Crowley ISD Connections Magazine Fall 2017 | Page 14

Casting a Vision
Crowley ISD Connections had the opportunity to sit down with the
new Superintendent for Crowley ISD, Dr. Michael McFarland
WHY DID YOU BECOME AN EDUCATOR?
McFarland: “My mom was an educator. I come from
a family of educators. As I look back through my life,
everybody who was really important to me and who
helped me see I could become more than I was at that
time, they were educators. I understood the power that
education has to change a person’s life. I wanted to be
able to be that type of person to someone else. That’s why
I chose to be an educator.”
WHAT ATTRACTED YOU TO CROWLEY ISD?
McFarland: “Crowley ISD is a gem. It’s an outstanding
school district with a tradition of excellence. It has great
diversity. Diversity to me represents the opportunity
for America. Crowley is really a microcosm of the state
of Texas as well as the nation. Looking at what’s been
done here in Crowley and the potential Crowley has to
really be a model to the state, I felt like this would be an
awesome place to be. The growth and all the innovative
programs that are occurring here already just makes this
place a gem. I believe it’s a secret that will be discovered
soon.”
14 CROWLEY ISD CONNECTIONS | Fall 2017
YOU’RE MAKING IT A PRIORITY TO MEET
CROWLEY ISD EDUCATORS, STUDENTS AND
COMMUNITY MEMBERS - WHAT ARE YOU
LEARNING FROM THEM?
McFarland: “One of the things I’m learning is that
this place has some awesome people. Any organization,
any system, is simply an idea that is made up of really
good people. Really having the opportunity to talk to
the people, understand what their aspirations are, I’m
hearing over and over again this desire to make Crowley
a model district. That desire is really the starting point.
I believe the resources are here. I believe that we have
the will. Now, my job is to work with the people to make
sure we put systems in place and programs in place to be
able to deliver on these aspirations.
I’m hearing a sense of hopefulness. I’m hearing that
people want to do better, and they believe that all
kids can do better, and so I want to be a part of that.
I’m excited about that and hearing that over and over
again as I meet with teachers, principals and even with
students. They want the best. I’m excited about being a
part of an organization that truly wants to be the best.”