Meet the Superintendent
Dr. Michael J. O'Guin, Sr.
Superintendent of Schools - Wharton ISD
Dr. Michael J. O’Guin, Sr., is in his fourth year as superintendent of schools for Wharton ISD. He is an experienced servant leader with over two decades of experience in education, improving academic achievement, enriching student experiences, building bridges among teacher and staff teams, reducing disciplinary problems and absenteeism, embracing parent and community involvement, and fostering a growth mindset for all.
Dr. O’Guin began his career in education in Fort Bend ISD in 2000 as a social studies teacher and coach. He’s served in a variety of roles since then. He’s served as an athletic director, campus instructional specialist, middle school assistant principal, 9th-grade academy principal, and high school principal in Nacogdoches ISD from 2016-18. During this time, he increased academic achievement scores, improved student attendance, and reduced discipline referrals dramatically.
In 2018, Dr. O’Guin was hired by Hays CISD as a deputy academic officer, a senior leadership position equivalent to assistant superintendent. In Hays CISD, he managed two high schools and multiple middle and elementary schools. He also served as the interim chief academic officer for a time, during which he was responsible for the academic leadership of the entire 21,000-student, 25-campus school district. Under his leadership at Hays CISD, all five elementary campuses he was responsible for earned distinctions. And two of the three secondary campuses under his direction improved their A-F accountability scores. Before the 2020 COVID-19 crisis that suspended the state’s accountability system, every campus under Dr. O’Guin’s management demonstrated increased student achievement based on standardized district curriculum assessments.
During his first three years as superintendent of Wharton ISD, Dr. O’Guin and his team have established systems that have allowed the district to experience incremental growth in student outcomes. As a result, all campuses and the district are projected to make significant gains in state accountability scores and grades for the first time in five years.
“All of my varied experiences in the educational field have afforded me opportunities to affect students positively. Student achievement and success in the classroom continue to be a driving force for me daily,” said Dr. O’Guin. “I am a self-motivated leader committed to ensuring all students have opportunities to succeed and reach their full potential. My leadership skills, ability to effectively communicate, and ability to relate to all students have helped me succeed as an educator.”
Dr. O’Guin holds his Doctorate of Educational Administration and his Master of Educational Administration, both from Texas Southern University. He has a Bachelor of Arts in History, with a minor in English, from Sam Houston State University – Class of 1994. He holds a registered Texas school business administrator certification (RTSBA) from the Texas Association of School Business Officials, a certified John Maxwell Leadership Coach, and the Texas State Board credentials him for Educator Certification as a superintendent, principal, and teacher.
Dr. O’Guin is a native of Livingston, Texas, where he attended elementary, primary, junior high, and high school where he graduated in 1988. Dr. O’Guin is married to his beautiful wife, Janice (also a graduate of Sam Houston State University). They have two children, Michael Jr. (a graduate of Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX, and currently an assistant football coach at Texas State University in San Marcos, TX), and Jhanae (a graduate of Prairie View A&M University in Prairie View, TX, B.S. Psychology, the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston, a Masters of Public Health Administration, and St. Georges University – Doctor of Medicine) a Resident Doctor at Nashville General Hospital in Nashville, Tennessee. They have one grandchild, Layla Michelle, with whom they enjoy spending time.
Phone: 979-532-6207
Email: moguin@whartonisd.net