Name: Dr. Darrell Floyd

Title: Superintendent

Organisation: Blue Ridge Independent School District - Blue Ridge, Texas

"Bio for Dr. Darrell Floyd Dr. Darrell Floyd has a total of 28 years of experience as CEO/Superintendent of Schools. He is currently Superintendent of Schools in Blue Ridge ISD in Blue Ridge, Texas (2023-present). He served as 6A (large school) Superintendent of Enid Public Schools in Enid, Oklahoma for 9 years (2014-2023). And prior to that, he served for 14 years as Superintendent of Stephenville ISD in Stephenville, Texas (2000-2014) and Superintendent of Linden-Kildare CISD for 3 years prior to that in Linden, Texas (1997-2000).

He has been elected by his peers as regional Superintendent of the Year in both Oklahoma and Texas and been nominated as national Superintendent of the Year as well (in Texas). He has been a part of helping pass numerous bond elections over his career, and his students have achieved national recognition academically and earned national awards in a number of different extracurricular activities – including two national Blue Ribbon School awards. Dr. Floyd holds an earned doctorate degree from Texas A&M University-Commerce, a master’s degree from the University of Texas-Permian Basin, and a bachelor’s degree from Texas Tech University.

In addition to his CEO/Superintendent experience, Dr. Floyd also has experience as a high school principal (Castleberry High School and Queen City High School), junior high principal (Paul Pewitt CISD), middle school assistant principal (Waco ISD), 9th grade history teacher/coach (Ector County ISD in Odessa, Texas), and an elementary P.E. teacher/coach/administrative intern (Odessa, Texas).

He has received a number of regional and statewide awards over the years, and he has also held several statewide leadership roles. He previously served as president of TASA - the Texas Association of School Administrators (2013-2014), as well as president of TAMS - the Texas Association of Mid-size Schools (2008-2010). He received the Texas A&M University-

Commerce Distinguished Alumni Award in 2014. He was selected by his peers here in Oklahoma as the District 3 Superintendent of the Year in 2016-2017 and again in 2022-2023. And in 2019 he was appointed by Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt as the State Compact Commissioner for the Military Interstate Children’s Compact Commission (MiC3).

Dr. Floyd has given freely of his time to volunteer on a number of nonprofit boards in the past that have included: United Way, Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club, Optimist Club, Lions Club, American Business Club, and several hospital boards (among others). In addition, in an effort to give back to his profession, Dr. Floyd serves as an adjunct graduate professor – teaching principal, superintendent, and doctoral courses for various universities (Oklahoma State University, Stephen F. Austin State University, and Lamar University…while also serving as a dissertation chair for California Baptist University.

He has two grown children. His son Tyler and wife Andi live in Plano, Texas and have one son named Calvin. Tyler played baseball at Texas Tech University (catcher), helping the Red Raiders to the College World Series twice (2014 and 2016), and he was also named the Big XII Scholar Athlete of the Year in 2016. He is now a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) as well as a Certified Private Wealth Advisor (CPWA).

He is now a Director at Strategic Financial Management Group – SFMG in Plano, Texas. Andi is originally from Sunnyvale, Texas. She ran track at Texas Tech and is a Speech Pathologist. Dr. Floyd’s daughter Brittany is a Traveling Occupational Therapist, and her longtime boyfriend Alex works in Cyber Security remotely. They are also both graduates of Texas Tech University. "

Thank you to the 2,000 leaders who’ve generously done the 7 Questions on Educational Leadership!

I hope Dr. Darrell's answers will encourage you in your leadership journey. Enjoy!

Cheers,

Jonno White

1. What have you found most challenging as an Educational Leader?

This is my 39th year in public education (total) and my 28th year as Superintendent of Schools. The thing I have found most challenging, especially the past few years, is finding highly qualified teachers. The teacher shortage is real, and it is nationwide.

2. How did you become an Educational Leader? Can you please briefly tell the story?

I grew up in the West Texas oilfield town of Andrews (30 miles north of Odessa). My dad worked in the oilfield for 40 years, and my mom worked in the school cafeteria. They instilled in me a deep appreciation for educators, and I aspired to be a teacher/coach while in high school. After earning my bachelor's degree at Texas Tech University, and beginning to teach and coach in Odessa, Texas...I was encourage by some mentors to become a school administrators, in order to have a greater effect on a larger number of students and faculty/staff.

So I quickly earned my master's degree at the University of Texas-Permian Basin and became a campus administrator. After serving in several campus principal roles across the state of Texas, I earned my doctorate at Texas A&M University-Commerce and became a Superintendent. I was Superintendent at Linden-Kildare Consolidated ISD in deep East Texas for 3 years (1997-2000), then Superintendent in Stephenville, Texas for 14 years (2000-2014). In 2014, I retired from Texas public schools after a total of 28 years and immediately rehired as a large school Superintendent in Enid, Oklahoma.

I stayed there for 9 years (2014-2023); then I retired from Oklahoma public schools and moved back to the Dallas/Ft. Worth area in order to be closer to my new grandson. I was then encouraged to come out of retirement (a second time) to become Superintendent of Blue Ridge ISD in Blue Ridge, Texas (a fast growth school district NE of Dallas in NE Collin County...the fastest growing county in America).

I am now in my 2nd year in that position (having failed retirement TWICE)! Ha! I also serve as an adjunct graduate professor, teaching online graduate courses in several principal, superintendent, and doctoral programs. It is my opportunity to give back to the profession I have enjoyed for 39 years.

3. How do you structure your work days from waking up to going to sleep?

I usually awake at 5:30 am and am at the office by 7:00 am or 7:30 am. My work days are structured around the school day, administrative meetings, school board meetings, and extracurricular activities. Depending on the day and the number of scheduled activities, I might not get home until 10:00 pm or midnight. But on a normal, non-activity night I try to be in bed by 10:00 pm.

4. What's a recent lesson you've learned for the first time or been reminded of as an Educational Leader?

One lesson that I've learned as a leader over the years, and one that I share with aspiring administrators, is that it is ok to say "I don't know," when you don't know. Don't bluff your way through it and try to act like you know all of that answers...you don't. But then you need to follow that up with, "But I'll find out and get back with you."

Then make sure that you research it, find the answer, and then make sure to follow up with that person on it. Because each time you "forget" to follow up with an appropriate answer...it chips away at your credibility as a leader.

5. What's one book that has had a profound impact on your journey as an Educational Leader so far? Can you please briefly tell the story of how that book impacted you?

I enjoy all of Jamie Vollmer's books as they relate to educational leadership. His "blueberry" story about a teacher giving HIM a lesson as an ice cream business executive is still appropriate today! If you don't know that story, it is worth looking up.

6. If you could only give one piece of advice to a young educator who aspires to be an Educational Leader, what would you say to them?

Here is some advice that I give to the aspiring principals and superintendents that I teach in graduate classes. In order to be an effective educational leader, you must be a good: Planner Organizer Stimulator/Motivator Coordinator, and Evaluator.

If you are not really good in some of those areas, then seek out some mentors that are good in those areas...and begin to pick their brain about how they got good in those areas and how you can improve your skills in those areas, so that you will be more effective as a school leader.

7. What is one meaningful story that comes to mind from your time as an Educational Leader, so far?

One meaningful story is that of my own first grade teacher. As a student in her class, she made such a positive impact on me and, like my parents, instilled in me an ability to be able to accomplish anything. And that positive attitude stays with me even today. I stayed in touch with her over the years, and she was always so proud of my educational accomplishments.

She was 91 when she passed away recently, and I was honored that her daughter asked me to speak at the funeral...because I was able to share with those in attendance how one teacher CAN make a difference, because I am evidence of that.