Dr. John Folks, one of Texas’ most respected and beloved educators, devoted more than 40 years of his life to public education as a teacher, administrator, and statewide advocate for students.
Before his 10-year tenure as Superintendent of Northside ISD, Dr. Folks served as Oklahoma State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Dean of the School of Education at Southwestern Oklahoma State University, Superintendent of the Midwest City-Del City Public Schools in suburban Oklahoma, and Superintendent of Spring ISD near Houston.
Dr. Folks joined Northside ISD in 2002, and during his 10-year tenure, the District racked up numerous honors, all while facing enormous enrollment growth and serious financial challenges. In 2005, Northside was the first district in the state to receive the HEB Excellence in Education Award, and in 2007, NISD was one of five finalists in the nation for the Broad Prize, the Nobel Prize of education.
Dr. Folks’ most personal achievement came in 2011 when he was named Texas Superintendent of the Year by the Texas Association of School Boards for his statewide leadership and his unwavering and vocal support of Texas public education.
Dr. Folks retired in 2012 and currently is a senior lecturer in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies at the University of Texas at San Antonio.
