Woodville Independent School District

Small, Rural, and Mighty

How This Tight Knit School District Is Expanding Opportunity, Growing Its Own Teachers, and Powering a Local Workforce

In the heart of Deep East Texas, Woodville ISD is proving that a rural district can deliver big-city opportunities while preserving the close-knit culture that defines small-town life. Superintendent Lisa Meysembourg summarizes the mission simply but powerfully: to provide safe schools where every child can succeed, become a lifelong learner, and be prepared to thrive in a rapidly changing world.

“It’s not always about a four-year college,” she explains. “It’s about making sure every student has a path—college, career, military, or entrepreneurship—and the skills to succeed in it.”

At the center of Woodville’s culture is the Capturing Kids’ Hearts program, a relationship-based framework that teaches students communication, collaboration, conflict resolution, and empathy—skills that form the foundation for life and work. Meysembourg believes that modeling these behaviors is just as important as teaching them. “Strong interpersonal skills are the foundation of success, no matter what path a student takes,” she says.

Professional Development That Lives in the Work

The district has built continuous teacher support into its daily operations. Weekly Professional Learning Communities allow educators to collaborate and grow together, while campus leadership development meetings help administrative leaders sharpen their instructional and management skills. Instructional coaches work directly with teachers who are new to the district or need additional support, and department coordinators ensure that specialized programs—like career and technical education—receive focused attention.

Woodville also takes a thoughtful approach to work-life balance. Its innovative academic calendar includes week-long breaks throughout the year—fall, Thanksgiving, winter, February, and spring—allowing teachers and students alike to recharge. “Happy teachers mean thriving students,” notes Assistant Superintendent of Academics Ashley Weatherford. “Our calendar is designed around quality instruction and sustainable energy for our staff.”

Career & Technical Education Built for a Regional Economy

Woodville ISD’s career and technical education (CTE) programs are tightly aligned with the regional job market, ensuring students are ready for high-demand, high-wage careers. The district’s pathways cover a wide spectrum, including health sciences, information technology, criminal justice, agriculture, culinary arts, teaching and training, welding, plumbing, automotive technology, and collision repair.

Most CTE teachers come directly from industry, bringing professional experience and valuable connections that open real-world opportunities for students. Health science students rotate through hospitals, nursing homes, and therapy clinics, gaining practical exposure to patient care. Plumbing students earn apprentice certifications and have even been hired by contractors working on the district’s own facilities before graduating. Criminal justice students benefit from mentorships that lead to jobs in law enforcement and emergency services, while welding students often receive job offers before graduation, thanks to strong ties with local refineries and subcontractors.

“These programs are about giving kids a future right here at home,” says Meysembourg. “We want to build career pathways that not only meet workforce needs but also strengthen our local economy.”

Technology and STEM with Real-World Purpose

Technology plays a vital role in preparing students for the future. Woodville maintains a one-to-one ratio of Chromebooks, ensuring every student has access to digital tools that support interactive learning. At the high school, a new Information Technology pathway provides certification opportunities in web design and networking through Cisco-aligned programs. Students in graphic design work on yearbook layouts, marketing materials, and branding projects that serve the school community.

Data analytics tools help teachers identify student needs, while professional development sessions focus on how technology—including artificial intelligence—can improve instruction without replacing creativity or critical thinking. “AI can be a tool, but it should never be a substitute for judgment or originality,” says High School Principal Ron Zachary. “We teach students to use technology responsibly and purposefully.”

Capital Investment: From Early Learning to Industry-Grade Labs

Woodville ISD’s commitment to opportunity extends to its facilities. The district’s $47.85 million bond, approved in 2022, led to the construction of a new PreK–5 elementary campus, consolidating 11 outdated buildings into one secure, modern learning environment. The bond also funded major upgrades to the CTE complex, including new labs for health science, culinary arts, and construction trades, along with expanded welding, plumbing, automotive, and collision facilities.

Meysembourg describes the effort as “bookending” the district’s priorities—investing equally in early childhood education and advanced technical training.

To stretch local resources, Woodville actively pursues state and private funding, including workforce development grants, regional collaborations through the Deep East Texas College & Career Alliance, and partnerships with the T.L.L. Temple Foundation. Recently the district has been working closely with the Tyler County Development Foundation to convert some of the former elementary buildings into a hub for workforce training and lifelong learning.

Growing Our Own: A Teacher Certification Pipeline

With teacher shortages impacting districts across the country, Woodville ISD created its own solution. The ACT (Academy to Certify Teachers) program recruits local residents with aptitude and passion for education, hires them as classroom instructors, pays their tuition, and supports them through certification in partnership with Teachworthy and Indiana Wesleyan University.

“Many talented people in our community just need a path to the classroom,” Meysembourg explains. “We’re helping them get certified, stay local, and make a lasting impact.”

A parallel high school pathway allows students to graduate with paraprofessional credentials, work in schools, and earn tuition assistance as they pursue teaching degrees. This “grow your own” model is already paying dividends in retention and community pride.

Whole-Child Support: Social, Emotional, and Family Care

Woodville’s social-emotional support structure is comprehensive. The district counseling team coordinates care across all campuses.  As the lead, the district Social and Emotional Learning Counselor, works diligently within the community and region to build partnerships that provide wraparound services for families from food and transportation assistance to mental health and vision care.

Campus leadership teams work closely to align programs and provide support for all students including a community mentoring program.  In addition, HS students are offered opportunities to engage and interact with elementary students on a regular basis.

“Our ‘bigs and littles’ learn together,” says Zachary. “It’s about leadership, empathy, and communication. It changes both lives.”

Through the T-CHATT tele-mental health program, students can access professional counseling during the school day with parent consent. “We want to be proactive,” Meysembourg emphasizes. “Supporting mental health is as important as supporting academics.”

Vision: A Community That Learns Together

For Woodville ISD, education is not just about schools—it’s about community transformation. Meysembourg’s long-term vision centers on uniting the city, county, businesses, colleges, and civic organizations around shared goals for growth and stability. “We can’t do this in isolation,” she says. “When we all work together, we’re not just educating students—we’re creating a thriving Tyler County.”

Over the next two years, the district’s top priorities include expanding work-based learning partnerships, strengthening its healthcare and energy-related programs, scaling information technology and lineman pathways, and ensuring college-bound students graduate with both the academic rigor and soft skills needed for success.

“We may be small and remote,” Meysembourg concludes, “but we are mighty—and united. When people hear ‘Woodville,’ we want them to think of opportunity, excellence, and community.”

AT A GLANCE

Who: Woodville Independent School District

What: A small and rural district that supports the whole child and provides impressive student opportunities

Where: East Texas, USA

Website: www.woodvilleeagles.org