Professor of Practice
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Abelardo Saavedra was appointed superintendent of schools for the Houston Independent School District in December 2004. Dr. Saavedra joined HISD in February 2001 as the superintendent of the Southeast District. Beginning in August 2002, until his appointment as interim superintendent in June 2004, he served as the district’s executive deputy superintendent for School Support
Services. Prior to joining HISD he was the superintendent of schools in his native Corpus Christi from 1993 to 2000. He retired from HISD on August 31, 2009 and a year later he joined the faculty of Texas A&M University as a Clinical Professor of Educational Administration. In January 2014, he returned to the superintendency at South San Antonio ISD. He served as superintendent of
South San Antonio ISD until October 2018. He returned to Texas A&M University as a Professor of Practice in January 2019. In addition to his teaching duties at the university, Dr. Saavedra continues to provide consulting and contract services to various public entities, non-profits and private sector companies.
Dr. Saavedra earned his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees at Texas A&I University in 1972 and 1974, respectively, and completed his doctorate in school administration at the University of Michigan in 1976.
Dr. Saavedra’s wife, Myrna, is a former school teacher. Between them, Myrna and Abe have 4 daughters and 7 grandchildren ranging in age from 1 year to 23 years. In their free time the Saavedra’s enjoy traveling, boating and especially spending time with the grandchildren. They reside in San Antonio and Granite Shoals, TX.