Superintendent

With more than 25 years of experience in Texas education, Tabitha Branum is an experienced leader committed to student success through research-based and innovative practices.

In August 2022, Branum was named the 20th superintendent of Richardson Independent School District (RISD), following her service as interim superintendent. Before assuming this role, she spent eight years serving RISD families as assistant superintendent of secondary schools and later as deputy superintendent, where she led curriculum, instruction, and district operations while developing RISD’s five-year strategic plan.

Branum’s career spans classroom teaching, school leadership, and curriculum innovation. She began as a teacher in Coppell ISD in 1997, later leading the design and launch of New Tech High School in Coppell. A respected presenter and skilled grant writer, she has driven instructional improvements in both Coppell and Richardson. She also co-authored Digital Learning: Meeting the Challenges and Embracing the Opportunities for Teachers.

A dedicated member of the RISD community, Branum and her family reside in the district. She holds a bachelor’s degree in history and a master’s in educational administration from the University of North Texas. Her contributions to education have earned her notable recognition, including the National PTA Lifetime Achievement Award (2022), Altrusa International’s Outstanding Woman of Today (2023), and the Chairman’s Award from the Richardson Chamber.

Branum actively shapes educational policy and initiatives and believes in giving back to our community through her involvement in organizations that enhance public education. She serves on the boards of the UIL Region 20 Music Executive Committee, the Texas Academic Decathlon and Junior Achievement of Dallas. She is a Director for the Texas Association of Suburban and Mid-Urban Schools (TAS/MUS) and sits on the Board of Advisors for the Phone-Free Schools Movement and the SMU Master of Public Policy Advisory Committee.

Passionate about public education, Branum is dedicated to ensuring that all students graduate prepared to navigate a future they create.