El Paso Inc.
EPISD superintendent Juan Cabrera. Photo by: Photo by Leonel Monroy Jr./EPISD
The state of the El Paso Independent School District is strong and El Paso students are benefiting from the innovative and modern programs being used by teachers in the classroom, Superintendent Juan E. Cabrera told business and civic leaders recently.
Cabrera spoke at EPISD’s State of the District luncheon at the Centennial Banquet and Conference Center on Biggs Army Air Field. He said EPISD is in the midst of a new era in teaching and learning that aimed at improving the lives of students through forward-thinking programming.
“There’s never been a better time to be a part of this amazing school district,” Cabrera told the audience, which included many people watching the address via a live online stream. “Yes, we had a rough time recently, but we are focusing on the future and what we need to do to give our current students the tools and skills they need to be global leaders in the 21st century.”
The speech included a review of academic programs that have helped EPISD reached unprecedented levels in high-quality teaching and learning. Those include the expansion of the dual-language and International Baccalaureate programs, the creation of the Young Women’s STEAM Research & Preparatory Academy and the addition of several New Tech Network campuses.
Cabrera also thanked the community for supporting the District’s efforts to upgrade its facilities to better conform to 21st century learning environments. Several projects in the voter-approved bond program have already begun their design stage and groundbreakings will start soon.
About 100 students from every corner of the District participated in the event. Booths were set up around the conference center to let students showcase their school or program to the civic leaders that attended the event. The booths went along with the theme of the event: “Discover EPISD.”
The event also featured a welcome from Board President Dori Fenenbock and a speech from current EPISD Elementary Teacher of the Year Jill McGee from Mesita Elementary.
Proceeds from the event benefited the EPISD Education Foundation, which gives scholarships to District graduates and Classroom Impact Grants to teachers. More than $70,000 were raised.
To view a recording of the event, please visit the EPISD YouTube Channel.