When it comes to community impact, few people have more of an impact than local educators. So, it stands to reason that Rod Paige, former Houston ISD Superintendent and former dean (and professor) of Texas Southern University’s College of Education, was in a position to make his presence felt upon thousands of Houstonians.
According to those who knew him, Paige’s impact and influence were entirely positive.
Deloyd Parker, co-founder and executive director of SHAPE Community Center, is one of those locals who knew Paige.
“He started out as a football coach and really came up, all the way to the U.S. Secretary of Education,” said Parker.
Parker was referencing Paige’s historic stint in the U.S. government as a Cabinet member during the former President George W. Bush’s administration, from Jan. 20, 2001 to Jan. 20, 2005.
Before his life in the nation’s capital, Paige served as TSU’s head football coach from 1971 to 1975. During his stint at TSU, Paige became a beloved professor. He then transitioned to dean of TSU’s College of Education. The building that houses the college now bears Paige’s name.
Reverend Carol Guess, former president of the Greater Houston Black Chamber, remembers Paige most fondly as a professor.
“Students weren’t just a number for Dr. Paige. He truly cared about students learning the subject matters taught and about their overall success in life.”
– Rev. Carol Guess
“Students weren’t just a number for Dr. Paige,” who currently serves as vice chair of the Texas Association of African American Chambers of Commerce (TAAACC). “He truly cared about students learning the subject matters taught and about their overall success in life. Such care and concern are what we need in educational leaders. He will be missed.”
After his time at TSU, and before becoming the U.S. Secretary of Education, Paige made a name for himself as a trustee and an officer of HISD’s Board of Education from 1989 to 1994.
In that role, Paige coauthored the board’s A Declaration of Beliefs and Visions, a statement of purpose and goals for HISD that called for fundamental reform through decentralization, a focus on instruction, accountability at all levels, and development of a core curriculum. It is generally acknowledged that A Declaration of Beliefs and Visions was the catalyst that launched the ongoing, comprehensive restructuring of HISD.
Another contribution to the Houston community spearheaded by Paige while on HISD’s Board was the launch of a municipal-style, accredited police department at HISD with police officers certified by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officers Standards and Education. The HISD police department remains the only school district police department in the country to have earned accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies.
Parker noted that Paige always remained grounded, regardless of his role.
“I appreciated Rod Paige because he was always easily accessible to the community. Oftentimes, elected officials or heads of entities like school districts may as well be ‘missing in action’ when it comes to conversing with the people at the neighborhood level that they serve and are supposed to answer to,” stated Parker. “With Rod Paige, he was a brother of integrity when it came to being there to meet with the community. That’s really how it should be for all officials.”
Funeral details
The public will get the opportunity to pay their respects to Dr. Paige, who will lie in state Wednesday, Dec. 17, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Rod Paige Education Building at Texas Southern University.
His funeral service will be held Thursday, Dec. 18, at Brentwood Baptist Church on Landmark Street. A public viewing will begin at 1 p.m., followed by the service at 2 p.m.
