WACO, Texas — The Waco Independent School District (Waco ISD) has officially welcomed Dr. Tiffany Spicer as its new superintendent following a unanimous vote by the school board on Friday, October 4. Spicer, selected from a pool of 50+ applicants, is set to take the helm on October 15th.
Jeremy Davis, a trustee on the Waco ISD Board, expressed enthusiasm for Spicer’s appointment.
"I loved her energy, her background, her focus on academic achievement for all students, and I feel comfortable knowing she will lead our students into the next era of Waco ISD," he said.
In a one-on-one interview shortly after her selection, Dr. Spicer expressed her gratitude and excitement for her new role.
"To say that I'm excited is an understatement. I'm humbled and I'm grateful. With this responsibility comes a lot of work, and I don't take it lightly," she remarked.
Spicer brings two decades of educational administrative experience to the position, having worked in school districts ranging in size from 1,500 to 50,000 students. Waco ISD currently serves over 15,000 students, and Spicer is eager to address their diverse needs.
"The work doesn't scare me; the size doesn't scare me; the diversity doesn't scare me. That stuff intrigues me. I'm like, bring it on. Let's go to work. It will be hard, absolutely. But do our kids deserve it? Absolutely," she said.
As she steps into this leadership role, Spicer is already formulating her goals for the district. A significant focus will be on ensuring that students have more opportunities after graduation. "I want us to be the best," she asserted; emphasizing her commitment to building community relationships and engaging with families, local stakeholders, and the school board. Her vision includes enhancing opportunities for Waco ISD students in the classroom, on the field, and beyond graduation.
In terms of student safety, Dr. Spicer highlighted the importance of creating a secure environment conducive to learning.
"You cannot learn if you do not feel safe," she stated.
She plans to evaluate current systems to identify effective practices while modifying those that are not working. "We have to look at our system and see what's working well, what's not working well, and modify those things," she added.
Another pressing issue Spicer intends to address is the nationwide school staff shortages. When asked about her strategy for recruitment and retention, she acknowledged the challenges ahead.
"I'm not naïve. When January comes around, it's recruitment time, baby. We're looking to see what we can do for the following year to recruit the best for our students," she said.
As Waco ISD transitions into this new chapter under Dr. Spicer’s leadership, the community is hopeful for positive changes that will enrich the educational experience for its students. Spicer's proactive approach and commitment to collaboration with various stakeholders signal a promising future for Waco ISD.
Dr. Spicer's appointment comes at a crucial time for the district, and her diverse experience and clear vision may well guide Waco ISD toward a new era of growth and achievement.
Dr. Spicer will replace Dr. Susan Kincannon on Oct. 15.
Read more:
Watch the full one-on-one interview below:
Watch more: