for Holdsworth Center Partnership

The Holdsworth Center, an Austin-based nonprofit focused on leadership in public education, has selected Corpus Christi ISD to join the Holdsworth Partnership, a multi-year investment to build stronger principals and help Corpus Christi ISD create its own best-in-class principal pipeline system.

Corpus Christi ISD is among seven districts across the state selected to participate in Holdsworth’s world-class leadership development programs.

“Corpus Christi ISD demonstrated a strong commitment to developing leaders and a growth mindset around learning new concepts,” said Dr. Lindsay Whorton, president of The Holdsworth Center. “The goal is to help the expert educators in Corpus Christi ISD become skilled, visionary district and school leaders who can provide the support teachers and students need to thrive. Great leaders draw out the best in people and inspire them to achieve the unimaginable. Leadership is not a skill people are born with – it can be taught and honed through day-to-day practice.”

As part of the Partnership, Corpus Christi ISD leaders will participate in the District Leadership and Campus Leadership Programs to receive the inspiration, tools and resources needed to grow their skills and drive positive change.

In addition, Holdsworth District Support Team members will embed within central office to help create a bench of strong principals. Every time there is a principal opening, the goal is for Corpus Christi ISD to have at least two strong leaders ready to step into the role and make an impact for students from Day One.

Research shows that effective principals can significantly impact student outcomes by creating the conditions for teachers to thrive. Because principals influence the working conditions and skill level of every teacher in the building, their impact is outsized.

“Our experience with Holdsworth’s inaugural Leadership Collaborative was invaluable,” said Superintendent Dr. Roland Hernandez. “We are honored to have been selected for the Holdsworth Partnership, which will help us continue the important work of developing our leaders for the benefit of our students and staff.”

In surveys, 100 percent of alumni respondents said they were stronger leaders because of the skills gained through Holdsworth and were more effective at leading change and delivering excellent and equitable outcomes for students. One hundred percent of superintendents surveyed rate their leadership pipeline as stronger after partnering with Holdsworth for at least three years.

Campuses receive Laura Bush Foundation grant

Several Corpus Christi ISD campuses received a $5,000 grant from the Laura Bush Foundation for America’s Libraries. The campuses were among 300 schools from 36 states across the country.

The following campuses received the grant:

• T.G. Allen Elementary School

• C.P. Yeager Elementary School

• Carl O. Hamlin Middle School

• Student Support Center

This year, the Laura Bush Foundation for America’s Libraries awarded $1.5 million in library grants this year.

“Congratulations to the 2023 Laura Bush Foundation Grant Recipients! I am thrilled that school librarians across the country will soon be able to update their library collections,” Mrs. Laura Bush said.