in Houston’s Fifth Ward. Doris Vela ’13 has opened one early childhood center and is in the process of opening a second one. Michelle Hicks ’12 serves as career coordinator for Pearland ISD, and Rob Wise ’12 is an assistant principal at Friendswood High School. “I attended UST as a classroom teacher in pursuit of the principal certification,” Wise said. “The difference for me from other programs was the attention to detail and academic excellence that UST expects of its students. But even more important was the emphasis on educating leaders of faith and character. Being able to work in an academic environment where I felt at ease discussing matters of faith was very important to me, and UST encouraged this type of experience and discussion.”
“Key social justice teachings are present throughout our leadership coursework,” said Dr. Virginia Leiker, director of the Educational Leadership program. The 36-hour MEd program is designed to develop master classroom teachers, instructional specialists and school leaders who demonstrate the ability to translate and apply educational research in instructional settings. The master’s program in educational leadership was accredited by the Teacher Education Accreditation Council in 2011-12. “Key social justice teachings are present throughout our leadership coursework,” said Dr. Virginia Leiker, director of the Educational Leadership program. “I believe strong leadership requires a moral foundation, and I feel more comfortable talking about ethics and morality at the University of St. Thomas versus a public university. It is an important part of the discourse here.” To ensure students are ready to offer authentic leadership, UST tests their
understanding of “ethical leadership” as a core competency that must be mastered before they graduate. Leiker said the faculty use case studies to evaluate and discuss real situations that require students to make decisions using ethical judgment. For example, given the high stakes of testing as a measure of success that affects school funding, the faculty emphasize that it is never okay to adjust scores to meet goals. “We provide students with scenarios that clarify and confirm for them that this is not an appropriate option,” Leiker said. “You’d think this would be understood, but students will be faced with temptations like this in the real world in which they will lead.” In addition to the valuable use of case studies, the program is also strengthened by the practical and extensive leadership experience of the faculty. “Instructors are either former or current practitioners; they have experience doing exactly what they’re teaching,” Leiker said. On their exit surveys, students consistently note the value of having faculty members who have “walked in their shoes.” Students who are completing the program with a cohort group also note this feature as a significant strength. “I love the small classes” said Ilsa Adriana Villarreal, instructional coordinator for Joe E. Moreno Elementary School in HISD. “My cohort has nine people, and we work great together. We learn a lot from each other every week and take it back to implement it on our own campuses. I am ready to start my fourth class and am eager to see what awaits me.” Villarreal began the MEd program in fall 2012 and plans to complete it by the summer of 2014. In the December exit survey, one student summed up the program this way: “I graduated feeling complete and ready for the next journey.”
Alumnus Robert LeBlanc Named Education Dean Dr. Robert LeBlanc, UST associate professor of education, is the new dean of the School of Education. LeBlanc has been on the faculty since 2002 and was dean from 2008-2011. LeBlanc received a master’s and doctorate degree in education from The University of Houston. He worked in a variety of positions in Klein Independent School District for 25 years, last serving as the associate superintendent for instruction and student services. His areas of interest and research are instructional design, education legal issues in K-12 schools and development of ethical problem-solving abilities in current and future school leaders. In the School of Education, LeBlanc initiated an innovative program called the Gulf Region Academy for Catholic Educators, or GRACE. He has received numerous other professional awards including a special recognition award from The University of Houston and an Educational Leadership Award from the Houston Suburban Chapter of Texas Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development. He and his wife, Rebecca ’70, are recipients of the Rev. Vincent J. Guinan, CSB, Distinguished Alumni Award for 2006 from the University of St. Thomas Alumni Association.
– Michelle Morris, EdD 17