BIOGRAPHY

David Johnston serves as the Director of the Center for College Readiness. He grew up in South Texas, where he started his teaching career as an English teacher before earning his MFA in creative writing at the University of Alabama. He then joined Houston Independent School District, where he taught ESL and opened HISD’s first comprehensive college center at Wisdom High School. In 2015, he joined HISD’s College Readiness Department as an assistant superintendent, spearheading innovative initiatives, including HISD’s annual DREAM Summit for immigrant students and the district’s first HBCU College Night. Most recently, he led HISD’s College, Career, and Military Readiness efforts, which saw marked increases in college enrollment, industry-based certificates, and advanced course work. He has been recognized for his advocacy work, receiving the Humanitarian Award from the Houston Counseling Association and the Outstanding Community Partner from Houston Community College.