About John R. Wink

John Wink currently serves as superintendent of schools for Carthage ISD in Carthage, TX. Prior to that John served as superintendent of Blue Ridge Independent School District in Blue Ridge, TX from May 2016 - December 2018, where student achievement experienced tremendous growth. From 2014 - 2016, John served at the Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment for the Tatum Independent School District in Tatum, TX. In his time there, student achievement increased significantly, and the district saw a large increase in academic distinctions on standardized tests and a significant increase in students earning CTE workforce industry certifications.

As a campus principal, John served as principal at Gilmer Elementary School (2011-2014) where he led the school through school improvement status to earning 2 of 3 academic distinction. As principal of Hallsville Middle School (2002-2008), HMS moved from Acceptable to Exemplary status in 4 years, and as principal of Hallsville High School (2008-2011), John led the school to become one of the top academic high schools in Texas.

In all of these schools, student success improved dramatically due to the focused leadership structures, outstanding teachers, and a collaborative philosophy that collectively empowered all educators to create a positive school culture, design instructional structures to support students, and eliminate ineffective and inefficient practices. The result of these actions led teachers to focus on learning by focusing on the adult learning first. Every campus achieved greatness in its own unique way because the strategies capitalized on the staff's strengths, the campus traditions, and the campus' commitment to it's mission of guaranteeing excellence for all.