Kimberley Cantu
Dr. Kimberley Cantu is the former Superintendent of Mansfield Independent School District and Superintendent Emeritus of MISD, where she served for more than 25 years. She began her career as a teacher and coach at Llano High School in 1992. The following year, she accepted a teaching and coaching position at Mansfield High School, where she spent five years in the classroom before moving into campus leadership as an assistant principal and later as the academic associate principal of Mansfield High School.
In a neighboring district, Dr. Cantu served as a principal, director of curriculum and instruction, and executive director of human resources. She returned to Mansfield ISD in 2012 as a director in human resources and held various district leadership roles before being appointed deputy superintendent. After being named the lone finalist in the Mansfield ISD superintendent search, Dr. Cantu was officially named superintendent on December 17, 2019, becoming the second female superintendent in the district鈥檚 history. She now holds the honorary title of Superintendent Emeritus in recognition of her leadership and service.
Dr. Cantu is passionate about preparing students to be college, career, and life ready through her work with Vision 2030 and her leadership in the national Redefining Ready cohort. Her commitment to ensuring all students are socially and emotionally supported鈥攂oth in and outside of school鈥攔eflects her belief in developing truly 鈥渓ife ready鈥� graduates and her dedication to putting the best interests of students and families first.
Dr. Cantu earned her Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees in English from Tarleton State University. She obtained her Mid-Management Administrator certificate from Texas Woman鈥檚 University and earned her Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Texas A&M University鈥揅ommerce. She holds three state certifications: secondary English, mid-management, and superintendent.
Committed to service beyond education, Dr. Cantu is an active member of the Mansfield Rotary Club and participates in Meals on Wheels, Habitat for Humanity, and other community service projects.
Kimberley is married to Jerry Cantu, a retired educator who now serves as a chief of staff in Tarrant County. They reside in Mansfield and have four daughters, two sons-in-law, and two grandchildren.
