New BCISD superintendent ready to take things to the top

Todd Lintzen, the new Bridge City ISD superintendent, brings with him to his new job an impressive resume and more than 29 years of experience in education which includes 21 years in administration. Three words which define Lintzen are leadership, focus and direction. He is "big" on implementation too. He added, he is also not afraid of a challenge.

Debby Schamber - For The Record

BCISD moving forward and not looking back

Todd Lintzen, the new Bridge City ISD superintendent, brings with him to his new job an impressive resume and more than 29 years of experience in education which includes 21 years in administration.

The Opelousas, La. native began his career as an English teacher and coach. He moved up the ladder to become school principal. He continued to move forward in his career until he became superintendent for the Desoto Parish school district. While there he formulated a plan to make the district the best it could be academically and financially. He remained there 12 years until moving to Blue Ridge ISD in Blue Ridge, Texas. He stayed with Blue Ridge ISD for nine years.

"I have worked hard throughout my career to make the best education possible," Lintzen said.

Three words which define Lintzen are leadership, focus and direction. He is "big" on implementation too.

He added, he is also not afraid of a challenge.

Although he has been on the job a short time, Lintzen is currently working on a transition plan. He is not wasting time and will meet with the school board and teachers to gather information. With the information gathered, he plans within the next 90 days to formulate a plan to move BCISD forward. When those goals are met then another date will be chosen along with new goals set.

Lintzen said there are a lot of great things going on within the district, but he wants to kick things up a notch. Test scores in the past have earned the district some recognition, but he hopes to implement a plan to take them even higher.

"Bridge City test scores need to remain high, if not higher," he said. "You have to be on track from grade to grade."

Test scores is not the only thing he wants to improve upon. He also wants achievement on all levels and to see a 100 percent graduation rate.

"In education, you always have to be moving forward and not looking back," Lintzen said. "There are a lot of positives here and I plan to utilize the positives."

Lintzen wants to cultivate relationships between the teachers and students. He would also like to see more involvement from parents. His plan in coordinating this is to "get everybody moving" for an improvement of the "student experience."

Most adults can remember a favorite teacher they had in school. For some it is a cherished memory. On a similar premise, Lintzen wants teachers to think about the student prospective when he asks them,"How do you want to be remembered?" Hopefully, in years to come someone will smile when they remember their favorite BCISD teacher.

In order for the students to continue to move forward during their school years and into their adult years, they must be able to compete in the global work place, Linzen said. As a provider of education, it is up to the district to help prepare students for their future. They will be unable to obtain a good job without a strong foundation, he said.

But, Lintzen cannot do this immediately or all alone. It takes some time and lots of conversations. The comprehensive approach takes students, parents, staff and community coming together for the betterment of the district.

"I believe in what I do and the power of education," Lintzen said.

Lintzen smiles as he says he wants the district to be the "best in Texas."

But, that means a lot of hard work is involved.

"I am excited to be here and look forward to working with the community, parents and teachers," Lintzen said.

When not hard at work, the hardworking family man spends time with his wife and two sons ages 20 and 25 years.