which is the organization’s highest recognitions for urban school superintendents.
Cabrera is vying for the award along with superintendents from Denver; Miami-Dade, Fla.; Buffalo, N.Y.; Pittsburg, Pa.; Dallas; Memphis, Tenn.; Charlotte-Mecklenburg, N.C.; and New York City.
The Council acknowledged Cabrera’s role in improving student performance over his tenure in EPISD. Cabrera was a driving force in introducing the popular New Tech Network of project-based instruction into the District and helped expand the rigorous International Baccalaureate program from one high school to three other campuses – including the first middle school IB programs in the county.
This year, the Texas Education Agency’s state accountability standards showed the District is top in Region 19 and third in Texas for the number of high-performing schools.
“We are building the best EPISD in the history of El Paso, and I am honored to be part of the team that is making this happen,” Cabrera said. “All this success would not be possible without exemplary teachers and an outstanding staff who care deeply about the children of our city.”
A winner will be announced during the Council’s annual fall conference on October 25 in Baltimore, Md.