After serving the district for 36 years, LISD Superintendent and former Marcus principal Dr. Kevin Rogers is retiring on Jan. 31.

Rogers first started in the district as a middle school science teacher and coach, later becoming principal of Arbor Creek Middle School.

In the mid 1990’s, he became assistant principal of Marcus, then served as principal from 2000 to 2008. Rogers said he has fond memories of the school and its culture.

“Marcus has long been known as just a place that has incredible teachers, staff and coaches,” Rogers said. “And of course, you put that together with incredible students, and it makes for a great school.”

When Rogers was in college, he studied medicine. But he soon realized education was his true calling.

“I was raised in the church, and I always knew that service to others…was important to me and to my inner core,” Rogers said. “I had so many amazing teachers in my past that made a difference in my life. I made the decision to become a teacher, and I’ve never regretted that.”

Rogers became superintendent in 2015 after serving as assistant superintendent. While his job required him to sit in on school board and chamber of commerce meetings, he said one of his favorite parts of the job was interacting with students, whether that be attending sports games or reading to elementary students.

Rogers said he values student opinions greatly. Since he left the school in 2008, he created the Student Advisory Group where students from all over the district can share their thoughts with him.
“Students have a lot of great ideas, and we need to listen to them,” Rogers said.

In the past seven years, LISD expanded to include STEM academies for younger grades and the Collegiate Academy at The Colony High School, as well as making more technology accessible for students and teachers. But Rogers said it wasn’t just his efforts that allowed for these accomplishments.

“I’ve always believed in we, not me, and I’m extremely proud of the work we did,” Rogers said.

According to Rogers, it’s because of the district’s community of administrators, teachers, parents and students that helped create a plan for learning after COVID hit.

“It’s changed the role of the superintendent and what we did in classrooms,” Rogers said. “And once again, great admiration for our teachers, for our students for being flexible.”

Rogers’ son and head basketball coach Shane said he’s looking forward to his dad’s retirement.

“He deserves to go out the way he wanted to go out and enjoy it,” Shane said.

After retiring, Rogers plans to travel and spend time with his family. Looking back, he hopes the district community remembers him for his impact on them.

“I’m so excited when I get to see former students and they call me Coach Rogers or my nickname when I was here at Marcus was K Rog,” Rogers said. “And that’s something that I’m proud of…I think most people will say, hey, he was a pretty good person, he cared about us.”