Letter to the Community - September 12, 2024

Dear Tolleson ESD Families & Community, 

It is with a heart full of gratitude and bittersweet reflection that I write this letter to let you know of my retirement as of December 31, 2024. I want to share with you what an incredible honor it has been to serve as the superintendent of Tolleson ESD for the past thirteen-plus years and as a team member here for sixteen years. I began teaching 28 years ago and am so thrilled that more than half of my career has been right here in this great district. Thank you, and I look forward to continuing in my role through the end of 2024.

I also want to share with you that at our governing board meeting last night, our award-winning governing board voted unanimously to appoint Ms. Gisselle Herrera as superintendent effective upon my retirement. Ms. Herrera is an extraordinary leader and presently serves as assistant superintendent. She has been with the district since 2008 and in public education since 1996. Her vast experience covers many areas in public education from classroom teaching; to curriculum and instruction, English language learners, literacy, and bilingual education; to the responsibilities supporting the superintendent. The governing board’s unanimous decision is a vote of confidence for all we are achieving together as an education community. Together we have accomplished so much, and Ms. Herrera is poised to not only continue the work but to elevate our work to the next level. With your ongoing support, there is no doubt we can stay focused and deliver on our core belief – All Children are Capable of Success—No Exceptions!

I am looking forward to working with Ms. Herrera through the remainder of the calendar year as I continue to serve as your superintendent. With the support of our entire leadership team, we will be highly focused to ensure a strong and smooth transition and to ensure our treasures, families, staff, and teachers have all they need to engage in and deliver great teaching and learning. 

The accomplishments we have celebrated give me great confidence for the future and are truly a collective effort. I outlined some of our accomplishments in my retirement letter, and I invite you to read it.

With parent-teacher conferences just around the corner on October 3 and 4, we look forward to seeing you! Parent-teacher conferences are an important example of our Strategic Plan Priority Goal 2024–2025 #4 to “Intentionally engage parents and caregivers in all aspects of teaching and learning.”

Sincerely, 

Dr. Lupita Hightower
Treasure Hunter & Superintendent
Tolleson Elementary School District