Pasadena ISD Deputy Superintendent Vicki Thomas was recently presented with the International Center for Leadership in Education’s Ben Kruse Award – the organization’s top individual honor.

Thomas received the award at the International Center for Leadership in Education’s 16th Annual Conference in Orlando, Fla. The award is given to an individual who works behind the scenes in helping to increase the levels of student achievement.

“This is a great honor for Vicki and for Pasadena ISD,” said Dr. Kirk Lewis, Pasadena ISD superintendent. “Her strength in the area of curriculum has helped us transform the way we approach instruction through the Expectation Graduation initiative.”

Thomas has served as Deputy Superintendent since 2001, after serving as an associate superintendent for campus development for six years. She was principal at Thompson Intermediate School from 1989-1994 and served as the top administrator for a year at the Tegeler Career Center before moving to central office.

In helping to implement the Expectation Graduation plan, Thomas has worked closely with campus teams and administrators and the International Center for Leadership in Education. Much of the emphasis of the initiative is focusing instruction around relationships, students' interests, learning styles, and aptitudes through a variety of small learning community approaches.

“Working together, this plan will lift our schools from good to great,” she said. “Through implementing the Expecation Graduation program is has helped our curriculum to be even better aligned and, more rigorous and more relevant. It gives students an even greater path toward success.”