Dr. Oscar Rico Named Technology Director at Canutillo ISD
The Canutillo Independent School District has named Dr. Oscar Rico as Director of Technology to lead the District’s Information Technology Services Department. An experienced professional in educational leadership, Rico has most recently served as the principal of Jose J. Alderete Middle School in CISD and has 17 years of experience as a professional educator.
During his tenure at Alderete Middle, the school has seen significant changes. The Alderete Medical Academy was launched, the campus went from three to six TEA academic distinctions, and the school will be introducing a new dual language program to promote biliteracy.
“We believe that Dr. Rico has the academic experience we need as technology moves toward a more instructional focus than ever before,” Canutillo ISD Superintendent Dr. Pedro Galaviz said. “By the time we go one-to-one and get electronic learning devices in the hands of every student in the District this fall, Dr. Rico will ensure that meaningful instruction is delivered to the students successfully.”
Dr. Rico began his career as an educator and high school football coach in 2003 at Clint High School followed by a seven-year tenure at Parkland High School in Ysleta ISD. During his time as a high school Science teacher, Dr. Rico taught Biology and was inspired to become an instructional leader. He served as an administrator in El Paso ISD as a STEM coordinator and as an assistant principal at Franklin High School.
Dr. Rico believes that the recent challenges in the educational environment due to the global health crisis are an opportunity for growth.
“This pandemic has really shown us that the classroom walls extend farther than the eyes can see,” Dr. Rico said. “It opened our eyes to the need for a solid instructional technology plan for our students and robust professional development for our teachers and even parents to move forward and catch up to the 21st century. It’s an honor to be selected to bring my educational expertise to this position with the District.”
Dr. Rico holds a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of Texas at El Paso. He defended his dissertation, titled “Mexican American High School Dropouts: A look at nine personal attributes that place students at risk”, in 2011. His work on at-risk students has been showcased at national conferences in 2011 and 2012.