Today we’d like to introduce you to Cecilia Crear.
Cecilia, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I graduated from Willowridge High School and attended Prairie View A&M University majoring in Electrical Engineering Technology. I figured I was good at math so why not pick a major where I could make lots of money? As a junior at Prairie View A&M, I received an internship opportunity at 3M in Minneapolis, Minnesota and I was excited to see what this major would look like in real life. I arrived and quickly observed that the environment was very sterile, certainly not what I thought it was going to be, and it didn’t take me long to come to the realization that this was not my path- I needed to have a connection with people. I finished my degree and began substitute teaching until I could figure out what to do next. Just as quickly as I realized engineering wasn’t my path, I realized teaching was. Even as a substitute teacher, teaching felt so comfortable to me, like I was born to do this! I signed up for a temporary certificate, enrolled in Region IV’s certification program and the rest is history! I started as a High School math teacher, became a High School Assistant Principal, and High School Associate Principal of Instruction in Alief ISD. I then became a High School Principal, Executive Principal for a feeder pattern of schools, and Executive Director of Secondary Schools in Fort Bend ISD. I returned “home” to Alief to become an Area Superintendent and now Chief of Schools. My secret has been to take a nugget from every leader I have had. My first leader was the principal at the High School where I was a substitute teacher. He led a school of 5,000 students yet every time he saw me, he asked how I was doing, was I coming back, how was my day. He taught me the simplest lesson – see people. See people at every level of the organization and they will thrive. I only wanted to substitute at his school because he made me feel valued! Why work anywhere else? My next leader was a principal I worked for that had the ability to “wrap her arms” around everyone in the building. I was inspired by the way she could get everyone moving in the right direction. My next leader had the ability to “wrap his arms” around everyone as well – while also holding people accountable with high expectations. I took all of those nuggets with me, added culture building, and have been able to build great relationships and rapport with people. All of those people have become a part of my story – creating profound impact for thousands of kids and families.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
My journey has definitely not been a smooth road, but I consider challenges an opportunity for growth. Every obstacle has shaped me into the leader I am today. One of the struggles was in my quest to become an administrator. The first time I interviewed I was nervous and did not present myself well. I was lucky enough to get feedback from an assistant superintendent and she said, “Cecilia you have to actually talk”. I was a math teacher, so I am by nature very succinct, however I took that opportunity to sharpen my interview skillset by practicing and role-playing with current administrators. I was focused and determined to meet my goal of becoming an administrator. The next year interviews came back around, and I was chosen for my first Assistant Principal position. I was excited! But I don’t know that I fully understood what the position entailed. I didn’t know that students didn’t listen to you just because you said so and I definitely didn’t know teachers didn’t necessarily teach like I did! I learned very quickly that I had to add to my toolkit in order to be effective in this role. My approach was the same as before, be resourceful, learn from others, and apply the new learning to be successful. In all aspects of my career when there was a struggle this has been my formula. I also use my experiences as a way to advise aspiring and current administrators. I strongly believe in leadership development; strong leadership transfers to strong teaching, which transfers to strong student outcomes.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I currently serve as the Chief of Schools in Alief ISD. I am responsible for the overall management of 48 schools, leading the strategic planning and implementation of the instruction programs. I am also tasked with being the Chief Innovation Officer, leading innovation efforts across the district. I have been in the Chief of Schools role for 2 years, and in that time, have led efforts to create innovative pathways on both ends of our district. On the east side of the district, I led a team to create an Advanced Curriculum pathway in Reading, Math, and Science for rising 4th and 5th graders at selected elementary schools that feed to STEM academies at the Intermediate and Middle school in their feeder pattern. We also bridged those students to an advanced curriculum in the summer with our Young Innovators Summer Academy. This academy used the National Inventors Hall of Fame curriculum which is STEM focused. One of my most proud moments was inviting a teacher, parent, and student that had engaged in the Young Innovators Summer Academy to a Board meeting. The teacher spoke about how good it felt to have freedom and creativity in her teaching again and how she felt so re-invigorated because of the program. The parent spoke about his son coming home to brag about what he had done in school and how he wanted to be an engineer as a result of the program. And the cherry on top was the student speaking about how he wanted to come to school now – because of the program. This is summer school, and a student wanted to come to school every day! That speaks volumes about the impact of the programming. We have also been able to create a Performing/Visual Arts Academy at an elementary school and have expanded the academy to include our intermediate and middle school it feeds to in the upcoming school year. I’m excited that we have a K-8 Performing/Visual Arts Pathway for our students! I think what sets me apart as a leader is that I lead with an unwavering commitment to ensuring students have opportunities that have the potential to change the trajectory of their lives. I believe strongly that exposure expands expectations, and it is my duty to create opportunities to make that happen. I am known for a lot of things but what I always rest on is IMPACT. I am known for impacting and inspiring those that are in my reach, knowing that impact will cascade to those that need it most.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
I would advise beginning in your circle. Look within your current workplace and professional organizations. My mentors have always started as immediate supervisors. I began expanding my reach once I started to join professional organizations and saw people that were in positions I aspired to. I would introduce myself and schedule time to speak with them about my goals, and I began to learn more and more about the inner workings of my field and how to navigate the politics that come along with “climbing the ladder.” I believe strongly in having a network of people that you can depend on for advice and help provide alternate scenarios for you to think about as you make decisions. I have always been taught and always share with people that your “network is your net worth.”
Contact Info:
- LinkedIn: Cecilia Crear Ed.D
- Twitter: @TheExecEFFECT
