North Texas superintendent joins national effort to keep students safe, educated

After being named Mansfield school district superintendent in December, Dr. Kimberley Cantu is now joining other superintendents across America in answering the call to keep students safe and educated during the coronavirus pandemic.

Cantu has been chosen to be part of the School Superintendents Association (SSA) COVID-19 Recovery Task Force.

The American Association of School Administrators (AASA), the governing body for the SSA, launched the advisory panel to provide assistance to district leaders as they grapple with challenges caused by the the shutdown of thousands of schools across the United States.

“It has definitely been an incredible experience so far. You can’t really plan for this, but we have truly figured out how to plan through it,” Cantu said of her trial-by-fire experience so early into the job. “I think experiences like this are opportunities to solve problems, think critically, and plan strategically while getting to focus on providing the most caring and nurturing experience we can for our students, families, and staff — at a time they need it more than ever.

“It is exciting, challenging, and I feel like I grow more every day.”

Cantu is one of only two superintendents from Texas chosen for the task force, the other being Dallas school district Superintendent Michael Hinojosa.

“I was humbled and honored,” Cantu said. “School districts nationwide are working together in incredible new ways to support students and families while continually rethinking and reinventing learning during this time,” Cantu said.

“We are all in this together, and the task force is a unified resource that will help other school leaders all over the country.”

In an email to Cantu, AASA executive director Dan Domenech said he considered those he was inviting to the task force to be “outstanding and thoughtful leaders,” she said.

“This is such an exceptional time, I don’t think there is anything to which it can actually be compared,” Cantu said. “However, I do think at times in life there are moments, time periods and experiences that provide the chance for everyone to pause and reflect on what really matters.”

The panel’s first agenda item will focus on reopening schools effectively. Topics will include student/staff safety, and online instruction and learning.