By Joshua Koch
Public Communications
Humble ISD Director of Advanced Learning and Services Dr. Tong Utakrit was honored as a 2025 “Top 4 Under 40” in the Lake Houston Area by Partnership Lake Houston.
Dr. Utakrit was honored at a luncheon on Tuesday, May 20, where he was presented with his award.
“I think this is just a testament to the work of the team, the work of all the individuals that make sure that we're doing our absolute best for our students, so that when they walk across that graduation stage, that's not the end of the story for them,” Dr. Utakrit said about the award. “All the accolades goes to my team that are doing the work to help break down the barriers for our kids. It goes to this district and the leadership of this district.”
“I feel very much blessed that I get to represent the district in that way.”
Every year, Partnership Lake Houston selects four individuals under the age of 40 and honors them for their influence and service to the area. Partnership Lake Houston is the chamber of commerce and economic development for Atascocita, Humble, Kingwood, Summerwood, and Fall Creek.
When Dr. Utakrit was 18 months old, his family immigrated to the United States from Thailand. His family had $1,000 to their name when they arrived. His father delivered pizzas for Domino’s as they lived with his aunt and uncle in El Paso, Texas. His mother learned English watching Sesame Street while taking care of him and his two cousins.
“They came here for opportunity,” Dr. Utakrit said.
Through his school years, Dr. Utakrit has had great educators pour into his life, which fueled his desire to go to college as he attended Texas A&M University. Initially, Dr. Utakrit wanted to be a medical doctor but then had a calling to work with young people, which led to education.
In 2007, Dr. Utakrit obtained his Bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from Texas A&M and came to work in Humble ISD at Atascocita Middle School as a science teacher. His journey through Humble ISD would take him on a path to open Woodcreek Middle School as the Department Chair for Science, becoming a testing coordinator at WMS and then transition into a district role with Instructional Technology.
After working in education outside of Humble ISD for several years, in June of 2021 Dr. Utakrit returned and assumed the role of Director of Advanced Learning – the position he still holds today.
“When I look at our community, one of the greatest things about Humble is just how diverse we are as a district,” Dr. Utakrit said. “We're approaching 50,000 kids, and all those 50,000 kids have their own stories, and have their own backgrounds, and one of the absolute benefits of public education is that it doesn't matter your background. It doesn't matter your family’s circumstances, right? Our charge is to educate you so that you can be successful.”
Along the way, Dr. Utakrit earned his Master’s Degree in Education Administration from Lamar University and his Doctorate in Education Leadership from the American College of Education.
Dr. Utakrit also found other leadership building opportunities through the Humble ISD Aspiring Leaders Academy and Partnership Lake Houston’s Leadership Lake Houston Program as a member and President of Class 12.
“I loved my Leadership Lake Houston experience,” Dr. Utakrit said. “Just from being a part of the community, understanding where education fits in the broader community, and getting to network with people in the community for the benefit of our students.”
In his role, Dr. Utakrit has overseen the implementation and growth of the AVID Program, University of Texas OnRamps and the Humble ISD Dual Credit Summer Academy. His Advanced Learning department also aids families in understanding Advanced Placement classes, Dual-Credit Courses and Core Complete options to the fullest extent and the opportunities they present.
“I think about my story and we didn’t have any of that knowledge.That opportunity knowledge,” Dr. Utakrit said. “I didn't know college, I didn't know the process, I didn't know financial aid, I didn't know advanced courses, and we just had to kind of navigate that. And that's why I think it's important now that our department is represented when campuses do CCMR nights or parent informational nights or when the district hosts our college fair. I want to make sure that our department is there and conducting sessions to close the opportunity knowledge gap for students and families.”
Education has allowed Dr. Utakrit to reach this point of his career. And for Dr. Utakrit, who is completing his 11th year with Humble ISD and 18th in education, his role now is the way he gives to the next generation of students who may have similar stories as his.
“I feel like I've gotten to live the American dream,” Dr. Utakrit said. “We came to this country with literally nothing to our family's name and because of education, getting to be where I am, this is just something that I feel like I get to do to pay it forward for people here in our community.”