SAN BENITO — Dr. Adrian Vega believes there are a number of things that lead to success.
As San Benito CISD Superintendent of Schools, Vega gives credit to his parents and his family.
“From a very early age, my parents instilled the importance of a good education and a strong work ethic in me and my brothers,” Vega said. “Without the support of my wife and children, I wouldn’t be able to do the job that I do. My wife and children are my backbone and support system.”
Since January, he has proudly served the district.
During his first six months in San Benito, Vega guided the district through efficiency and curriculum audits that helped provide a better understanding of the district’s current strengths and identified areas that needed attention.
The bulk of his work has been spearheading the school district’s Re-Imagine 2021 Strategic Plan Campaign – a true collaborative effort of school leaders, community members, business representatives, students, and district staff that was approved in July.
The plan is strategically designed to positively impact the future of the district.
It includes a new mission statement, vision statement, and set of core values that will guide the district toward an exciting future.
With the support of the district and his family, Vega has been able to accomplish what many before him could not.
He credits the district – an entity that has worked together from the beginning and has been behind him 100 percent.
“I don’t believe that anyone accomplishes anything in isolation or alone. Whether people recognize others or not, undoubtedly every person who succeeds must give credit to those around them, as well as those who have gone before them.
Prior to taking the helm at San Benito CISD, Vega had served as the Deputy Superintendent for Teaching and Learning with the Tucson Arizona Unified School District.
He was previously a high school principal with the Ector County Independent School District and a middle school principal with the Tyler Independent School District.
Prior to serving in ECISD and TISD, Dr. Vega worked with the Dallas Independent School District, serving as a Novice and Aspiring Principals Specialist with the Professional Development Department, an Instructional Specialist with the Alternative Certification Department, an elementary school assistant principal, an elementary school Community Liaison and an elementary school bilingual teacher.
At the end of the day, or his life, all Vega really wants is to know that he’s made a difference and impacted the lives of others.
“As an educator, I have the opportunity to do so on a daily basis,” Vega said. “Impacting the lives of others, doesn’t necessarily have to be something big and grandiose, it can be something as simple as treating people with respect, being kind, helpful and generous, with every person we encounter.”
Earned his doctorate degree from Texas A&M University-Commerce in 2011, his master’s degree from Texas Woman’s University in 2002 and his bachelor degree from the University of Texas at San Antonio in 1993.
H He and his wife, Kathryn, have two teenage children, including a son, Avery and daughter Della Lane.
Q: What advice would you give to someone who hopes to attain the
success you have?
A: It all depends on one’s definition of success. If the definition of success is the acquisition of things, then I’m not sure of what kind of advice to give. If the definition of success is to make a difference in the lives of others, then I would say work hard, be humble, support and serve others, be kind, and be thankful for what you have.
Q: Who inspires you?
A: There are a number of people who inspire me. I think that the people who inspire me the most are those that leave or have left their mark on society. Those that have made a difference.
Therefore, whether it has been someone working for social justice, e.g. Cesar Chavez, Martin Luther King. Jr., Mother Teresa, or Gandhi, or artists like Picasso, the Beatles, or U2 … individuals that have left their mark, have made society better, more enjoyable, or more beautiful are the ones that inspire me.
