Superintendent Efren Yturralde has served the Gadsden District since August, 2002.  He began his career in education in 1970 in El Paso, Texas as an elementary classroom teacher.  He has also served as a middle school and high school principal and retired after 31 years of service.  Since coming to Gadsden ISD,   Mr. Yturralde has served as principal of Desert Pride Academy, Interim Superintendent, and Deputy Superintendent.

After the retirement of his predecessor, Dr. Cynthia Nava, was appointed by the Gadsden School Board to the position of Superintendent.  Mr. Yturralde brings a wealth of knowledge to our district with his 41 years of experience in education.  His leadership has proven to be exemplary in the area of graduating 783 students who might never have graduated from high school if not for the opportunity provided by Mr. Yturralde at Desert Pride.  His passion for students and the families of this district extend beyond his duties as an educator.

Mr. Yturralde earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Texas at El Paso with a Bachelor’s of Science in Elementary Education.  Mr. Yturralde earned his Master’s in Education and Mid-Management in Supervision at Sul Ross University in Alpine, Texas.

Superintendent Yturralde is proud of the staff, teachers, and administrators for their support to improve student achievement in the classroom.  Indicators show the district is moving in the right direction with student proficiencies in Math and Reading on the rise.  Our District’s Math scores on the SBA have exceeded the state averages over the last several years.   The District has received a $400,000 grant to enhance Mathematics in the classroom through technology.  Each middle school student in the district has received a netbook computer through which to receive their math instruction.

We have a model bilingual department that supports dual language programs in each region of the district as well as successful traditional models. We are requiring all certified instructors in elementary, middle and high schools who are teaching reading, math, science, social studies, and language arts to get either bilingual certification or an endorsement in the teaching of English to speakers of a second language (TESOL).

We are looking to enhance the rigor of instruction in our secondary schools by implementing the High Schools That Work philosophy of teaching so our graduates can meet the challenges of post-secondary education with ease.

The Gadsden Independent School District’s School Board is a visionary one, and with Mr. Yturralde’s progressive philosophy, there is no doubt GISD will continue to be one of the leading Districts in the State.

Efren Yturralde,

Superintendent of Schools