LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Michael Hinojosa was nominated by Elayne Sapp, a member of the community.

Dr. Hinojosa is a graduate of Dallas ISD. He went on to be a teacher, coach, and parent within the Dallas ISD community. Since then, he has served for over 26 years as a superintendent/CEO of six public education systems, including two of the 25 largest school systems in America: Dallas ISD in Texas and the Cobb County School District in suburban Atlanta, Georgia. His career in public education, from teacher and coach to superintendent/CEO, spans more than four decades.

Dr. Hinojosa’s recognitions include being named 2002 Superintendent of the Year by the Texas Association of School Boards and 2005 Superintendent of the Year by the University of Texas at Austin. He was honored as Distinguished Alumnus by the College of Education at Texas Tech University and as the Outstanding Latino Educator by the Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents in 2014. In 2019, D Magazine named Dr. Hinojosa the “Best Public Official” in Dallas. The Council of the Great City Schools recently awarded him the Green-Garner Award, the highest honor in urban education, as the 2020 Urban Educator of the Year. Dr. Hinojosa is also a past president of the Texas Association of School Administrators.

His accomplishments are outstanding, but it's important that we recognize his strength, as well.

"I am uncertain if any of us could have ever been prepared for what we have come to know as the COVID-19 pandemic," said Sapp. "Take a minute to truly think about not only how this pandemic has impacted schools around our country, but the difficulties the leadership of every school system has faced, whether it be from our government, the CDC, the students, or the parents. Through it all, Dr. Hinojosa has continued to lead and listen to his community."

With the Delta variant spreading through Texas as the 2021-2022 school year was approaching, Texas school districts found themselves in a battle over masks in schools, beginning with the Texas governor, Greg Abbott, placing a ban on school mask requirements. The Dallas ISD superintendent found himself caught in the middle of the Governor’s ban, the CDC recommendation that students and staff wear masks, the concerns of the district's staff, and the parents, who were divided on what they feel is in the best interest of their children.

Dr. Hinojosa stated, “I’m in a blue city in a purple county in a red state, and I’ve had elected officials, appointed officials, and medical officials give me different – and conflicting - advice. We’re hung out to dry, and we’ve just got to make a decision to protect as many families as we can.”

Under Dr. Hinojosa’s leadership, Dallas ISD was the first Texas school district to defy Governor Abbott’s ban on school mask requirements. Since making this decision, other districts have followed. It is honorable and noble to serve your community and be passionate about changing the lives of the children within that community, our future generations. To do it with accomplishment, and to stand up for the safety of your community, is heroic!