By David Taylor Managing Editor
WASHINGTON — Aldine ISD Superintendent Dr. LaTonya M. Goffney was installed July 7 as the 2026-27 president of American Association of School Administrators, The School Superintendents Association, a national organization representing more than 13,000 school system leaders.
The installation took place during AASA’s Legislative Advocacy Conference in Washington. Goffney will serve in the volunteer leadership role while continuing to lead Aldine ISD.
Goffney’s installation marks a national leadership milestone for the Aldine superintendent, who was elected president-elect by AASA’s Governing Board in 2025 and has served on the organization’s Executive Committee. She also served as president of the Texas Association of School Administrators during the 2023-24 school year.
The ceremony featured remarks from Aldine ISD Board of Trustees President Dr. Kimberley Booker and La Porte ISD Superintendent Dr. Walter Jackson, who reflected on Goffney’s leadership, commitment to public education and service to students.
“Those of us who work alongside Dr. Goffney see every day that her leadership is grounded in service, hope and an unwavering belief in the potential of every child,” Chief Communications Officer Sheila Adams said. “Her installation as AASA president is a well-deserved national honor, and we are proud that Dr. Goffney will continue leading Aldine ISD while helping advance the future of public education across the nation.”
Goffney said the role is both an honor and an opportunity to serve public education nationally.
“This is an incredible honor, but more importantly, it is an opportunity to serve,” Goffney said. “Public education is one of the most powerful promises we make to children, families and communities. Every child deserves access to outstanding educators, meaningful opportunities and a future filled with possibility.”
She said her national work will remain connected to Aldine ISD.
“I am honored to serve AASA and to stand alongside superintendents across the country as champions for public education,” Goffney said. “That work is national, but it is also deeply personal. I carry Aldine with me — our students, our families, our educators and our unwavering belief that hope is not just something we talk about. It is something we build every day.”
Goffney’s presidency comes as AASA advances The Public Education Promise, a national framework focused on ensuring every child in every community has access to a future- ready education that prepares students for college, career, citizenship and life. The initiative emphasizes student-centered learning, effective educators, community partnerships and meaningful measures of student success.
Aldine ISD officials said the framework reflects work already underway in the district, where students have access to specialized campuses, magnet programs, career and technical education pathways, early college opportunities, leadership experiences and other innovative learning environments.
“In Aldine ISD, we believe every student deserves access to opportunities that reflect their unique strengths, interests and goals,” Goffney said. “Our responsibility is to ensure every child is seen, supported, challenged and empowered to succeed. When we fulfill that promise, we strengthen not only our schools, but also our communities.” The theme of Goffney’s installation reception was “Champions for Public Education,” with the letters in “hope” emphasized throughout the event.
The theme reflected a message Goffney has shared throughout her career about the role educators play in creating hope and opportunity for students, families and communities.
Family members, colleagues and education leaders from across the country attended the installation. Aldine ISD representatives included Booker; Adams; Angela Williams, assistant secretary of the Board of Trustees; Dr. Dawn Ayers-Rodríguez, chief of accountability, assessment and analytics; Abel Garza, assistant superintendent of government relations and constituent services; former Chief Transformation Officer Dr. Adrian Bustillos; and Chassity K. Coston, a Doctor of Education Leadership candidate at the Harvard Graduate School of Education completing a 10-month leadership residency in Aldine ISD.
Aldine ISD students participating in the Aldine Votes Close Up Washington program also attended, giving them a firsthand look at educational leadership and civic engagement on a national stage. AASA was founded in 1865 and advocates for public education while supporting and developing school system leaders dedicated to ensuring every student has access to an excellent public education.
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