Victor Sampson

Victor Sampson earned a high school diploma from Lake Washington High School, a bachelor's degree in biology from the University of Washington in 1997, a master's degree in education from Seattle University in 1999, and a Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction from Arizona State University in 2007. Sampson's career experience includes serving as the Chief Innovation Officer for Argument-Driven Inquiry, an associate professor of STEM education, and a science teacher.[1][2]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Victor Sampson is an educator, researcher, and former classroom teacher running for the Texas State Board of Education because Texas students and teachers deserve schools built on trust, learning, and opportunity. With more than 20 years of experience in teaching, research, curriculum design, and teacher development, Victor brings unmatched expertise in how students learn and how schools improve.

Victor believes students are capable thinkers and teachers are trusted professionals. He rejects deficit-based thinking and supports policies that empower educators and inspire students. As a professor and learning scientist, he has worked with districts across Texas to develop curriculum and professional learning that center curiosity, belonging, and deep understanding.

Victor is running because the current direction of Texas education policy is overly political and disconnected from research. Students are pushed to memorize instead of think. Teachers are constrained instead of supported. Accountability measures test performance instead of opportunity and growth.

As an SBOE member, Victor will fight for standards that build thinkers, accountability that reflects what families value, and schools that inspire confidence, creativity, and purpose. He offers Texas a hopeful, research-driven path forward rooted in trust, learning, and belief in our students.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Texas schools should help students think, create, and solve problems rather than just memorize answers. Our standards, accountability systems, and policies must reflect what real learning looks like. I am running to ensure Texas education is built on research, critical thinking, and opportunity so every student can grow into a confident, capable problem solver.Teachers are professionals who deserve respect, autonomy, and meaningful support. Instead of micromanagement and political interference, we should empower educators to collaborate, innovate, and lead. Strong schools are built by strong teachers.Public education is a promise to every child, not a marketplace for profit. I will protect public schools from privatization, defend local communities, and fight for accountability systems that value belonging, engagement, and growth. When we invest in public schools, we invest in Texas’ future.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am most passionate about education policy that puts learning, equity, and opportunity first. I care deeply about curriculum standards that build thinkers, not memorizers; accountability systems that reflect growth, belonging, and support; and policies that trust educators as professionals. I am committed to protecting public education from privatization, strengthening teacher preparation, and ensuring every child has access to meaningful, inclusive, high-quality learning. Education is the foundation of our democracy, economy, and communities, and I believe policy must be guided by research, expertise, and the real needs of students and families, not politics or ideology.

Campaign websiteSampson's campaign website stated the following:My platform1. Standards That Build ThinkersTexas standards should help students analyze, design, create, and solve problems—not memorize disconnected facts. We must prioritize deep understanding and disciplinary thinking.​2. Learning That Students Want to Be Part OfMotivation, relevance, and belonging matter. Schools should foster curiosity, creativity, and joy in learning—not disengagement. 3. Learning Over ComplianceEducation policy should support learning, not police schools. Accountability must measure growth, opportunity, and meaningful outcomes—not just test scores. 4. Trust and Empower TeachersTeachers are professionals. They deserve autonomy, collaboration, and meaningful support—not constant mandates and micromanagement. 5. Invest in What WorksFunding should support high-quality instructional materials, professional learning, student services, and emerging needs—guided by research and outcomes. 6. Innovation Over TraditionWe can’t prepare students for the future with outdated models. Texas should encourage innovation in teaching and learning. 7. Accountability That Reflects What We ValueHigh-stakes testing doesn’t tell the full story. We should listen to students and families and measure what truly matters.— Victor Sampson's campaign website (January 16, 2026)Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.