Superintendent

Dr. Stephanie D. Howard

Dr. Stephanie D. Howard is a career educator currently in her 32nd year in the profession and is beginning her fourth year as the Midland ISD Superintendent of Schools. Midland ISD serves students Pre-K4 through 12 on 39 campuses. During her first three and a half years back in the district, Dr. Howard led the development and launch of Midland ISD’s strategic plan in August 2023. The plan has guided intentional initiatives focused on three priorities: Student Experience, Grow & Develop Staff, and Engage & Act. As the District enters year four of implementation of this plan, Dr. Howard is proud of the accomplishments realized thus far. Since returning to the district, Dr. Howard has led the team to increase the number of A and B campuses from seven to 14, reduced the number of D and F campuses from 16 to nine, and went from nine F campuses. These improvements in accountability ratings aligns with Dr. Howard’s belief and expectation that every student has the opportunity to attend a quality school. A strong focus was placed on early literacy and consistent ELAR curriculum resources and phonics-based instruction, leading to gains in K-2 reading on grade level from 56% to 67%. The district now has consistent instructional resources for math which has led to greater instructional coherence, stronger implementation of the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS), and more equitable learning experiences for students across all campuses. With a renewed focus on advanced academics, Midland ISD has continued to expand opportunities and improve outcomes for students. The percentage of Advanced Placement (AP) exams earning a score of 3 or higher has increased from 29% to 50%, reflecting steady growth in student achievement. In 2026, Midland ISD students took 4,064 AP exams, with 1,463 students potentially earning college credit through scores of 3, 4, or 5. Additionally, the district increased the number of AP Scholars from 344 in 2025 to 420 in 2026 and proudly celebrated three National Merit Finalists in 2024, marking the first time the district had achieved this recognition since 2020 prior to Dr. Howard’s return to Midland ISD. These accomplishments reflect the hard work of students, the dedication of exceptional teachers, and Midland ISD's ongoing commitment to strengthening teaching and learning. By raising expectations on campuses and reinforcing a culture of excellence, the district has reduced mutual combat incidents by 30% since the 2022-2023 school year, contributing to a safer and more positive school climate. In addition to advancing academic and cultural initiatives, the district gained community support for a $1.4 billion bond in November 2023. The bond will transform the district by supporting grade reconfiguration, including the construction of two new high schools serving grades 9-12, the transition to 6^th – 8^th grade middle schools, and the expansion of elementary schools to serve students in Pre-K through 5th grade. In 2026, the district celebrated major construction milestones with topping-out ceremonies at both new high school campuses, marking the placement of the final structural steel beams. Lone Star Trails Elementary opened in August 2025 on time and $10 million under budget. To date, all bond projects remain on schedule and within budget. 

Prior to joining the team in Midland ISD, she served as the superintendent in Crane ISD, where the district improved from a D rating in 2019 to a B rating (85) in 2022. She also was the deputy superintendent for Ector County ISD, where she led the following divisions and departments: Leadership Division (overall schools), Human Capital (Human Resources and Talent Development), District Operations, and Athletics. Prior to returning to ECISD in 2018, she was the superintendent in Plains ISD. Before being selected as the superintendent for Plains ISD, she served as the Executive Director for Curriculum and Instruction in Ector County ISD. In this position, Dr. Howard oversaw the curriculum and instruction components of the district for students in grades Pre-K through 12 in math, science, and languages other than English. She also supervised the 38 instructional coaches. 

Dr. Howard served as a high school principal at Robert E. Lee High School (now known as Midland Lee) for six years before moving into district administration. Lee High School served approximately 2,100 students in grades 10-12. During her time at Lee High School, the school celebrated its 50^th anniversary. Dr. Howard worked with the PTA, community members, and alumni to begin the Legacy Wall of Honor as part of the 50^th anniversary. She worked with this group to seek nominations, select, and induct two classes of recipients. In the first class of inductees, Dr. Howard had the opportunity to induct and meet former First Lady Laura Bush, General Tommy Franks, and former Railroad Commissioner and Commissioner of Education for the State of Texas, Michael Williams. For the 50^th graduation ceremony, Dr. Howard was able to secure Mrs. Laura Bush as the keynote speaker. While at Lee High School, Dr. Howard had the opportunity to work with the faculty through the High Schools that Work grant funded by the Southern Regional Education Board. This grant allowed the faculty, staff, and administration to further promote high academic standards through engaging instructional practices, quality instruction, career and technical education programs, and standards-based grading practices. 

Prior to the high school principal position, Stephanie was the principal at San Jacinto Junior High School for three years. She served as an instructional services director and assistant principal for four years before she became a principal. The first year in Midland ISD, Stephanie taught communication courses at Midland High School and coached the debate team. Before moving to Midland to pursue a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership, Stephanie taught English and communications, coached cross country, basketball, track, and served as the high school cheer sponsor in Stanton. 

Dr. Howard serves on the Texas Association of School Administrators Legislative Committee and the Texas School Alliance’s legislative committee. She serves on the board for the Texas School Coalition and is an advisory board member for the Texas Tech University Texas Fellowship, a statewide leadership development program focused on developing education leaders, shaping policy, and strengthening Texas public education. Dr. Howard also serves as a representative for Region 18 in the West Texas Safety Sector. In 2023, Dr. Howard was named a Trailblazer for Angelo State University, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree. In 2020, Stephanie was selected for and participated in the DA Superintendent’s Seminar. She was recognized as the High School Principal of the Year and High School Assistant Principal of the Year for Region 18 by the Texas Association of Secondary School Principals. She served on the Board of Directors for the Texas Association of Secondary School Principals (TASSP) for eight years prior to moving into district administration. Due to her commitment to supporting teachers, she received the honor of Midland Classroom Teacher Association Administrator of the Year award in 2007. Dr. Howard was the recipient of the PTA Life Membership Award while serving as the principal at San Jacinto Junior High in Midland. 

Dr. Howard earned her Doctoral Degree from the University of Texas San Antonio in May 2014. She earned a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Texas of the Permian Basin and holds a principal and superintendent certification in the State of Texas. She received her Bachelor of Arts in English and communications from Angelo State University in San Angelo, Texas in 1995. 

While Dr. Howard has spent the majority of her time in large school districts, it is her small-town upbringing where she learned the value of hard work, the importance of relationships and teamwork, and the impact of community involvement on the success of schools. Stephanie grew up watching her dad work in education for over 36 years as a teacher, coach, and athletic director, and her mom worked at the schools as a custodian, in the cafeteria, and driving buses. Stephanie attended kindergarten in Blackwell before moving to Robert Lee where she attended first grade through high school graduation. She and her husband, James, have been married 33 years and have two daughters.