Godley ISD school board trustees unanimously nominated Dr. Rich Dear for Superintendent of the Year. The board adopted a resolution during its regular monthly meeting on March 27, 2023.
“From serving this district, students, staff and citizens to serving Region 11 as well as the state, Dr. Dear has always done so with integrity and positivity,” commented board president Matt McKittrick. “He has done such an amazing job of not only being our lead learner but also working on many things that sometimes go unnoticed - like preserving our history for future generations, setting us up for success as we grow exponentially and honoring our alumni who are military veterans.”
Dear has 26 years of educational experience and has led the Godley school district as superintendent since 2011. Having begun his educational career in 1997, Dear first worked as a science teacher and coach at Brewer High School in White Settlement. He later was an assistant principal at Brewer after completing internships at multiple district campuses. In 2005, Dear came to Godley as assistant principal at Godley High School and became the school's principal in 2007.
The superintendent holds a doctorate in educational leadership from Tarleton State University. He earned a master’s degree in educational administration from Tarleton and a bachelor's degree in biology from Southwest Texas State University.
Dear received the Exemplary Instructional Leader Award from Tarleton State University's Effective Schools Project, the American Soldier Defender of Freedom Award, Power Super recognition from Huckabee and Distinguished Administrator Award from the Texas Music Educators Association.
“Dr. Dear is beyond deserving of this recognition, and I am proud to have him leading our district and its future,” McKittrick said. “It was a unanimous, no-brainer decision by the board to nominate him for this amazing honor.”
The Superintendent of the Year (SOTY) award program is sponsored by the Texas Association of School Boards. Initial nominations are submitted to the education service centers for regional consideration. Regional finalists are then forwarded for evaluation by a statewide committee.
Nominees must be in at least their third year of service with a district, be a member of the Texas Association of School Administrators, hold a Texas superintendent certificate and meet ongoing professional education requirements, and be active as of the 2023 TASA/TASB state convention in September.
Since 1984, the award program has honored outstanding administrators for achievement and excellence in public school administration. These school leaders exhibit exemplary and visionary leadership toward improving student performance. They are chosen for their strong leadership skills, dedication to improving the quality of education in their districts, and commitment to public support and involvement in education.
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