Superintendent
Phone: 281.604.7015
As Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Jackson oversees the daily operations and the long-range strategic planning of the school district, working directly with school leaders, district staff, and the school board in order to ensure: the advancement of the district vision and strategic framework; fiscal responsibility, including preparation and adoption of annual budget; development and implementation of policy; district management of day-to-day operations and decisions; quality stakeholder communication and public relations; and the development of student-focused performance goals.
The superintendent has administrative leadership and oversight of:
Dr. Jackson holds a bachelor’s degree from Texas Southern University, a Master of Education in Administration from Prairie View A&M University, and a Doctor of Education from Baylor University. His post-graduate studies have taken him to the Harvard Graduate School of Education on four different occasions, where he earned the university’s esteemed Professional Leadership Certificate. Jackson also earned an Advanced Management Certificate from Rice University.
Dr. Jackson is an alumnus of Education Class III of the American Leadership Forum Houston-Galveston Chapter. He is a member of the 2012 class of Leadership Houston and is also a graduate of the National SUPES Academy, a Chicago-based superintendent preparation program. Jackson has additionally completed the Thompson Executive Leadership Institute through the Region 13 Service Center.
In February 2020, Dr. Jackson was selected as one of only 20 U.S. recipients to receive the prestigious Fulbright International Fellowship to travel to Singapore as a Fulbright Scholar. This Fellowship was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic, but Jackson was able to resume his Fulbright Fellowship research in the summer of 2022, when he spent two weeks in Singapore intensely studying its public education system.
A passionate lifelong learner, Dr. Jackson’s love of learning and leading has also supported his travels to learn and research international school systems such as: China, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Austria, Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands.
Dr. Walter Jackson has served in public education for 30 years; he has served as a teacher, assistant principal, middle and high school principal, area superintendent, and currently superintendent of schools in La Porte ISD.
He is the first African American superintendent in the 100-plus year history of La Porte ISD. Jackson held the same distinction for five years in his previous superintendent role in Brenham — the oldest school district in Texas.
Dr. Jackson has an impressive history of exemplary public school leadership, In 2009, he was named the Region 4 High School Principal of the Year. The National School Public Relations Association in 2017 named him one of 20 Superintendents to Watch in the nation. In 2019, he was named as the Region 6 Superintendent of the Year and was a finalist for TASB’s State Superintendent of the Year.
Prior to leading Brenham ISD, Dr. Jackson worked in Alief ISD for 21 years as a teacher, principal, and area superintendent.
Dr. Jackson has taught master’s and doctoral courses for the University of Houston, University of Houston-Clear Lake, and has served as a field advisor and executive leadership coach for Rice University graduate students. An articulate and gifted public speaker, he has served as lecturer and presenter on key education topics at both state and national conferences.
He currently serves as the Region 4 representative on TASA's Executive Committee, is on the board of directors of the TASB Risk Management Fund, UIL Legislative Council, Texas Association of School Administrators, and also serves on the Governing Board of AASA, The School Superintendent’s Association.
Dr. Jackson is a Rotarian Paul Harris Fellow, and a member of the the La Porte Rotary Club )which selected him as the 2021 Rotarian of the Year), La Porte-Bayshore Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, La Porte Education Foundation, Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership Board and the Holdsworth Center's Leadership Cohort.
Educational Philosophy
Dr. Jackson describes himself as a “cultural strategist” and “education evangelist,” always seeking to create opportunities for students to take advantage of the public education system while pursuing the American Dream. He strongly believes that a child’s destiny is not determined by zip code, and that there’s nothing impossible to the people that believe in the transformative powers of a Great God and a good education. Students are afforded one time to be in school. Dr. Jackson believes it is the role of professional educators to make this the most positive and impactful experience for all students.
Personal
Dr. Jackson and his wife Tanya have been married for 28 years, and are the proud parents of daughter Bailey, a 2023 La Porte High School graduate who is a college freshman, and son Braelin, who is a classroom teacher in the Greater Houston area. Dr. Jackson enjoys attending local churches, community, sporting and social events, and visiting schools to meet students and teachers on a regular schedule.
Deputy Superintendent, Administration & Support Services
Phone: 281.604.7021
As the deputy superintendent of administration and support services, Dr. Bromley oversees all aspects of operations in La Porte ISD including
Dr. Bromley holds a Bachelor of Science from Oklahoma State University, a Master’s in Administration from Lamar University, and a Doctor of Education from Lamar University. Dr. Bromley has been in education for 16 years serving as a teacher, coach, assistant principal, middle school principal, high school principal, and in executive leadership.
Prior to his position as Deputy Superintendent for La Porte ISD, Dr. Bromley was the Executive Director of Operations for Crosby ISD. A native of Coffeyville, Kansas, Dr. Bromley began his career as a teacher/coach at North Shore Senior High School and then transitioned to Galena Park High School as an assistant principal in the Galena Park Independent School District. After his time at GPISD, he served as the campus principal of Crosby Middle School, Crosby High School, and later shifted into an executive leadership role for Crosby ISD.
Motivational, inspiring, and passionate are three words that define Dr. Bromley’s leadership personality. His expertise lies in successfully developing and implementing new processes, significantly expanding current practices, and managing all programs to maximize efficiency and realize consistent growth. Through experience he has become adept in overseeing a full range of operational responsibilities—including transportation, maintenance and facilities, safety and security, nutrition, construction, student services, and parent engagement.
Dr. Bromley and his wife Erin have been married for 15 years. Together, they are parents of three children. Owen, who is a second grader, Liam, who is in Kindergarten at Heritage Elementary, and Blake Elizabeth who is attending the early childhood center in La Porte ISD.
Deputy Superintendent, Academics
Phone: 281.604.7025
As the deputy superintendent of academics, Mrs. Abram oversees the following in La Porte ISD
Mrs. Abram holds a Bachelor of Art from Western Michigan University and a Master of Science from the University of Houston-Clear Lake. She has been a district instructional leader since 2008, serving in Clear Creek, Dickinson and La Porte ISD.
Mrs. Abram has a diverse amount of experience in curriculum development, professional learning, instructional design, assessment and accountability, and special programs positions. She has a proven track record of program evaluation, strategic planning, implementing key initiatives, and monitoring effectiveness. Through her previous efforts in La Porte ISD as the executive director of teaching and learning, student achievement increased, opportunities for students expanded, and the district developed and implemented systems to ensure continued improvements and success.
Chief Financial Officer
Phone: 281.604.7062
As CFO, Ms. McDowell oversees the Business and Human Resources operations for the district. She is responsible for the day-to-day management of the cash flows, payments and financial reporting and the communication of our fiscal status to the Board of Trustees. The fiscal health of our district is a top priority, as well as hiring the best and most qualified employees to teach our students.
The CFO has the financial oversight of:
Ms. McDowell is a cum laude graduate from the University of Houston with a BBA in Business Administration – Accounting. She has been a Registered Texas School Business Administrator (RTSBA) with TASBO for the past 11 years, and regularly attends conferences and classes to increase her knowledge of school finance.
Ms. McDowell is a proud La Porte ISD graduate. She was a student at Jennie Reid Elementary, Rizzuto Elementary, Baker Junior High and La Porte High School.
Prior to her position as Chief Financial Officer for La Porte ISD, Ms. McDowell was the Director of Finance at Deer Park ISD for 17 years. Ms. McDowell also worked as an Oil & Gas Accountant for Exxon Mobil for 7 years after graduating from the University of Houston. While an Undergraduate, she completed two internships for Exxon in their Production and Research and Revenue Accounting divisions.
Ms. McDowell is described as an efficient and trustworthy team member who works diligently to seek the information needed to make the best financial decisions for the district. She has the utmost respect for public educators and believes that they are the true heroes of our community. As a student of La Porte ISD, she was the product of the wonderful teachers who she remembers fondly.
Ms. McDowell and her husband, Mike, have been married for 23 years. Together, they are the parents of three children. William is a senior at the University of Texas at Austin studying Mechanical Engineering. Their daughter, Micah, is a sophomore at the University of Texas at Austin studying science and film production. Their youngest son, Jude, is a freshman in high school. Ms. McDowell spends her time attending concerts, travelling with her family, hiking in national parks, attending her youngest son’s baseball games and enjoying her two dogs.