Tomball ISD Superintendent Dr. Martha Salazar-Zamora Named 2026 TALAS Superintendent of the Year
Residents across Tomball ISD have watched their school district grow rapidly over the past several years, with new campuses, expanded academic opportunities and continued recognition for student achievement. Now, that momentum has earned another statewide honor as Superintendent Dr. Martha Salazar-Zamora has been named the 2026 Texas Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents (TALAS) Superintendent of the Year.
The inaugural award is one of TALAS' highest recognitions, honoring a Texas superintendent whose leadership, innovation, advocacy, mentorship and service have created meaningful opportunities for students, educators and communities.
For Tomball ISD families, the recognition reflects more than an individual achievement. It highlights the leadership that has guided one of Texas' fastest-growing and highest-performing public school districts through a period of significant growth while maintaining a focus on academic excellence and student success.
Recognition Reflects Years of Growth in Tomball ISD
Since becoming superintendent in 2017, Dr. Salazar-Zamora has overseen continued expansion across Tomball ISD as enrollment has grown alongside the surrounding communities in northwest Harris County and southwest Montgomery County.
Founded in 1908, Tomball ISD now serves more than 23,300 students across 25 campuses spanning approximately 83 square miles. The district has become known for balancing rapid growth with strong academic performance while continuing to invest in innovative programs that prepare students for college, careers and life beyond graduation.
Under Dr. Salazar-Zamora's leadership, Tomball ISD has expanded career and technical education pathways, strengthened advanced academic opportunities, launched a nationally recognized Two-Way Dual Language program and developed award-winning fine arts programs. Among those is the district's state-recognized Mariachi program, which reflects Tomball ISD's commitment to celebrating culture while providing students with meaningful opportunities for artistic expression.
A Career Dedicated to Public Education Leadership
Dr. Salazar-Zamora's selection as the 2026 TALAS Superintendent of the Year adds to a long list of statewide and national recognitions earned during her nearly 40-year career in Texas public education.
She was named the 2023 Texas Superintendent of the Year, becoming the first Hispanic woman to receive the honor. She was also selected as Texas' first Hispanic female finalist for the 2024 AASA National Superintendent of the Year award.
Additional honors include recognition as a Top 100 Influencer in K-12 Education, recipient of the Golden Deeds for Education Award, the Margret Montgomery Leadership Award, and designation as a 2026 Education Week "Leader to Learn From."
Beyond her work leading Tomball ISD, Dr. Salazar-Zamora has remained actively involved in developing future education leaders across Texas and the nation. She is a founding member and past president of TALAS, currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents (ALAS), and serves on the advisory board for Women Leading Ed, where she mentors aspiring educational leaders.
What Is TALAS?
The Texas Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents (TALAS) is a statewide professional organization focused on developing and supporting educational leaders through leadership development, mentorship, advocacy and professional learning. While the organization was founded to increase opportunities for Latino leaders in public education, its mission centers on improving educational outcomes and expanding opportunities for all Texas students.
The new Superintendent of the Year award was established to recognize district leaders whose work demonstrates excellence in leadership while creating lasting, positive impacts within their school communities.
Superintendent Credits the Tomball ISD Community
Upon receiving the recognition, Dr. Salazar-Zamora emphasized that the award reflects the collective efforts of the entire Tomball ISD community.
"As a founding member and past president, I am deeply honored to receive this recognition from an organization that has played such an important role in my professional journey," said Dr. Salazar-Zamora. "This award reflects the incredible work of the Tomball ISD Board of Trustees, our dedicated staff, our students, and our families. Together, we are creating opportunities that empower every learner and demonstrate the life-changing impact of public education."
District leaders said the recognition highlights her continued commitment to educational excellence, innovation, leadership development and ensuring every student has access to exceptional learning opportunities.
What It Means for Tomball ISD Families
For families throughout Tomball ISD, the statewide recognition comes at a time when the district continues expanding to meet the needs of one of the Houston area's fastest-growing communities.
As new neighborhoods continue to develop across northwest Harris and southwest Montgomery counties, Tomball ISD has remained focused on maintaining high academic standards while investing in programs that prepare students for future success. The recognition from TALAS reinforces the district's reputation as a destination district for both students and educators.
With continued enrollment growth and ongoing investment in innovative educational opportunities, district leaders say the honor reflects the collaborative work of educators, trustees, students and families who continue shaping the future of public education in Tomball.
Residents can stay tuned to My Neighborhood News for continued coverage of Tomball ISD, local schools and community news.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
