TISD Superintendent Dr. Salazar-Zamora Recognized Among Top 30 Influential Women of Houston as 2023 Honoree
TISD Superintendent Dr. Salazar-Zamora Recognized Among Top 30 Influential Women of Houston as 2023 Honoree
TOMBALL - Tomball ISD Superintendent of Schools and the 2023 Region 4 Superintendent of the Year Dr. Martha Salazar-Zamora has been named among the Top 30 Influential Women of Houston as a 2023 honoree.
The Top 30 Women celebrates the accomplishments and giving spirit of hundreds of diverse, influential, and powerful women in Houston and the surrounding areas. The women are from diverse backgrounds, share different beliefs, and have overcome obstacles.
Honorees were formally recognized at the annual The Top 30 Influential Women of Houston Awards gala on August 25 at The Royal Sonesta Houston Galleria. 2023 will mark the 10th year of the awards, which were founded by Keith J. Davis, Sr., also known as “MR. D-MARS.
This award signifies individuals who have been influential in their journey to the top. They have taken risks, embraced falls, believed in themselves, and remained courageous and resilient throughout their climb. Honorees, including Dr. Salazar-Zamora, have established themselves as leaders committed to growth and professional excellence in their respective fields and in the community. The Top 30 Women honor these champions.
Candidates for the Top 30 Influential Women of Houston Awards are selected through either self-nomination or nominated by others. As a leader in education, Dr. Salazar-Zamora, will join other influential women in various professions, during a celebration that focuses on their commitment to excelling and mentoring the next generation of leaders.
ABOUT DR. SALAZAR-ZAMORA
Dr. Salazar-Zamora brings over 36 years of experience in education and has served TISD as Superintendent of Schools since 2017. She previously served three years as the TISD Chief Academic Officer.
Because of Dr. Salazar-Zamora's leadership, Tomball ISD continues to set the bar high with innovative programs and initiatives that are student-centered and intentional. As the Region 4 Superintendent of the Year, she not only leads a fast-growth district, but one of the highest academic achieving districts in the state of Texas, all while maintaining strong financial management practices.
Salazar-Zamora’s leadership has led Tomball ISD to earn the distinction of the Top-Rated School District in both Harris and Montgomery Counties based on accountability ratings. Additionally, TISD was ranked No. 1 Best School District in Harris County and the No. 1 Best Place to Teach and No. 1 District for Having the Best Teachers in both Harris and Montgomery Counties and the Houston Area by Niche’s 2023 rankings. In addition, Tomball ISD was a finalist for two H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards in 2023 for Large School District and Outstanding School Board, the only school district in Texas nominated for more than one award.
She without a doubt has put Tomball ISD on the map as a pillar of excellence through leadership and a continuous drive for high achievement and innovation.
Whether it was implementing Strategic Plan 2025, or the passing of Bond 2021, Dr. Salazar-Zamora has been forced to make critical decisions that ultimately impact the future of Tomball ISD. She spearheaded the purchase of a $300M commercial/industrial complex for just $37.5M to become a multi-purpose educational facility, all while maintaining solid financial ratings.
Under her leadership, TISD has been committed to significantly higher standards in financial reporting and has received multiple awards for transparency, financial statement presentations and disclosures. Notably, a very small percentage of school districts throughout the state have received the high ratings in financial excellence that sets TISD apart.
In addition to strong finances, and in order to support high academic achievement, Dr. Salazar-Zamora is intentionally focused on the learning excitement within the school atmosphere, specifically related to the Professional Learning Community (PLC) process. Because of that focus, Tomball ISD is a Model PLC District by Solution Tree, only one of four districts in Texas and one of just 32 in the nation with that distinction.
She has also led a strategic roadmap for CTE programming since her Superintendency bega and has recently initiated four brand new programs in aviation, law enforcement, legal studies, and cybersecurity.
Tomball ISD will open its first P-TECH in 2023, focused on healthcare at Tomball Star Academy in partnership with Lone-Star College-Tomball and HCA Houston Healthcare Tomball. Tomball ISD will also open Early Excellence Academy, its newest Pre-K Center as part of Bond 2021.
Over the course of her professional career, she has been afforded many opportunities to connect, collaborate, and advocate with fellow colleagues through local, regional, state and national organizations. She has also been recognized by many organizations for her leadership.
- Texas Education Agency (TEA) Commissioner’s Cabinet
- Texas Association of School Administrators (TASA) - President-Elect
- American Association of School Administrators (AASA) - Executive Committee (Texas Representative)
- Fast Growth School Coalition (FGSC) - President
- The Council of Women School Executives (TCWSE) - State Vice President
- Past President and Founding Member of Texas Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents (TALAS)
- Hospital Corporation of America (HCA) Tomball - Board of Trustees
- Greater Tomball Area Chamber of Commerce - Board of Trustees
- 2023 Region 4 Superintendent of the Year
- 2022 Texas A&M University-Kingsville Distinguished Alumni
- Honored with an Adopted Resolution in 2022 from Harris County Commissioner’s Court as Outstanding Superintendent during Hispanic Heritage Month
Her representation and her ability to provide valuable insight by serving on these committees and executive boards has positively impacted Tomball ISD, the community of Tomball, and education as a whole.
Dr. Salazar-Zamora is a role model and a positive influence in public education, serving as the first female Superintendent of TISD and the first Hispanic Superintendent of Tomball ISD.
ABOUT TOMBALL ISD
Tomball ISD educates students to become responsible, productive citizens by providing innovative, individually rigorous, and personally valuable educational experiences. Founded in 1908, Tomball ISD now encompasses 83 square miles in northwest Harris County and southwest Montgomery County, and is located approximately 30 miles from downtown Houston. The district currently educates nearly 22,000 students at 22 campuses.
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