Bryan ISD Leader Ginger Carrabine Honored as TASB’s 2026 Superintendent of the Year

Ginger Carrabine of Bryan ISD was named Superintendent of the Year by the Texas Association of School Boards on Oct. 10 at txEDCON, the largest gathering of public education leaders in Texas.

Carrabine, whose district is in Region 6, was selected for the top honor from a group of five state finalists: Roland Hernandez, Corpus Christi ISD, Region 2; Tory Hill, Channelview ISD, Region 4; Casey Adams, Woodson ISD, Region 9; and Michelle Rinehart, Alpine ISD, Region 18.

The TASB Member Services Committee selected Carrabine for the award, citing her authenticity, humility and deep sense of calling to public education, reflected in the way she sees herself in her students and her unwavering commitment to their success.

"Each year, the Superintendent of the Year award puts the focus on outstanding district leaders who make a significant difference in the lives of the public school students they serve," said Quinton "Q" Phillips of Fort Worth ISD, who chaired this year's TASB state selection committee. "All the finalists demonstrated talent and devotion to serving their communities, making the selection process even more challenging."

He noted that the committee was especially impressed by Carrabine's dedication to fostering community engagement and maintaining a focus on student success.

"Each of these superintendents has gracefully taken on challenges to ensure Texas public school students have access to opportunities that allow them to thrive and achieve at the highest levels," he said. "They deserve to be commended for their work."

Sponsored by TASB and underwritten by Balfour, the SOTY program has recognized exemplary superintendents for excellence and achievement in educational leadership since 1984.

Candidates are chosen for their strong leadership skills, dedication to improving educational quality, ability to build effective employee relations, support for student performance and commitment to public involvement in education. The district of the SOTY winner receives a $5,000 check, and the superintendent receives a custom ring. Each finalist's district receives $1,000, also provided by Balfour.

Carrabine has served as superintendent of Bryan ISD since 2022. The district serves more than 15,000 students and borders College Station. She holds a master's degree in education from the University of Houston and a bachelor's degree in criminal justice and sociology from Lamar University. Before becoming Bryan ISD superintendent, she served as deputy superintendent and chief of staff there. Previously, she worked in Fort Bend ISD, where she held administrative and teaching roles.

In remarks before an audience of hundreds at txEDCON, Carrabine said she was honored and humbled to be named Superintendent of the Year and thanked the TASB selection committee for the recognition. She also expressed appreciation for the support of her Bryan ISD board, the school district community, and her family.

In accepting the award, she quoted Nobel Peace Prize winner Nelson Mandela, who called education the greatest equalizer. She thanked all of those who helped her along her journey, especially her mentors and her teachers. She noted she was the first daughter in her family to graduate high school and go on to a Texas public university.

"They opened doors for me. They created opportunities for me," she said. "They instilled the resilience, the determination and the courage to overcome the obstacles in my life, to break a few barriers along the way, and they inspired me to become a schoolteacher."

She encouraged the audience to remember their why and fight in support of all Texas public schoolchildren. "Let's teach our kids, love our kids, prepare our kids for futures beyond their imagination."

The Superintendent of the Year selection culminates a nine-month process that begins in January, when school boards across the state prepare superintendent nominations that must be approved by resolution. Recommended superintendents are then interviewed by regional selection committees from each Texas education service center, which announce their regional finalists in June. Each regional finalist is then interviewed by the state selection committee, which narrows the pool to five state finalists announced in August.

The naming of the Superintendent of the Year is a highlight of txEDCON, held each fall to promote excellence in Texas public education.

"The success of Texas' 5.4 million public school students starts with leaders who believe deeply in public education and in the potential of every student," said TASB Executive Director Gary VanDeaver. "Ginger Carrabine and this year's finalists show what excellent district leadership looks like, working alongside their boards and communities to create opportunities for students and strengthen public schools across Texas."

This year's regional superintendents of the year, in order of ESC, are listed below:

• Region 1: Carlos M. Gonzalez Jr., Roma ISD
• Region 2: Roland Hernandez, Corpus Christi ISD
• Region 3: Calvin Bowers, Kenedy ISD
• Region 4: Tory C. Hill, Channelview ISD
• Region 5: Dwaine Augustine, Hamshire-Fannett ISD
• Region 7: Keri Hampton, Brownsboro ISD
• Region 8: Bobby Rice, Harts Bluff ISD
• Region 9: Casey Adams, Woodson ISD
• Region 10: Ángel Rivera, Mesquite ISD
• Region 11: Ricky Stephens, Keene ISD
• Region 12: John Bullion, Morgan ISD
• Region 13: Holly Morris-Kuentz, Dripping Springs ISD
• Region 16: Monty Hysinger, Dumas ISD
• Region 17: Chris Wade, Smyer ISD
• Region 18: Michelle Rinehart, Alpine ISD
• Region 20: Roland Toscano, East Central ISD