TASA’s Executive Superintendent program was designed to provide TASA members with access to an extensive and diverse cadre of experienced former superintendents with an array of combined expertise. Through the program, TASA members have access to a team of executive superintendents, each dedicated to serving administrators in their respective ESC regions. TASA’s executive superintendents serve as an extension of TASA staff and are on hand to support TASA members in a variety of ways, with an emphasis on helping new superintendents navigate the role. As seasoned administrators, these superintendents are able to listen and provide support based on their own experiences. Below we introduce you to the TASA Executive Superintendent for ESC Regions 13 and 14, Steve Flores.
Steve Flores’ joining of the TASA team as an executive superintendent was a homecoming. During his time as a doctoral student, he worked at TASA for two years alongside former Executive Director Johnny Veselka. Flores says that experience gave him insight into the role TASA plays for administrators, and ignited his desire to become a superintendent.
Flores made his foray into public education in 1983 as a freshman at San Angelo State University. He initially planned to study enough criminal justice to become an undercover narcotics officer, following in the footsteps of a cousin. But on his first day of college, Flores’ former coach from San Angelo ISD asked if he would work as a teacher’s and coach’s aid at his former junior high school.
Upon returning to the district as a paraprofessional, Flores knew the move was one he wanted to make permanent.
“I realized the importance of the ability to aid young people in determining the direction that they could be most successful in,” he says. “I thought, ‘This is a really powerful profession. I don’t want to do anything else.’”
While continuing his education, Flores worked as a teacher, coach, assistant principal, and principal before attending the Cooperative Superintendent Program at the University of Texas – Austin. After receiving his doctorate, he served as an assistant superintendent, area superintendent, deputy superintendent, and chief of staff, before landing as the superintendent in Harlingen CISD for five years, then taking the top position in Round Rock ISD for more than seven years, retiring in 2021.
From a paraprofessional to superintendent, Flores has held many roles in Texas public school districts, even driving buses. To him, any job involving students is the most important job there is.
“I’m very passionate about the fact that there’s not a profession that’s more important than educating our youth of today — the future of tomorrow’s workforce,” he says. “I believe our democracy depends on the quality of our public schools.”
Flores credits TASA with helping to shape him into the leader he became. For him, returning to TASA after his retirement to work as an executive superintendent was a simple choice to make.
“I learned with TASA that as a superintendent, you’re never out there alone,” he says. “For me, this was a call to give back to TASA and its members what TASA gave to me. I really feel like I am coming home.”
In his role as an executive superintendent, Flores hopes to be a sounding board for TASA members as they navigate their careers.
“I want to be a person they can feel comfortable with to help make their work not only doable, but impactful.”
Above all, Flores says he wants public school leaders to know that this moment offers a unique and excellent opportunity to lead.
“In our country, there’s not a leadership surplus, there’s a leadership vacuum,” he says. “With the vision of TASA, we want to assist in creating our future leaders, not only in Texas, but throughout the nation. We believe we can be a model for the rest of the nation, and anyway that I can assist, I’m just a phone call away.”
Find contact information for all the TASA executive superintendents.
