Decades of Education Experience Brought to East Austin Public Charter

Dr Joe Gonzales joins the East Austin College Prep Academy

East Austin College Prep Academy proudly announces Dr. Joe E. Gonzales as their new Superintendent of Schools. Known in the East Austin community as “Dr. G”, Dr. Gonzales brings more than 50 years of needed experience and expertise in public school administration to East Austin College Prep as the school continues to rapidly expand its enrollment.

Developed as part of an initiative to create sustainable, positive change for the underserved Govalle/Johnston Terrace neighborhood, East Austin College Prep is a model middle school that success­fully prepares all students, regardless of economic background, for a rigorous high school curriculum, grad­uation, and ultimately success in college and career. With a 40% of the student body limited in its English proficiency, and in a community where 57% of adults over 25 years old lack a high school diploma, the need for a college preparatory academy with rigorous curriculum standards is profound. East Austin College Prep has been embraced by the community, rapidly increasing enrollment over the past three years.

As the son of migrant farm workers and a former high-school dropout, Dr. Gonzales understands the challenges facing children growing up in East Austin, and looks forward to leading East Austin College Prep as they work to change the trajectory of students in the neighborhood. “I am excited to have the opportunity to help these kids receive a level of education that has been unavailable on this side of town,” stated Dr. Gonzales. “Our task is challenging, but with the support of the community and a prescriptive teaching environment, we will change the futures of our children together”.  Dr. Gonzales will be leading East Austin College Prep Academy as the school continues to expand one grade level each school year. “Our community promise is to provide a K-12 school that far exceeds the expectations our neighborhood have come to accept for their children. If we have a student for more than four years, they will have the academic background they need to be successful in life”.

Dr. Gonzales’ decades of experience and accomplishments have been recognized by fellow educators and leaders across the nation. He was the first Hispanic Superintendent in Michigan, and has received the U.S. Department of Education’s prestigious John Stanford Hero’s award. His leadership qualities have been highlighted by NBC Nightly News and the Texas Tribune. Dr. Gonzales has been honored by the State of Texas and the City of Austin for his accomplishments in working with former dropouts and was the sole dropout recovery charter school principal to speak at the 2010 National Charter Schools Conference in Chicago.

Dr. Gonzales attributes his successful career to the values instilled in him by his parents and mentors. “I had hardworking parents who set high standards for our family and placed tremendous value on our education,” recalls Dr. Gonzales. “They set my moral compass and gave me a ‘never give up’ attitude, excellent teachers and mentors furthered my personal development by pushing me to exceed personal expectations I had for myself”.  The future for East Austin College Prep and their students is bright with Dr. Gonzales already hard at work sharing his values and vision with the next generation of disadvantaged students.

East Austin College Prep Academy: A tuition-free public charter school designed to provide a high-quality, innovative educational experience for the youth of East Austin. East Austin Prep is a model middle school that success­fully prepares all students, regardless of economic background, for a rigorous high school curriculum, grad­uation, and ultimately success in college and career.

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