PEOPLE John Chapman III Superintendent of Comal ISD
2023 EDUCATION EDITION
BY SIERRA MARTIN
John Chapman III began his role as Comal ISD superintendent in October 2022. He brings 17 years of experience as a superintendent to the district and has previously held the role at Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD, Chillicothe ISD, Comfort ISD and Ennis ISD. He discussed his ideas for the future of the district and what inspired him to work in education. This interview has been edited for length, style and clarity. For the full interview, visit www.communityimpact.com.
WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO BECOME AN EDUCATOR?
individual that wants to change a generation one soul at a time. That is just who I am. WHAT EXPERIENCES HAVE SHAPED YOUR APPROACH TO IMPROVING STUDENT OUTCOMES? Well, it’s changed over the years. When I rst got into education, I was going to change every single child and every educator that comes in. Obviously, you can’t do that. But really focusing and being intentional about who we are and what we’re about, really focusing on how do you continue to improve a school district, and how do you continue to improve every single child that walks across
the stage? Did you provide them with the equipment that they need to be successful citizens of tomorrow? WHAT STANDS OUT TO YOU ABOUT COMAL ISD? First is the people. The people are exceptional here. Without a doubt, you come into a district, and the rst thing that you’re trying to gauge is, “What is the culture? What is the environment?” This is truly a family atmosphere. We truly have solid, solid educators. And I’m very prideful of that. And I think that’s what’s going to continue to keep the success that we already have in place as we move forward.
It rst started by the educators that I had in my own experience growing up; my second-grade teacher, [I] still know her well and just how she made me feel. Building those relationships, knowing me as a human being and then obviously nurturing me through the process. Going into high school, I had coaches that did the same thing. While I was in college, I had several opportunities to look at ... doing other things. But this kept leading me back to, “Why don’t I give back to future students and what people gave to me years ago?” That’s the whole reason I went into education is to give back, to be that servant leader, to be that
John Chapman III
A LONG TENURE OF LEADERSHIP While relatively new to Comal ISD, Chapman has led several school districts over the years, including: • Chillicothe ISD • Comfort ISD • Ennis ISD • Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD
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NEW BRAUNFELS EDITION • AUGUST 2023
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