Laredo Watch exclusive: LISD Superintendent Nelson answers our questions

This is an exclusive Laredo Watch interview of Dr. Marcus Nelson, LISD's new superintendent.

1. What will you strive to accomplish at LISD?

Nelson: I am very happy to be in Laredo. I hope to mark the beginning of a new era in LISD and aspire to help the community renew their confidence in our school system. I want our staff to have the same enthusiasm and positive attitude in support of attaining our organizational mission of teaching our kids on a world-class level. I anticipate that over time our accomplishments will include the successful execution of a documented, strategic plan for effectively educating all LISD students. I also plan to bring about measurable increases in student academic achievement. My number one belief is that every child can succeed. But I just don't talk about this belief--I've lived it. I understand the challenges disadvantaged children face because I was a disadvantaged child, too. But with the right approach and the right attitude, every kid in Laredo can excel.

2. LISD has been through numerous Superintendents in only five years, what will you do to earn the trust of the board members?

Nelson: Our current board of trustees has followed a very tedious and extensive process to hire a Superintendent. This process has provided a very positive framework for building LISD and erasing the trust issues that have surfaced with previous Superintendents. I realize there have been some tumultuous times here with the board and the previous CEO’s. I am confident that my work ethic, leadership style, and high expectations for all staff will be the catalyst for a level of teamwork and focus on academics that will yield the kind of results that the community will appreciate and support. I believe in maintaining high professional, moral, and ethical standards. By being transparent and honest when communicating, our team of eight will work together to provide a new vision for LISD that is all about student success. Education is a team sport. I have a passion for building a game plan, working with others and then aggressively pursuing victory. That's what I've done at every job I've been blessed to have in my career; and that's what I'm doing in Laredo. I need the trust of our board...I want it. I want them to know that I am here to work with all of them to make this the best school district it can be.

3. How familiar are you with LISD's region and demographics to serve our children, whom many are from low income families and live in poverty.

Nelson: I have done an extensive amount of research on the students, staff, and community of LISD. I also know that Laredo, Texas is one of the most important cities in our great state. With all due respect, I firmly believe Laredo area schools are capable of producing more than we can even imagine for the future community. Being from San Antonio, I have been exposed to and am very comfortable with the Mexican-American culture, history, and the Spanish language. Throughout my career, I have spent significant amounts of time with teachers and students in various predominantly Hispanic districts including but not limited to Ysleta ISD, El Paso ISD, McAllen ISD, Brownsville ISD and several other places along our state border. You should also know that I am product of a poverty-level, single-parent home (all the way through college). I can relate with the experiences that many students in Laredo are facing today. I actually prefer being an educator in places where kids need public education the most. The school systems in South Texas all have significant academic challenges when considering the demographics of our students. I am proud to be a part of this community and I clearly understand our proximity to Mexico and the needs of our Laredo ISD families. I am glad the expectations for our team are high. I know these children have big dreams and it is our job to provide them the education they each need to be competitive in America, Mexico, or wherever life leads them in the future. We must work harder in Laredo to make sure our kids seek, and ultimately attain, all of their goals for the future.

4. What are your top three goals for the new upcoming school year?

Nelson:
A. To create a data-driven campus management system that is able to, through strategic planning, increase the number of Recognized/Exemplary campuses in our school district and turn-around low performing schools.

B. To create a new/updated system of communication with the Board of Trustees, LISD staff/campuses, and the Laredo community that exceeds expectations.

C. To complete audits and master planning process for our central office staff, district finances/budget, construction/maintenance plans, and our curriculum/instruction management systems and make budget/staffing recommendations on these areas.

5. How will you use you motivational speeches and talent to motivate those students in LISD?

Nelson: I plan to be myself. My speeches and presentations as Superintendent of LISD will be a little different than some of the speeches and music presented on my personal website. While public speaking is part of the expectations of any Chief Executive Officer, I want to be clear that my focus as a Superintendent is different than my mindset as an educational consultant, entertainer, or keynote presenter. I am more excited than ever to unleash the massive untapped potential in LISD staff and students. I believe the children of Laredo should be the conscience of our community. As adults in Laredo, it is our collective responsibility to rally together and focus on the students we serve in Laredo, Texas. The young hearts and minds of our students have so much potential and require us to do our very best work each day. While I do have the opportunity to inspire teachers, parents, and students throughout our state, my work as Superintendent is really not about “motivational speeches.” Moreover, speeches are not about words; it's about ideas. My verbal presentations tend to focus on important ideas like empowerment, having dreams, mental toughness, leadership, and setting goals. I would like to use my experience as a motivator to get our kids focused on empowering themselves and developing their dreams. If you can see it, you can be it. That's my message to our students. And it all starts in the classroom. The Laredo of tomorrow is being shaped in the classrooms of today. So my message is to start now building the future...one day at a time, one student at a time. As long as I am blessed and fortunate enough to be Superintendent of LISD, I plan to strive for higher levels of transparent leadership, results, and pride in our community of Laredo, Texas.