EPISD Superintendent Juan Cabrera is 2015 Texas Latino Superintendent of the Year

El Paso Independent School District Juan Cabrera has been named the 2015 Texas Latino Superintendent of the Year by the Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents.

He was also named one of four finalists for the national award.

Cabrera is scheduled to be in Washington Wednesday to receive his award and attend a gala which ALAS will recognize Latino administrators as well as educators who serve a large number of Hispanic students.

Cabrera said in a news release that he is “humbled at the recognition and excited to know that the hard work that is being done at EPISD is being noticed at a national level.”

“We have made great progress as a school district, and with the help of our amazing teachers and students I know we can do even more,” Cabrera said.

Cabrera joined EPISD in September 2013 and has helped lead the district through a reorganization effort in personnel to better serve the students and employees in the District. He also has overseen the implementation of a new instructional methods focusing on active learning, with a greater emphasis on social and emotional learning.

Since his appointment as superintendent of schools, Cabrera has been identified as one of the top national leaders in education, especially in topics involving Latino students. He was one of 100 superintendents from throughout the country to be selected by the U.S. Department of Education to participate in the National ConnectED Superintendent’s Summit. He also was appointed to the Executive Committee of the Great City Schools.

Locally, Cabrera serves on a wide range of boards including the El Paso Education Collaborative, the Center Against Sexual and Family Violence, the Greater El Paso Chamber of Commerce and the Rio Grande Workforce Development.

ALAS officials said Cabrera is part of a select group of school administrators making a strong a impact on students. “These educators represent the finest example of successfully implementing programs that meet the academic and social needs of all students, especially Latino students, as well as engaging parents and their communities in the process,” ALAS Executive Director Veronica Rivera said.