Staff Spotlight: Joey Rodriguez, Regional Director, Dallas County
Q&A with Joey
What do you do for Leadership ISD?
I am the Regional Director for Dallas County. I lead the work throughout the county, facilitating our Civic Voices Fellowship, supporting trustees, and building community coalitions dedicated to improving student outcomes. I am passionate about developing community leaders into public education advocates and ensuring trustees have the support they need to create excellent, equitable learning environments in their districts.
Tell us about Leadership ISD’s Civic Voices Fellowship. Why is the work happening in Civic Voices important?
As a former public school teacher, I am passionate about unlocking someone’s potential and helping them figure out how they can be most effective. Civic Voices provides the community with an invaluable opportunity to arm themselves with the essential tools for effective advocacy in the realm of public education. Our commitment to delivering comprehensive and personalized information ensures that advocates from all backgrounds and areas of expertise can step out with confidence in their advocacy efforts. I firmly believe that everyone has a role to play in the betterment of local school districts, and our Civic Voices Fellowship empowers individuals to explore and define their unique contributions.
Why are you passionate about educational equity? What motivates you?
Education stands as the ultimate equalizer. Extensive research underscores its pivotal role in shaping an individual's life trajectory. The quality of education one receives significantly influences their life's direction. Relying solely on the chance of having an impactful teacher, mentor, or family member is insufficient. We must ensure that these transformative experiences are deliberately cultivated. While hope and luck are nice to have, they should not act as our primary strategy. This is the driving force behind my commitment. I am dedicated to the ongoing effort of embedding equity within every North Texas school district with the goal of purposefully enhancing outcomes for all students.
What organizations are you involved with, or lead, outside of work?
I am on the board of directors for Union Dallas (501c3) and am on the advisory committee for C3 Young Latino Professionals. I am also the proud founder and executive director of Firme DFW, a non-profit that provides first-generation Latinos with the resources needed to thrive in college.
My parents are immigrants from Mexico, and I was the first in my family to finish college. I realized quickly that I didn’t have the same resources or guidance as some of my other peers. I always felt like there was something missing, that at any moment, they would kick me out of school because my parents didn’t fill out the right paperwork or I missed a deadline for something really important. I knew about three people during undergrad who came from a similar upbringing and had the same experiences as me. Only three. That also made me feel invisible and sometimes insignificant. It made me doubt myself like maybe I wasn’t supposed to be there. Like maybe it was an accident that I ended up there.
This is why I started Firme DFW. I don’t want first-generation kids to feel the way that I did growing up. Firme isn’t only about giving out scholarships to first-gen students, it’s also about validating their experiences by highlighting the culture that we hold near and dear to us. It’s about giving them the supports they need to complete college. I want this scholarship program to serve as a reminder to our kids that THEY ARE NOT INVISIBLE.
When would you say was the most influential time in your education? What advice would you offer a current student?
My turning point was during my senior year of high school. It was when a teacher looked at me and said, "You're intelligent." That simple statement ignited something within me, boosting my confidence in the idea of pursuing higher education. Without the steadfast support from both my teacher and my college access advisor that year, I genuinely believe the opportunity to attend college, let alone afford it, would have been beyond my reach. None of that would have mattered if I didn’t at some point believe that I too was capable of getting it done. So, some advice I have for some of the younger cats out there is to remember that your journey is unique, and while the path may have its ups and downs, each step is a part of your story. Keep moving forward with determination and a belief in your own potential.
What do you like to do in your free time?
I'm a big fan of the cinematic experience - there's just something magical about the movie theater! In addition to that, I'm a musician who enjoys performing intimate gigs every now and then. Staying active and hitting the gym is another passion of mine. Lastly, there's nothing quite like quality time with my wife and our furry friend, Ewan McGregor, who adds a whole lot of joy to our lives!
Joey was recently featured in Shoutout DFW, read that piece here: Meet Joey Rodriguez | Executive Director & Program Director.
Joey with Council Member Dan Barrios (City of Richardson), Trustee Debbie Renteria (Richardson ISD), and Trustee Ben Mackey (Dallas ISD).
