CISD: Everything We Do

I am honored to serve as Superintendent of Schools at Cleveland ISD. The opportunity has exceeded every expectation I had thus far, and I’m extremely grateful to call Cleveland “home”.

I began my employment with CISD in May 2019, and I couldn’t be more pleased to be a part of this fastgrowth district. At Cleveland ISD, academic achievement is a priority and the primary focus of our educational work. As such, the dedicated staff and administrative team remain focused on meeting the needs of EVERY student. We work diligently to implement effective teaching strategies and current trends in education because we are committed to the success of our students.

In my capacity as Superintendent, I am reminded of a science experiment when I was in 5th grade. My teacher captured the imagination of our entire class during a lab lesson on volume, and that day still resonates with me. She brought in a large glass vase and placed it where we all had a clear view of what was about to happen. The vase had a large opening at the top, and she began to place large rocks into the vase until it was filled to the top.

Then she asked a simple question, “How many of you think the vase is full?” We all raised our hands because there was simply no way another rock would fit in that vase. She reached into a drawer and pulled out a bag of small pebbles and began to pour those pebbles into the vase. Occasionally, she would shake the vase, and the pebbles would filter down. To our surprise, the entire bag of pebbles fit into the vase that we all thought was full.

She asked the same question, and we all raised our hands again because there was no way another pebble would have fit into the vase. She reached back into the drawer and pulled out a bag of sand and began to pour sand into the vase and continued until sand reached the top of the vase.

We were mesmerized! But there was no way anything else was going to fit in that vase. It was completely full ... at least we thought it was. She reached back into that drawer one more time and pulled out a pitcher of water and began to pour water into the vase. I guess she had premeasured because she kept pouring until all of the water was in the vase, and THEN the vase was full!

That science experiment reminds me of the responsibilities we have in education. There are always additional teaching moments and learning opportunities! While we are responsible for providing curriculum and instruction to our students (rocks), we are also compelled to help mold their character and personality (pebbles). Providing a safe, nurturing atmosphere (sand) is also important to the learning process. These are just a few of the key components required in a successful educational environment. The CISD motto ... “EVERY decision we make and EVERYTHING we do ... is #JUST4KIDS.” Not only is this the administrative motto, it’s what we live by! After all, there’s truly nothing more rewarding that being a part of, and watching a child succeed.

Mr. Chris Trotter currently serves as Superintendent of Schools at Cleveland ISD, a fast-growth school district which serves approximately 10,000 students. He is a fifth-generation educator with roots in Liberty County, where he attended elementary school in Dayton and Hardin public schools. His father, Raymond Trotter, was Superintendent of Schools at Hardin ISD for a number of years before the family moved to Winnsboro.

Chris earned his undergraduate degree and math certification at Texas A & M University. He began his career in public education 30 years ago in Haltom City, Texas at Birdville ISD, where he taught math and coached. Subsequent teaching and administrative positions were for R.L. Turner High School in CarrolltonFarmers Branch ISD, L.D. Bell High School in Hurst-Euless- Bedford ISD, Denison High School in Denison ISD, Creekview High School in CarrolltonFarmers Branch ISD, Smithson Valley High School in San Antonio ISD, and Chief Administrative Officer at Tomball ISD.

In his position at Tomball ISD, Mr. Trotter had an opportunity to be involved in a fast-growth school district that faced some of the challenges Cleveland ISD now faces. This experience has been invaluable in his current position at CISD. Chris is a strong advocate for children and public education. “I am excited to serve in such a strong community that values education. I truly believe we all share a common goal ... to successfully educate students and elevate Cleveland ISD to a premier school district in the State of Texas.”

Mr. Trotter is married to Rachel Trotter, an administrator at Klein ISD. The Trotters have two children, Kaylee and Ian. Kaylee is a teacher at Conroe ISD and Ian is a junior at Sam Houston State University.