Dr. Jenny McGown is a positive, student-focused leader who is grateful to serve as the superintendent of schools in Klein ISD, a 54,000+ student public school district 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. Most recently, she was recognized as the Houston Business Journal’s Most Admired CEO (2023).
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). 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 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 received her Master’s and Doctorate degrees from Sam Houston State University and 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.