Texas Border Business
PHARR, Texas – Pharr-San Juan-Alamo ISD (PSJA ISD) Alum Dr. Fernando Valle has been appointed as the Chair of the Department of Teacher Education in the College of Education at Texas Tech University in Lubbock effective June 2022.
Dr. Valle a former PSJA ISD educator, currently serves as the Interim Chair for the inaugural Department of Special Education in the College of Education at Texas Tech University.
His education journey first began in the Rio Grande Valley. He graduated from PSJA High School in 1989 and went on to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of Texas San Antonio. He received his degree in 1995, and a Master’s in Education in Counseling and Guidance in 1998, as well as a Master’s in Educational Leadership in 2001 from the University of Texas-Pan American. Most recently he earned a Doctorate Degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Texas-Pan American in 2008.
According to Dr. Valle, his family and roots are his constant motivation to always strive to make a difference and continue working hard. Prior to joining Texas Tech, Dr. Valle served as a classroom teacher at Austin Middle School in San Juan and as a Counselor and Assistant Principal at PSJA Memorial Early College High School in Alamo.
“We are standing on the shoulders of folks who cleared the way for us. When I walk into a room, I have my family on one shoulder, and the Valley, my 956, on the other,” shared Dr. Valle. “I am really blessed and really proud to always represent my community.”
As the youngest of four siblings, a migrant, and first-generation college student, the PSJA alum shared never allowing labels to define him or determine how far he would go.
“When you become a first-generation college student you also eventually become a first-generation masters and doctorate student in your family,” said Dr. Valle. “But like I always tell my team, ‘le tienes que hechar sabor a los tacos.’ We have to bring our culture into everything we do. That’s what I am proudest of, my culture just goes with me everywhere I go. I know who I am and where I come from, and I am proud of that.”
Dr. Valle has over 25 years of experience in teaching, school personnel preparation, and school-university partnerships. He is a former American Education Research Association Clark Scholar and was a Graduate Fellow and Faculty Fellow for the American Association of Hispanics in Higher Education. He is also a recipient of the President’s Excellence in Teaching Award, President’s Excellence in Diversity and Equity Award and President’s Excellence in Engaged Scholarship Award at Texas Tech University.
Despite his successes, Dr. Valle shared being a minority away from the Rio Grande Valley comes with its challenges, but he uses that as a motivation to continue breaking barriers and representing his family, community, and Latinos in academia.
“I have been the only Latino at the table many times…we think in the Valley that it’s like that everywhere and no, once you leave, the world changes. It’s a whole different ball game, but it’s definitely helped me grow,” said Dr. Valle. “The reason I have stayed is to advocate for Latino students and all of our kids. There’s a lot of students in West Texas that need that.”
As part of his role, Dr. Valle is also proud to give back to his alma mater currently serving as a Faculty Coach for the Principal Residency Program at PSJA ISD offered in partnership with Texas Tech.
The Principal Residency is funded by a Texas Education Agency grant of up to $350,000 aimed to help support five PSJA ISD staff members to become campus Principals thus helping to increase the number of well prepared, diverse instructional leaders, ready to assume campus leadership positions when they become available. PSJA ISD was among only 14 school districts in the state to receive this competitive grant.
“I get to go into the elementary and middle schools, reconnect, and leave PSJA ISD with incredible instructional leaders. It’s powerful to come full circle,” he said. “We’re very proud of the program. I am grateful for the opportunity to bring a state and nationally recognized program to PSJA ISD.”
Dr. Valle’s areas of expertise include instructional coaching as well as Latino, instructional, and competency-based leadership. He will begin serving in his new role as the Chair of the Department of Teacher Education in the College of Education at Texas Tech University effective June 1, 2022.
About Dr. Fernando Valle
Professor Valle is currently the Interim Chair for the inaugural Department of Special Education in the College of Education at Texas Tech University. Previously, he served as Educational Leadership Program Coordinator and Federal and State Grant Director. He led over $12 million in i3 Innovation, Supporting Effective Educator Development Federal Grants and continues to lead Implementation Cycles of the Texas Education Agency Principal Residency district to university partnership grants across Texas. He is a former American Education Research Association Clark Scholar, American Association of Hispanic in Higher Education (AAHHE) Graduate and Faculty Fellow, and recipient of the President’s Excellence in Teaching and President’s Excellence in Diversity and Equity Awards.
Dr. Valle’s research focuses on leadership development through social justice, equity, and critical lenses to prepare the next generation of executive, school, and community leaders. His research represents advocacy and action for marginalized and oppressed populations in communities and schools. Publications and national presentations document the development of Educational Leaders and The Latinx Principal Pipeline and implementing culturally relevant school leadership practices. He remains active in research, teaching, and scholarship advising and graduating/advising doctoral students, collaborating with national and state leadership organizations, and serving on leadership and education advisory boards.
Dr. Valle received a B.S. degree from UTSA in 1995, a Master’s in Counseling in 1998, and was awarded a Doctoral degree in Educational Leadership in 2008 from The University of Texas at Pan American (currently UTRGV) in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas. Dr. Valle has professional educator experience serving communities along the U.S.-Mexico border as a middle school teacher, a middle and high school counselor, and high school administrator. Dr. Valle came to Texas Tech University is 2008 and continues to collaborate with scholars nationally and internationally to serve as a faculty mentor and develop future leaders. He currently serves as a consultant on leadership development and school improvement with Educational Service Centers and School Districts across Texas.
