John Folks to join UTSA College of Education and Human Development this fall

John Folks

John M. Folks

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(May 30, 2012) -- John M. Folks, retiring superintendent of the Northside Independent School District (NISD), will join the faculty of the UTSA College of Education and Human Development (COEHD) this fall semester.

Folks, who was named 2011 Superintendent of the Year by the Texas Association of School Boards, will be a senior lecturer in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies. He will teach in the department's graduate academic and professional educational leadership programs. He also will serve in both the UTSA Superintendent Certification Program and the Center for Educational Leadership, Policy and Professional Development.

"Dr. Folks' distinguished career as a mathematics teacher, superintendent, Oklahoma State superintendent of public instruction, and School of Education dean at Southwestern Oklahoma State University will instantly elevate the already strong leadership programs in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies and add to the leadership preparation experiences of students going through our programs," said Betty Merchant, dean of the College of Education and Human Development. "I am extraordinarily delighted that Dr. Folks has chosen UTSA to continue his career in education and to further advocate for a strong system of public education in Texas."

"I have followed Dr. Folks' career over the last 15 years and have been extremely impressed by his record," said UTSA President Ricardo Romo. "I am very pleased that he will be joining us, and I know that he will make a significant contribution to the next generation of educational leaders."

Folks, who began his teaching career in Port Arthur, Texas, earned his bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees from the University of Oklahoma. Before his work as NISD superintendent, he was superintendent in the Spring ISD in Houston. He served as president of the Texas Association of School Administrators and is a member of the Greater Bexar County P-16 Council.

"I am very honored and proud to have the opportunity to teach graduate-level classes at UTSA," Folks said. "UTSA is a great partner of Northside ISD, and many teachers and administrators receive their preparation in the educational programs at UTSA. I am certainly happy about being involved in the preparation of school administrators and staying involved in education."

 

 

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