Denton ISD Announces First Female Superintendent, Dr. Susannah O’Bara
The Denton Independent School District Board of Trustees came to the unanimous decision during their regularly scheduled June 18 board meeting that Dr. Susannah O’Bara would take over as acting superintendent after Dr. Jamie Wilson announced his retirement. O’Bara previously led the district as the former deputy superintendent.
In its 142 years as a school district, Denton ISD has been committed to upholding its mission of instilling in students a lifelong love for learning and fostering an environment of community in their schools. From her new position, O’Bara hopes to continue to exemplify these values.
O’Bara is a longtime resident of the district, both earning her undergraduate and graduate degrees in the area before pursuing a career in education, assuming many roles in the system over the years.
“I’ve been here my whole life. I was a student, I grew up in Denton ISD.” O’Bara said.
She described her long history with the district as a factor that helps her understand its needs and goals.
“All of those stages, from student to teacher to campus administrator, have helped me understand exactly why we do what we do as a system,” O’Bara said. “I became a teacher because I truly wanted to influence my class of students. I really wanted to help set them up for success, connect with them, and help them learn what they needed to learn and be ready for the next grade so they would be successful in life.”
O’Bara started her career as a classroom teacher, working in Wilson Elementary, Genning’s Elementary, McNair Elementary, and as one of the inaugural staff for McMath Middle school. It was while working at McNair that O’Bara was approached by her principal who urged her to pursue her administration certificate.
“I did that [teach] for a number of years until my principal said, ‘you’ve really got to pursue your administration certification,” O’bara said, “I said no and he finally said, ‘I’m going to visit your classroom every day until you say yes.’ Well, as a teacher, I didn’t want my principal in my classroom every single day, so I eventually caved and pursued that.”
It was at this point O’Bara got her master’s degree, administration certification, and took up her first administrative role as assistant principal of Genning’s Elementary, later going to Hawk Elementary, where she became a principal for ten years.
However, even with this natural advancement in her roles, superintendent was never the final goal for O’Bara.
“Doctor Wilson has always used a phrase that you’re not a leader until you create a leader who creates leaders,” O’Bara said, “He said to me a number of years ago, I think you have the potential to be a superintendent. He saw something in me that I didn’t see in myself. I told him no, just the same as I told that first principal. No, because I liked what I was doing.”
O’Bara reiterates that her career was a natural progression with no real end goal in mind, each role she took on was just another way she could fulfill her desire to influence and inspire kids.
“The reality is, whether I was a classroom teacher, campus principal, assistant superintendent, your work’s never done,” O’Bara said, “You never arrive. It’s not like you go, okay, I’ve done that. That job is done. Now, what’s next? So I’ve never had that intention of ‘I’m going to be the superintendent’. I’ve always thought I’m going to serve my students and my community here. So, really I have just reached a higher point of influence to further influence students.”
Regarding her role as the first female superintendent, O’Bara emphasized that her focus remains on effective leadership rather than breaking barriers.
“I’ve never thought of myself as doing what I do because I’m female,” O’Bara said. “I’ve always thought about this is the role I want to do, and I’m going to lead in that role. Being female gives me a unique perspective. Not better, not worse, but unique. It’s a different perspective.”
Looking ahead, O’Bara is committed to supporting both students and staff.
“One of my biggest priorities is ensuring our campuses had everything they needed to ensure a high-quality education for our students,” O’Bara said.
She noted the challenges posed by current budget constraints but remains focused on supporting teachers and campus leaders.
O’Bara’s appointment marks a significant milestone for Denton ISD, and her extensive experience and deep-rooted connection to the community are expected to shape her leadership in the years to come.
