In his first column as CUBE Chair, Joel Rodriguez discusses his lifelong commitment to supporting equitable and innovative solutions for students in urban and urban-like communities and his support for bold, creative strategies to transform their schools.
September 15, 2025
DISTRICT ADMINISTRATORS, TEACHERS, BOARD MEMBERS, AND STUDENTS FROM THE SCHOOL CITY OF EAST CHICAGO ACCEPTED A MAGNA AWARD DURING NSBA’S 2025 ANNUAL CONFERENCE.
PHOTO CREDIT: NSBA
I am truly honored and energized to serve as your Council of Urban Boards of Education (CUBE) Chair. This role marks a significant milestone in my lifelong commitment to supporting equitable and innovative solutions for our students in urban school districts.
Growing up in East Chicago, Indiana, a steel city rich in diversity, I learned early the importance of community, perseverance, and collective effort. Just 22 miles from downtown Chicago and near Lake Michigan, East Chicago shaped my understanding of urban challenges and the power of resilience.
Sports played a key role in shaping my youth; boxing was my passion. Through it, I learned discipline, teamwork, and determination. East Chicago produced notable boxers like World Boxing Union Champ Angel Manfredy and Golden Gloves Champion Alvin Torres, great friends of mine growing up, who inspired me to pursue excellence by not giving up. In 1986, I proudly won a Chicago Golden Gloves boxing title. I ended my career with a record of 73 wins and 13 losses. To this day, I hold fast to the lessons that boxing taught me—that success depends on collective strength, perseverance, and believing in yourself that you can do better.
In 2013, I joined the School City of East Chicago’s school board. I believe that equitable access to quality education is the foundation for thriving communities. That belief fueled my decision to run for the board. My approach has always focused on community involvement, working with local businesses and stakeholders, and fostering partnerships that benefit our children and schools. I am motivated by the philosophy that “It takes a village to raise a child,” and see my role as a bridge, connecting community strengths with school needs.
My role as a school board member led me to my journey at the national level. I served as a regional director for NSBA’s National Hispanic Council, a steering committee member for CUBE, and now, as chair. These roles have deepened my understanding of urban education’s complexities and strengthened my resolve to lead positive change. CUBE was founded over 55 years ago to support school board members and educational leaders in urban and diverse communities.
As CUBE chair, I aim to support bold, innovative strategies to transform urban education. One key focus is data-driven resource equity, such as using data and artificial intelligence to identify real-time resource gaps. With this information, we can help deliver tailored support for each school, whether that’s advanced technology, mental health services, or extracurricular programs.
Another of my priorities is expanding access to digital and experiential learning. By incorporating augmented reality and virtual reality experiences, we can broaden access to real-world skills, cultural understanding, and innovative thinking, especially in under-resourced communities. I also want to establish mentorship and leadership pipelines. I envision programs connecting urban students with mentors, professionals from their communities, helping them navigate pathways to college, careers in STEM, arts, and entrepreneurship.
Looking ahead, my goal is to deepen collaboration, advocate for sustainable funding, and elevate student voices at the national level. I want urban schools to be hubs of innovation, equity, and hope, places where every child has the opportunity to thrive no matter their ZIP code.
Together, we can make a difference. Our public schools are the backbone of our communities, and it’s our shared responsibility to ensure they flourish. I am proud to serve in this role, working alongside dedicated leaders committed to shaping a brighter future for our children.
From the boxing ring to the boardroom, my journey has shown me that leadership is rooted in resilience, community, and belief in potential. I am excited about what we can accomplish together, transforming urban education into a beacon of opportunity for generations to come.
Thank you for your trust. Let us move forward boldly, collaboratively, and with hope.
Joel Rodriguez (CUBEChair@nsba.org) is the 2025-27 chair of the CUBE Steering Committee and a member of Indiana’s School City of East Chicago Board of Trustees.