Dr. Michael Cardona

Michael A. Cardona was named Superintendent of Schools for San Marcos CISD on May 2, 2016. Prior to this position, Michael served as the Chief School Officer in the Houston Independent School District, the state’s largest school system.

Recognized as a turnaround administrator, Michael helped implement rigorous student performance standards resulting in increased passing rates and higher achievement scores. Lauded by both teachers and administrators for his strong leadership, Michael has a demonstrated record of strengthening student achievement at all levels by focusing on a whole child approach.

Prior to joining Houston ISD, Michael was a secondary principal and assistant principal in the North East Independent School District in San Antonio and an assistant principal, teacher, and administrative intern in San Antonio ISD. During this period, he earned numerous awards, including being a state semi-finalist in both 2011 and 2012 in the Secondary Principal’s Category for the H.E.B. Excellence in Education Award. In 2014, he was awarded the Paul R. Hensarling Award for Distinguished Scholar from Texas A&M University.

Michael earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Texas A&M University – College Station in Political Science. He went on to earn a Master of Education from Texas A&M – Kingsville in Mid-Management and is currently working on his Doctor of Education at Texas A&M University-College Station. Michael has two son’s Mac (18) and Jack (13) and a step-daughter Sienna (13) with his wife Laura.