RISD EDUCATORS’ CORNER Editor’s Note: In each issue of Richardson Life Magazine, we highlight individuals who are making a difference in the lives of Richardson Independent School District students. If you would like to nominate someone to be showcased in this section of RLM, email pmotte@hylogroup.com.

Q&A With Superintendent Tabitha Branum

Q&A submitted by Richardson Independent School District

Tell us about your background and what led you to become just the 20th RISD Superintendent in the last 124 years?

It’s an extraordinary honor and opportunity to lead Richardson ISD and something I’m grateful for each day. I truly love serving and supporting the students, staff and community in RISD. I began my education journey as a 7th and 8th grade social studies teacher, and immediately knew I would spend the remainder of my professional life serving and connecting with students. 

Kids are simply the best. Their curiosity and light bulb moments motivated me to continue to develop my skills because they deserved nothing but the best from me. In my leadership journey, I quickly realized my classroom simply got larger as my responsibilities increased. As an assistant principal, high school principal, and technology and curriculum leader, my role shifted from directly growing students to growing the adults so they could be their best for the students they served. After 16 years in a nearby district, I joined RISD 10 years ago and it was the best decision I ever made. 

When I had an opportunity to join RISD in 2013 supporting all secondary schools, I found my home. RISD has a very strong reputation in educator circles across the area, state and region and the RISD community is second to none. It’s what many educators consider a destination district, and that starts with our families, homeowners, businesses and organizations that understand the importance of quality public education and support our kids, teachers and staff.

When we arrived, our family immediately put down roots and I’m a very proud RISD employee, homeowner, taxpayer and parent. In 2021, our trustees named me interim superintendent and, in 2022, I was thrilled to be named superintendent of our amazing school district. Our family is so invested, my daughter just graduated from JJP in May. Cason is going into 4th grade and my son and dad work in RISD supporting students. It is truly family to me.

What drives and motivates you in your leadership role?

Seeing growth in our students and staff. The district’s north star goal coincides perfectly with my personal goals for ALL—facilitating the academic growth of all students. I think it can be very easy in today’s world to become distracted from “keeping the main thing the main thing,” but with each decision we face as leaders, if we ask the question “how will this impact student academic growth?” it helps us focus our resources on the right things.

The single most important factor in student academic growth is a quality classroom teacher. I will continue to work with our trustees to direct our limited resources to attract and keep the best possible educators in front of the students of our community because they deserve no less.

The first day of school is August 13. What can our community expect from the 2024-25 school year?

I’m excited for this school year and while we all appreciate the final days of summer, I can’t wait for teaching and learning to get started! Our efforts to attract and retain quality teachers are paying off and we anticipate a more experienced team of professional educators this year than in recent years, a trend we will work to continue. 

I am most excited about increasing our Career and Technology programming, including the most recent partnership with Toni and Guy on the heels of our Omni Hotel and Credit Union of Texas Smart branch efforts. Additionally, we will launch the first middle school transformations in RISD’s history at Forest Meadow Middle School and Lake Highlands Middle School. 

I also anticipate another transformative year with how we allocate our limited resources in our budget. We will continue to consider recommendations from our community in ways to both save funds but also increase revenue. Transparency is important to me and our team and we all invite our parents and taxpayers to follow along in budget planning discussions throughout this year.

The second semester of our school year will coincide with the next Texas legislative session. We will again ensure that our elected legislators are aware that school districts have not received a per-pupil increase in the basic allotment from the state since before the pandemic—six years and counting—despite inflation and the increasing costs to pay educators and operate schools. 

Finally, it’s important to acknowledge that this will be a year of transition for many in our district. As the first year of elementary school consolidations, a major district focus continues to be on the students, families, teachers and staff members who will be part of a new school community this year. We will continue to work to keep our commitments to those impacted as they acclimate to new friends, colleagues, and PTAs. I heard over and over last year that it’s not a building that makes a school great; it’s the people. We’re excited about possibilities as schools and communities combine.

How do you balance being a mom with your responsibilities as superintendent? When you’re not working, what are your non-RISD interests?

I am asked this question often. As you can imagine, the superintendency is a 24-7 responsibility. I do not strive for a balance; instead, I try to find a rhythm. There are times when RISD needs my all, whether we are managing a crisis or implementing a large initiative like Project RightSize. My family knows during those moments I may have some long days and nights. 

As we move beyond those more time intensive experiences, I make sure I am present at my kids’ games and activities. I text our family group every morning to just connect with them as a unit and Friday night before football games is always reserved for family dinners. It is the best. I am grateful to have the most patient and understanding husband and family. My parents are also life savers and we all just make it work.

RISD is my passion and I love to continue to read and grow as a person, leader and educator so I can better serve this community. I especially love to read anything by Jon Gordon or John Maxwell. I fill my bucket by spending time by the water, any body of water. It is where I find the most peace and relaxation. My family and my faith provide me perspective and, as long as I have that, I am good. 

My favorite quote captures my “why”: “If not now, then when and if not you, then who?” I am driven to ensure I leave at the end of the day better and to inspire that same growth in the entire organization. Every child, every teacher and every leader, every day!