Bring 'Em Back Kats

Keynote Speaker: Dr. Jenny McGown

Dr. Jenny McGown is a positive, student-focused leader who is grateful to serve as the superintendent of schools in Klein ISD, a 50,000+ student public school district of 50+ schools located in Klein, Texas. Dr. McGown has spent her entire stateside career in Klein, strengthening the longstanding tradition of excellence and innovation in every role she’s held, including classroom teacher, campus principal, executive director, chief learning officer, and deputy superintendent before being named Klein ISD Superintendent in 2019.

Dr. McGown has earned numerous leadership accolades, including being recognized as the 2022 Region 4 Superintendent of the Year and State Finalist for Texas Superintendent of the Year (2022). Throughout her career she has been named Teacher of the Year (2004), Houston Business Journal’s Top 40 under 40 Professional across all sectors (2017), the Houston BizWoman Headliner in Education (2018), American Association of University Women (AAUW) Outstanding Woman in Education (2019), Sam Houston State University Distinguished Educator of the Year (2020), Houston Business Journal’s Women Who Mean Business award recipient (2021), a Distinguished Administrator by the Texas Music Educators Association (2021), and a NorthStar award recipient from the North Houston Association (2023). She is nationally recognized as the National School Public Relations Association Top Superintendent to Watch, 1 of only 20 selected across the United States. She has also been honored as Houston Business Journal’s Most Admired CEO (2023), a Top 30 Influential Women of Houston Honoree by the D-Mars Business Journal (2023), and a recipient of the Empowered Superintendent Award from the Texas Education Technology Leaders (2024). Most recently, she was named a national finalist for the 2026 District Administration Superintendent of the Year award through the District Administration Awards of Distinction program.

Dr. McGown played a pivotal role in developing first-in-the-state pathways for students to earn advanced degrees before graduating from high school, including the first-in-the-state Geospatial Engineering and Land Surveying Pathway, and improving overall student performance and outcomes in Academics, the Arts, and Athletics. Under Dr. McGown’s leadership, Klein ISD was named the Districts of Distinction National District of the Year (2021).  Additionally, Klein ISD has been honored as the #1 Education Employer in Texas on Forbes’ Best-in-State Employers 2025 list as well as the top K-12 employer in the nation on Forbes America’s Best Large Employers 2026 list. As the leader of what she calls the “Klein Family”, Dr. McGown has earned the love and respect of students, staff, and the Klein community.

Dr. McGown has also been elected to Position 3 on the Harris County Safe School Commission for Precinct 3. Additionally, she serves on numerous boards, including the Google for Education North America K-12 Advisory Board, the Pearl Fincher Museum of Fine Arts Board, the Northwest Assistance Ministries Board, the Klein Education Foundation, and is a member of the Lone Star College Chancellor’s Advisory Council.

Dr. McGown is a proud graduate of Texas A&M University, where she met her husband of over 20 years. Together, they have two children, both Klein ISD students since Kindergarten.