Educational Leadership
District Leader
Superintendent Xavier de la Torre, Ed.D.
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Superintendent Xavier de la Torre, Ed.D.

"Education is the civil rights issue of our time. To ensure continued economic prosperity and national security, being part of the public school system is crucial." - Xavier de la Torre, PhD

Dr. Xavier de la Torre is the Superintendent of the Ysleta Independent School District (YISD) in El Paso, Texas, and is the second-longest serving superintendent in the school district’s history. Prior to joining YISD in 2014, Xavier served as the Superintendent of Schools in the neighboring Socorro Independent School District (SISD) and as the County Superintendent of Schools with the Santa Clara County Office of Education (SCCOE).

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During his three-year tenure at SISD, Xavier emerged as a dynamic instructional leader and nationally recognized superintendent. His achievements include securing two consecutive Broad Prize award nominations (2009 and 2010) and three consecutive Texas Education Agency (TEA) Recognized District distinctions (2009, 2010, and 2011). In 2010, 37 of the 39 eligible Socorro schools were rated “Recognized” or “Exemplary” on the state of Texas Academic Excellence Indicator System (AEIS). 

As County Superintendent of Schools at the Santa Clara County Office of Education, Xavier led a regional service agency that provided leadership, instructional, student, and business services to 32 school districts and more than 270,000 students. His advocacy for universal pre-kindergarten programs led to the building of the first Educare facility in California.

Xavier began his career in education as a teacher, coach, and principal in various school districts in California before serving as the Associate Superintendent of Human Resources in the Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District, where he managed all aspects of personnel and labor relations. He then served as the Associate Superintendent of Human Resources and Chief Labor Negotiator in the Elk Grove Unified School District in Sacramento, Calif.

Xavier's educational journey is complemented by his personal background. He holds a bachelor’s degree from California State University, Chico, a master’s degree from the University of San Francisco, and a doctorate degree from the University of California, Davis. Born and raised in northern California, Xavier is married and has five beautiful children.

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Educational Leadership
District Leader
District Leader is an archived podcast about moving and inspiring educators and non-educators alike who believed in the power of education, its leaders, and its transformation. Each week, I interviewed district leaders who shared their journey and the successes and challenges they have faced along the way.