Dr. Christine Whitbeck
Dr. Christie Whitbeck became superintendent of Fort Bend ISD, the 8th largest district in Texas, in September 2021. She previously served as the Superintendent of Bryan ISD and the Deputy Superintendent of Fort Bend ISD.
She is regarded statewide as an award-winning, consensus-building leader. She has served on numerous state committees to support public education in Texas.
One of Dr. Whitbeck’s first acts as FBISD’s Superintendent was to visit all 82 campuses to meet and listen to staff and students. She also established a ThoughtExchange platform to gather feedback from educators in order to address issues that are important to teachers and improve morale. From day one of her return to FBISD as its leader, Dr. Whitbeck has worked to refine the culture and climate in the district, improve safety and security in schools, and increase compensation for staff.
Under her leadership, Fort Bend ISD earned A’s in graduation rates and college and career readiness and an overall 89 (B) rating from the Texas Education Agency for the 2021-22 school year. Also, 84% of FBISD campuses received an A or B, despite learning loss during the pandemic.
Dr. Whitbeck has successfully led data-driven initiatives that support student success. She opened one of the state’s 10 Regional Career and Technology Centers in Bryan ISD and was named Texas’ Career Technical Education Champion of the Year.
She won a 2019 Outstanding Alumni Early Career Award from Texas A&M’s College of Education for significant contributions to her field made within 10 years of graduating. In Bryan ISD, she was credited with significant academic gains, improvements in graduation and college, career and military readiness rates, widespread transportation and safety improvements, and passage of her “2 Bonds, 1 Vision” plan, which raised significant revenue without raising the tax rate.
Dr. Whitbeck has a long history of educating children in the Houston area. In addition to having served previously as Deputy Superintendent of Fort Bend ISD, she also served as Assistant Superintendent of Academics in Alvin ISD, and she was an award-winning principal who opened elementary, middle, and high schools in Katy ISD. She began her career as a teacher in Alief ISD. For her decades of service as an educator and leader, Dr. Whitbeck was named one of 2022’s Top 30 Influential Women of Houston.
She received her Ph.D. in public school administration from Texas A&M University, graduating summa cum laude. She earned a master’s in administration supervision from the University of Houston and a bachelor’s in elementary education from Missouri State University.
Her philosophy of education is “Bringing out the Best in People,” which is the title of a cherished book received from her grandmother when Dr. Whitbeck began her teaching career. From then to now, wherever she goes, Dr. Whitbeck focuses on leading by listening and showing a kind heart.
