David H. Gonzalez was born and raised in Laredo. He graduated from J. W. Nixon High School, where he was a captain of the Mustangs football team. He attended Laredo Junior College, now Laredo College, and graduated from Laredo State University, now Texas A&M International University. He earned a Master of Science in Educational Administration in 1998 from Texas A&M International University and a Superintendent’s Certification.
  
After working with Chick-fil-A Incorporated in Atlanta, Georgia, he returned to Laredo and began his career in education as an English teacher and as a member of the Varsity Coaching Staff in Football, Girls Basketball, and Varsity Track at Nixon High School. In 1999, Mr. Gonzalez began his administrative career as an assistant principal at Martin High School. He joined United Independent School District the following year as an Assistant Principal at Alexander High School and Lyndon B. Johnson High School. In 2005, the UISD Board of Trustees named him the Principal of George Washington Middle School.

Under his leadership, the campus experienced significant academic growth in all state accountability areas.  Mr. Gonzalez attributes student academic success to his heart-felt belief that  “It was not only about Reading, Writing, and Arithmetic.” “Our school was all about our students.” During his tenure at Washington Middle, he worked closely with all district support staff, parents, and students to build a strong campus community. Under his leadership, his team of administrators, support staff, teachers, and students, attained a TEA “Recognized” campus status numerous times through the support of his campus community of caring parents and families.

His success as an effective academic leader was recognized in 2011 and 2014, as Region 1’s Middle School Principal of the Year. In 2011, he competed at the state level, for the HEB Excellence in Education Award, and was selected as The Texas Secondary Principal of the Year. Mr. Gonzalez has always maintained that any honors he has received were a direct reflection of a successful team effort of the campus community.

In 2014, the United ISD Board of Trustees selected Mr. Gonzalez as the district’s Executive Director for Middle School Instruction. A year later, the UISD Board demonstrated their trust in Gonzalez by naming him Associate Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, where he served for seven years. During this time, Mr. Gonzalez continued his keen vision of collaborative work with district officials, administration, teachers, students, and community leaders. He spearheaded initiatives that made a positive influence on the lives of many. 

While he was the Executive Director of Middle Schools, he implemented a program called “Meet in the Middle” to promote acceptance and unity for all special needs students at all UISD Middle Schools. When he took charge of the Curriculum and Instruction department, he spread this initiative to every UISD campus, and the name was changed to “Project Unify.” 

In 2015, Mr. Gonzalez was recognized by the Special Olympics of Texas for Outstanding Service from a Community Leader. Mr. Gonzalez’s love of students with special needs has led to a partnership with the Special Olympics. In 2018, the district began the “Polar Plunge” challenge. This endeavor allows principals and various district leaders the opportunity to either swim or be drenched in cold- water while raising funds for Special Olympics.

During his tenure as Associate Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, United ISD obtained an “A” rating in 2018 and 2019. The district’s graduation rates continue to surpass the regional, state, and national scores. “These scores mean that our students have been able to embrace the teaching of our UISD teachers and that the campus leadership positively collaborates with parents,” Gonzalez states.

In 2019, Mr. Gonzalez and staff presented at the Texas Association of School Administrators’ yearly Mid-Winter Conference on the systems which the district has in place for continued academic success. In December 2020, the Texas School Business, “Bragging Rights “ edition, featured Mr. Gonzalez and staff in their “Signs of Suicide” initiative which was one of Gonzalez’s initiatives to address students’ mental health, and a descriptive program to address suicide. In March of 2021, the Texas Association of School Administrators Professional Journal, (TASA) recognized Mr. David Gonzalez as one of four “Inspiring Leaders” in Texas.

He is a member of the Executive Board for United Way and a member of St. Peter's the Apostle Catholic Church. He has been a Regional Judge for HEB Excellence in Education and was one of the keynote speakers for the Special Olympics at the national conference in 2017.

Mr. David H. Gonzalez was named United ISD Superintendent of Schools in July of 2021. One year later, the district received its third consecutive “A” rating from the Texas Education Agency.

In the words of educator Ignacio Estrada, “If a child cannot learn the way we teach, maybe we should teach the way they learn.” Gonzalez says, “Teaching the way students learn is what United ISD is all about. The focus will always be on the students and the importance of creating well-rounded people who will play an important and successful role in our community. A community is only as good and successful as its people.”