Superintendent Stephanie S. Elizalde, Ed.D.

Superintendent Stephanie S. Elizalde, Ed.D. was elected by the Board of Trustees in June 2022 to serve as Superintendent of the Dallas Independent School District. Dr. Elizalde is a third-generation public school educator, following in the footsteps of her grandmother and father. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in biology and a Master of Arts degree in educational leadership from UT San Antonio, and holds a doctorate in educational leadership and policy from UT Austin.

A native Texan, Dr. Elizalde is a lifelong educator committed to equity and excellence in education for every student. She has a proven track record of raising student academic achievement while building a culture of inclusion and equity. She understands the importance of developing collaborative relationships with the city and individual communities that are home to each individual school.

Her career has included working in diverse school systems from small to large urban settings, including Southwest ISD and San Antonio ISD. She has served students in various roles, including as a teacher, principal, assistant superintendent, and deputy chief.

Dr. Elizalde most recently served as Superintendent of the Austin Independent School District, where she focused on establishing financial stability, supporting the teacher in the classroom, SEL and academic supports for students, and strategic staffing – giving campuses with students who need more access to more.

Prior to her tenure in Austin, she was Chief Schools Officer for Dallas ISD, the second-largest school district in Texas. She joined Dallas ISD in 2011 as Director of Mathematics in the division of Teaching and Learning.

She believes in supporting, rewarding, and retaining excellent teachers, and views the development of great school leaders as the foundation for success. She stands behind the belief that the “teacher is the program.”

Her recognitions include being named one of four Greater Dallas Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Hispanics in Education for 2014 and recognition in 2016 by The Dallas Morning News as a “Point Person” for her work in the community. She was awarded the UT-Austin Dr. Nolan Estes Leadership Ascension Award five times, most recently in 2022, and earned a Presidential Medal from Ana G. Mendez University. She currently serves as the chair of the Texas Urban Council.