About Dr. Jackson 

Dr. Walter Jackson is nationally recognized as a transformative leader whose approach to leadership underscores his dedication to improving educational opportunities and outcomes for every student. He is well respected among education leaders across Texas and beyond for his visionary perspective, turnaround leadership skill set, wealth of experience, and unwavering dedication to excellence and innovation. 

Superintendent Experience 
Following more than 20 years as a teacher and as an administrator at the campus and district levels in Alief ISD, Dr. Jackson was named as the first African American superintendent in Brenham ISD – the oldest school district in Texas. During his five years of service there, the district graduation rates and state test scores increased; he oversaw the opening of an early childhood learning center; and he developed a school district collaboration with Blinn College. In his second year in Brenham, the National School Public Relations Association listed Dr. Jackson among 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. 

He arrived in La Porte ISD in 2020, during a global pandemic and facilitated among the first returns to in-person learning in greater Houston and Texas. As was the case in Brenham, La Porte has also seen increases in graduation rates and state test scores. Developing innovative partnerships is part of Dr. Jackson’s leadership trademark and, as a result, collaborations have grown exponentially under his charge. In addition to Project Launch, a partnership with the University of Houston-Clear Lake, where fifth and sixth graders take STEM-related courses that are taught by university professors and graduate students, La Porte ISD also partners with San Jacinto College, which provides high school students the opportunity to earn a free associate degree. He also facilitated the expansion of STEM Academies to all campuses, and regularly oversees partnership development to benefit the district’s Career & Technical Education programs. 

Additionally, under his leadership, the district was named as a statewide H-E-B Excellence in Education District Finalist; six elementary schools were listed on the U.S. News and World Report ‘Best Elementary Schools’ list; Niche rated La Porte as an A- school district. 

 In 2023, Dr. Jackson's exceptional leadership was pivotal in the successful passage of a $235 million bond during a nationwide inflationary period. Despite economic challenges, he adeptly navigated budgetary concerns and garnered support from diverse stakeholders, achieving historic approval margins. 

Fiscal Responsibility and Innovation 
Dr. Jackson's leadership is marked by a dedication to fiscal responsibility and prioritizing classroom needs. His strategic fiscal management not only facilitated multiple employee pay raises but also ensured that La Porte ISD maintains a robust fund balance. Further, his vision to reignite the district’s Partners in Education program has resulted in continuous donations of valuable goods and services at all campuses by local industries, small businesses, and volunteers.  

Educational Ethos  
Dr. Jackson describes himself as a “cultural architect” and “equity warrior,” 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 is nothing impossible to the people that believe in the transformative powers of a Great God and a good education. Dr. Jackson often says “Students are afforded one time to be in school,” and he believes it is the role of professional educators to make this the most positive and impactful experience for all students. 

Vision for La Porte ISD  
As superintendent of La Porte ISD, Dr. Jackson remains dedicated to providing students with a world-class educational experience through ongoing innovation. His continuous goals include improving student achievement, expanding opportunities for creativity and exploration, and fostering a safe, collaborative learning environment. Dr. Jackson places a strong emphasis on effective communication, community involvement, and maintaining exacting standards of educational excellence. 

Professional and Service Organizations  
He currently serves as the Region 4 representative on TASA's Executive Committee, UIL Legislative Council, Texas Association of School Administrators, and 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 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. 

Education  
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 separate occasions, where he earned the university’s esteemed Professional Leadership Certificate. Jackson also earned an Advanced Management Certificate from Rice University.  

He is an alum 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. 

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 attends college, and son Braelin, who is a classroom teacher in southwest Houston. They also have one grandchild. Dr. Jackson enjoys attending local churches, community, sporting, and social events, and visiting schools to meet students and teachers on a regular schedule and playing with his poodles Ace and Coco.