Who We Are

David Kauffman is an educational leader committed to pursuing equitable opportunity and achievement for all students through inclusive and culturally sustaining practices. He previously served as the Executive Director for Multilingual Education for Austin ISD, leading the improvement and expansion of Dual Language and English as a Second Language programs and supervising campus principals, the World Languages program, the International Welcome Center, Refugee Family Support Services, Translation, and Bilingual/ESL Compliance. He was awarded the 2025 Texas Association for Bilingual Education (TABE) Jesse Romero's Dragon Slayer Public Education Award and the 2022 Austin Area Association for Bilingual Education (AAABE) Public Education Award. 

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David was the founding principal of L.Cpl. Nicholas S. Perez Elementary, a two-way dual language school and an early adopter of outdoor learning and the district's Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) program. He was honored as the district Principal of the Year and the Communities in Schools "Best in Texas" Principal. The school received the John F. Ahrns Award for Environmental Education and was honored as the district's Parent Teacher Association (PTA) of the Year.

David currently is

• the Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources and School Leadership for Navarro ISD,

• a part-time Assistant Professor of Practice in the Texas Principal Leadership Academy at the University of Texas at Austin, and

• an elected School Board Trustee for the Austin Independent School District.

He has served as an award-winning public school teacher, school improvement coach, and educational researcher. He holds Texas certifications for Superintendent and Principal. He earned an undergraduate degree from Stanford University and master's and doctorate degrees from the Harvard University Graduate School of Education.

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David lives in Austin with his family and dogs. He enjoys hiking, live music, and reading -- and pursuing equitable educational opportunities and achievement for all!

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"Your work to move the needle on serving our kids...has been instrumental in the work towards 'equity' for our community. ...[Y]ou moved the needle and you did so in such a thoughtful, respectable, and powerful way that touched the lives of many in your journey." ~ Parent & Dual Language Advocate