TA big fight over what happened in the “equity training”
by Jim Walsh
he dissenting opinion in a recent 8th Circuit decision carries a warning:
Public employee training will now be fraught with uncertainty. An employer who trains on any subject from any point of view, while requiring employees to be professional, is subject to a federal lawsuit by an employee who disagrees with the training and keeps quiet.
What’s this about?
Two employees in the Springfield R-12 School District in Missouri alleged that their constitutional rights were violated when their employer “shamed” them into silence because they disagreed with the presenters on some issues. For example, Ms. Henderson (soon to be known as “the plaintiff”) and the presenter disagreed about Kyle Rittenhouse.
You probably remember Kyle Rittenhouse. He became a culture war flashpoint in 2020 when, at age 17, he traveled from Illinois to Kenosha, Wisconsin, where he shot three men, killing two, during a Black Lives Matter protest. When Mr. Rittenhouse’s name came up in the training, Ms. Henderson expressed the view that he had acted in self-defense. She was not out of line to hold that view. The jury came to the same conclusion when Mr. Rittenhouse was tried for homicide. But the presenter, who was hired by Springfield R-12 School District, informed Ms. Henderson that she was “confused” and “wrong” about that. Henderson alleged that she self-censored after this dialogue with the presenter out of fear that she would be asked to leave the training and get no credit for attendance.
This was mandatory training, for which employees were paid and received
professional development credit. But the training included a slide that set out Guiding Principles, including this warning: Be professional — or be asked to leave with no credit.
This training produced spirited litigation that advanced to the 8th Circuit and included multiple amicus briefs from advocacy groups and attorneys general from many states. The lower court ruled that the plaintiffs had suffered no injury, and thus lacked standing to pursue the case. They may have felt shamed and fearful, but they were paid, and there was no adverse action taken against them. In fact, the lower court went further, declaring the suit frivolous and awarding the school district almost $313,000 in attorneys’ fees.
In 2024, a panel of the 8th Circuit affirmed the dismissal of the case, but reversed the award of attorneys’ fees, holding that it was not “frivolous.” Then the matter went to the Circuit Court en banc, meaning that all of the judges would be involved. That produced a new opinion, this time in favor of the plaintiffs. By a 6-5 margin, the court held that the plaintiffs had alleged facts that should be given their day in court. Key quote:
The record contains evidence indicating the plaintiffs stopped voicing their opinions and selfcensored when it became apparent that their opposing views were considered unacceptable by the school district and were not only being rejected by the trainers but met with hostility from the trainers, who were employed by the school district.
The majority emphasized that its decision “is not about the ability of the school
The record contains evidence indicating the plaintiffs stopped voicing their opinions and self-censored when it became apparent that their opposing views were considered unacceptable by the school district and were not only being rejected by the trainers but met with hostility from the trainers, who were employed by the school district.
district to take issues regarding race and discrimination seriously or to educate students about those issues.” But the decision is one more indication of the need to review training materials, and the trainers, particularly at any training for which attendance is mandatory.
The case is Henderson v. Springfield R-12 School District, decided by the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals on Dec. 30, 2025. It’s currently cited at 2025 WL 3762347.
JIM WALSH is an attorney with Walsh Gallegos Kyle Robinson & De Los Santos P.C. He can be reached at jwalsh@wabsa.com. You can also follow him on X: @jwalshtxlawdawg.
Who’s News
Allen ISD
Superintendent Robin Bullock, who has led Allen ISD since 2020, has announced her upcoming retirement, effective at the close of the current school year. She came to the district in 2013 as an assistant superintendent after assignments in Red Oak, Duncanville and Midlothian ISDs and in Alabama schools.
Argyle ISD
Former Carroll ISD employee Whitney Wheeler, who led Durham Intermediate School, has been tapped to serve as principal of Argyle ISD’s newest middle school, scheduled to open for the 2026-27 school year.
Austin ISD
The district has announced the following principal appointments:
• Travis Barrett, Sanchez Elementary School;
• Elaine Navarro, Odom Elementary School;
• Paula Noe, Pecan Springs Elementary School;
• Leyla Olano, Wooten Elementary School;
• Kara Schultz, Pickle Elementary School.
Bastrop ISD
Athan Schindler, director of safety and security, comes to Bastrop ISD with two decades of experience in emergency management, risk mitigation and organizational leadership. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Albany and his master’s degree from the University of Texas.
Brooks County ISD
An interim superintendent has been named for Brooks County ISD. Ricardo Garcia is a longtime employee of the district with previous assignments in classroom and administrative areas. He was principal of Falfurrias Elementary School.
Brownsville ISD
Brownsville has announced the appointment of Rosario Peña as the district’s chief financial officer. She has more than three decades of experience with the district, most recently serving as director of procurement services.
Bryan ISD
The Bryan High School Vikings now have Blake Joseph as head football coach and athletic coordinator. A former Viking himself, he went on to attend and play football at the University of Houston and Sam Houston State University. Before returning to Bryan, he was head coach at Magnolia ISD’s Magnolia West High School and coached in Temple and Caldwell ISDs. Most recently, he served in Denton ISD as offensive coordinator at Guyer High.
Canutillo ISD
The district’s newly appointed superintendent, Josue Borrego, comes to El Paso from Houston ISD, where he was an associate superintendent. His career has also included Dallas ISD, where he was an assistant principal and principal. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Baptist University of the Americas and a master’s degree and doctorate from Dallas Baptist University.
Now leading Canutillo Middle School as principal is Andrea Esparza, a 20year education veteran. Most recently principal of Canutillo Elementary School, she previously worked in El Paso ISD as a testing coordinator, teacher and coach. She earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Texas at El Paso.
Carroll ISD
Komal Panjabi has been tapped to serve as interim principal of Eubanks Intermediate School. She has been with the district for 10 years, seven of those as a teacher at Durham Intermediate and three as an assistant principal at Carroll High School. She has a bachelor’s degree from James Madison University and a master’s degree from New York University.
Paul Pinson has come out of retirement to accept the role of interim principal of Durham Intermediate School. He was an employee of the district since 2001, initially teaching and coaching at Carroll Senior High and going on to serve as an academic coordinator and assistant principal until his retirement in 2022.
Cushing ISD
Stefani Jackson has been promoted from assistant superintendent to superintendent. She previously served the district as an elementary principal, middle and high school associate principal, testing coordinator, and curriculum director.
Cypress-Fairbanks ISD
Former Pflugerville ISD chief of staff Brandy Baker now serves in that capacity in Cypress-Fairbanks ISD. The 24-year educator began her career as a math and science teacher and later worked for the Texas Youth Commission. She went on to serve as an associate principal and school improvement facilitator in Austin ISD, then spent five years in Hutto ISD. She is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma with two master’s degrees from South Dakota State University.
Justin Nichols has been promoted from associate principal of Cypress Park High School to principal of Truitt Middle School. He has spent his 17-year career in the district, also working as a classroom teacher, assistant principal and coach. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Texas A&M University.
Era ISD
Era ISD’s new superintendent, Jeff Webb, began his career in 1994 in Tom Bean ISD and took his first administrative position four years later. Since that time, he has served as a principal at the middle and high school levels and spent the past 12 years as associate superintendent for human resources and student services in Royse City ISD. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from East Texas State University.
Georgetown ISD
Georgetown ISD has named Holly Pazos interim principal of Purl Elementary School. She has been a member of the GISD team since 2022, serving as assistant principal of Wolf Ranch Elementary until 2024, when she became San Gabriel Elementary’s inaugural assistant principal. She is a graduate of Texas Tech University with a master’s degree in school administration and leadership from Lamar University.
Granbury ISD
Wes Jones, Granbury ISD’s director of human resources since 2016, has retired. He spent the final 10 years of his 39-year career in the district after serving as superintendent of Chireno ISD and working in Freer and Nacogdoches ISDs.
The district’s new executive director of human resources is Tim Rocka. Most recently deputy superintendent of Carthage ISD, he also was director of CTE (career and technical education) at Whitehouse ISD. In addition, he held administrative positions in Bryan, Brenham, Cypress-Fairbanks, Jacksonville and Palestine ISDs. He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Stephen F. Austin State University and a doctorate from Texas A&M University.
Humble ISD
Now serving as Humble ISD’s director of network services is Chad Greene, who comes to Humble from Klein ISD, where he was director of technology operations. He is a graduate of Nebraska’s Concordia University.
The Humble ISD school board has approved Shana Perry as associate superintendent for school improvement and compliance. Most recently an associate superintendent in Houston ISD, she has also served as an executive director for Oklahoma City (Okla.) City Public Schools. In addition, she has worked in schools in Kansas and Germany. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Oklahoma City University, her master’s degree from the University of Central Oklahoma, and her doctorate from Oklahoma State University.
Ingram ISD
Justin Turner has been welcomed as superintendent of Ingram ISD. The 21-year educator has served as a classroom teacher, campus administrator and superintendent in Texas districts.
Jarrell ISD
The district’s new assistant director of transportation is Zyania Varela, who brings 17 years of experience in school transportation to the job.
Katy ISD has initiated a new learning program, Innovative Pathways, and installed Kelley Kirila as its principal. She spent the past six years leading the district’s Miller Career and Technology Center and previously held instructional and administrative positions in Fort Bend ISD and Lamar CISD.
Richard Merriman has taken on the role of principal of Cardiff Junior High, bringing almost two decades of experience to his new job. In Katy ISD, he has been a teacher at Mayde Creek Junior High, associate principal of Katy High School, and principal of the Raines Academy.
Keller ISD
Josh Boyd, who was Keller Collegiate Academy’s interim principal since August, is now principal. He was the school’s assistant principal when it opened in 2021 and previously held the same position at the Keller Center for Advanced Learning. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Hardin-Simmons University and his master’s degree in educational leadership from the University of Texas Permian Basin. A new assistant superintendent of elementary education is in place for Keller ISD. Airemy Caudle was most recently Godley ISD’s chief academic officer, previously working as a teacher in Hurst-Euless-Bedford ISD and as a principal in Hillsboro, Cleburne and Castleberry ISDs. Her master’s degree was awarded by the University of Texas at Arlington and her doctorate in educational leadership from the University of North Texas.
Shannon Crawford, former secondary literacy coordinator, has been promoted to director of curriculum and instruction. Prior to joining Keller ISD in 2022, she worked in Grapevine-Colleyville ISD. She is a graduate of Baylor University with a master’s degree in educational leadership and policy studies from the University of Texas at Arlington.
Killeen ISD
Miguel Timarky has taken on the role of interim principal of Killeen High School. The longtime educator previously spent five years as principal of Copperas Cove High in Copperas Cove ISD and most recently led Killeen ISD’s Pathways Academic Campus.
Lamar CISD
The new principal of Randle High School is 13-year educator Sherryl Anthony, who most recently led Wright Junior High. She has also served as a classroom teacher, academic facilitator and assistant principal. She is a graduate of Texas A&M University with a master’s degree from the University of Houston at Victoria.
After serving as assistant principal of Carter Elementary School, Aerika Dial has been named acting principal. She has been an educator for 23 years, including stints as a classroom teacher, instructional coach and assistant principal. She holds a master’s degree in educational leadership from the University of Houston.
Julie Jackson is now acting principal of Haygood Elementary School after serving as assistant principal of Adolphus Elementary. She has a bachelor’s degree from the University of North Alabama and a master’s degree from the University of Houston at Victoria.
The new acting principal of Wright Junior High, Trameasha Strickland, comes to her new job from Terry High School, where she was associate principal. A product of Lamar CISD schools, she went on to earn a master’s degree in educational administration.
Leander ISD
Chris Clark has been named Leander ISD’s acting superintendent. Most recently the district’s deputy superintendent of learning and innovation, he previously served as an administrator in Frisco and McKinney ISDs and in Oklahoma’s Tulsa Public Schools. He is a graduate of Northeastern State University with a master’s degree from Oklahoma State University and a doctorate in educational leadership from the University of North Texas.
Superintendent Bruce Gearing has announced his upcoming retirement, effective the end of the academic year, after holding the top position in the district since 2019.
The former Region 13 Superintendent of the Year previously led Dripping Springs and Marshall ISDs.
Katy ISD
wills
It’s been six years since COVID-19 first made headline news, and if one symptom of the pandemic seems to persist for Texas public schools, it’s an increase in chronic absenteeism. That reality, combined with decreased enrollment, often caused by increased housing costs, continues to put schools in budget deficits and keep them there. When funding is tied to attendance, attendance is lagging, and schools are already struggling to keep afloat financially, the issue of getting and keeping students in the classroom becomes paramount to administrators.
Districts construct strategies to combat truancy, low enrollment and chronic absenteeism
by Dacia Rivers
According to the TEA, nearly 20% of students were considered chronically absent in the 2023-24 school year. Pre-COVID, that number was closer to 11%. For some districts, that rate is even higher than the average, especially districts with greater numbers of economically disadvantaged students, who are more likely to accumulate frequent absences.
Pflugerville ISD
In response, many districts have had to come up with creative ways to attract new students and encourage enrolled students to
show up to class consistently. In Pflugerville ISD, north of Austin, the one-two punch of low enrollment and increased absenteeism came to a head when the district had to consider possibly closing one of its campuses: River Oaks Elementary. At the time, River Oaks had a 25% rate of chronic absenteeism and attendance sat at 92%. The school is surrounded by a number of charter schools and close enough to Austin ISD that some students were transferring to that district instead of staying in PfISD. The district was facing a budget deficit of millions of dollars, and
Students in Pflugerville ISD earn donut parties for meeting attendance goals.
people in the local community wanted to know the school’s future.
“It was a perfect storm of all the things that could possibly come at a district,” says Alma Gonzalez, assistant superintendent in PfISD. “The community and the staff were willing to do everything and anything to ensure that the campus remained open.”
Faced with possible closure at the end of the 2022-23 school year, River Oaks became ground zero for action in the district.
Gonzalez met with Principal Jennifer Garza for several candid, crucial conversations about how the school could better engage with the local community to drive enrollment and attendance.
First tackling low enrollment, River Oaks held a Popsicles in the Park event in the summer, where Garza and all of the teachers at the school split themselves between four local parks where families could meet the teachers and administrators, learn about the opportunities the school offers, and enjoy a free Popsicle.
The event, combined with in-person principal-led campus tours for families, paid off. In 2023-24, River Oaks had an enrollment of 390 students. This year, the campus has 530 students enrolled. Another change that Garza credits with helping grow enrollment is the opening of a duallanguage program on the campus.
With enrollment increased, the next step was to combat the high number of absences. To Garza, getting the students excited about attending school was key. Working with teachers, she added several attendance incentives, such as donut parties as attendance rewards. Students who hit certain attendance goals can now choose between a donut party, dance party, extra recess time, or lunch with the principal. Garza also says the school plans fun events on Mondays and Fridays — the days students are most likely to be absent.
In addition, campus staff identified 19 students with chronic absenteeism (missing more than 10% of school days in a year) and decided to focus on 17 of them, pairing each with a buddy — a teacher or administrator at the school.
Each buddy has a punch card for their student. Garza is a buddy to a student, and each day she goes and looks for that child at school. When the student is present, they receive a punch on their card. After accumulating 10 punches, that student receives a prize.
Buddies will also call parents personally if their student isn’t at school, kindly reminding them that their students are
missed and how the classroom feels incomplete without their presence.
With enrollment and attendance back on the upswing, PfISD administration implemented new programs to further entice students and their families to choose PfISD. Being next to the tech hub that is Austin, the district has focused on bringing innovative opportunities to students. They are creating a Comp 3 (computer science, computational thinking and computing) pipeline that will start at River Oaks, getting elementary students engaged in STEM learning. These students will then be prepared for the technology applications available at PfISD middle schools and eventually the high school CTE pathways in computer science and cybersecurity.
‘We always have to keep on brand. We are always finding innovative ways to keep the students interested.’
—Bianca Becker, Pflugerville ISD
Students receive hands-on instruction in Frisco ISD.
“We always have to keep on brand,” says Bianca Becker, director of instructional technology in the district. “We are always finding innovative ways to keep the students interested.”
The hard work has paid off at River Oaks — that 92% attendance rate has risen to 94%, and chronic absenteeism has dropped from 25 to 15%.
River Oaks is such a success story that Gonzalez says the district plans to take the model used at the elementary school and expand it across the district. The goal is to provide a welcoming approach to families and keep the community informed about the available programming and nurturing environments PfISD schools offer while the district continues to do the necessary and challenging work of making budget cuts.
“The work is more real now than it was before,” Gonzalez says. “But how we’re going to show up is going to be different and more meaningful this time, and it’s all through the work at River Oaks.”
Asking elementary school teachers to take on extra roles as party planners and attendance buddies isn’t a decision that Garza took lightly. She has worked to build relationships with her teachers and earn their trust so the campus reflects a cohesive, unified and supportive culture.
“It’s a lot of positive affirmations to the teachers,” Garza says. “I tell them, ‘this is your work, and I am here to support you every step of the way.’”
Becker says that Garza’s leadership has created such a supportive climate and culture at River Oaks, that the teachers and students alike reap the benefits.
“I think her teachers have always had a great sense of identity of who they were as a campus and what their purpose was,” she says. “I think it’s reflected in why the students continue to show up. Not only do they feel that their immediate needs are being met, they feel welcome and they feel loved.”
Garza and Becker both stress the importance of strong partnerships within the district when it comes to implementing a new strategy around attendance and enrollment. The support the district leadership lent to Garza and her campus made a huge difference, and Garza points to Gonzalez as being her first point of contact when she knew things had to change. Gonzalez says she was ready to rise to the challenge to help students at River Oaks.
“When you are in front of all of these major things occurring on campus, it’s easy to run away and be scared of all the anxiety and unknowns,” Gonzalez says. “But not doing anything is not an option. We have a moral obligation to do something. On my end, I see myself as a bridge, having the conversations, talking to the department, then advocating to our bosses. It all worked out, and it was just a collaboration of minds, a collaboration of wills.”
Frisco ISD
Further up the I-35 corridor, north of Dallas, Frisco ISD has become a shrinking district following years and years of rapid growth. Faced with this declining enrollment and post-COVID attendance issues, administrators have kicked off a topdown plan to combat truancy and chronic absenteeism.
Dana Racanelli is one of three truancy prevention facilitators in the district, and she has led a four-part series of check-ins with campuses to help administrators set attendance goals and move toward a system of self-evaluation and attendance improvement.
Racanelli kicked off the initiative working with three high school campuses as pilot programs. The program starts off with check-ins — meetings with campus-level administrators to get them on board with making attendance a priority. Those meetings started at the beginning of the school year, and at the end of this year, the next move will be helping these administrators perform self-assessments of their campus attendance rates and create a plan for next year that includes increasing communication, creating proactive strategies and setting specific goals.
With 77 campuses in Frisco ISD, the undertaking is no small feat, and as campuses are diverse in many ways, the goal is for administrators at each to be able to develop plans that will work best for their own school communities, rather than the district trying to force a one-size-fits-all solution.
Campus administrators won’t be alone in creating these plans. Racanelli and her team will be working closely to help develop strategies for improving attendance. In her work with the pilot campuses, she points to setting and communicating expectations
Incentivizing attendance at River Oaks Elementary has helped increase enrollment and decrease absenteeism.
as a key component — letting students and their families know where excessive absences can lead them.
Albert Leal, managing director of student services in the district, says the work the truancy team does at the campus level helps to create consistent and clear expectations for parents and students.
“Ultimately, if our families know what to expect, and they are communicated with consistently across the different levels, then they’re going to be able to adhere to the standards and expectations that we have for student attendance.”
FISD has a successful truancy program in place. Through a partnership with Payton, Nix & Associates, the district holds truancy tribunals internally, adding an additional layer of intervention before legal action is required. These tribunals are designed to be supportive, not punitive, and families walk out with needed resources, from counseling to health care, transportation support or drug treatment referrals.
The district’s information systems department has also developed real-time reporting for campuses, so administrators have quick and easy access to keep track of student attendance. Having this data at their fingertips has been eye-opening for some administrators and prevents them having to take time to run complex reports.
Paige Hoes, executive director of student services in FISD, says district-level leadership from Superintendent Mike Waldrip and his cabinet has helped staff create and implement this plan in a strategic way she feels will help keep the system in place for years to come to the benefit of all 77 campuses.
“It has been a top-down decision in Frisco ISD to focus on attendance and truancy because one, yes, it is a funding issue, and we get funded based on average daily attendance, but it’s also our commitment to serving kids and ensuring that we are taking care of their needs and getting to those root issues that exist, to get them to school, get
them educated, and ultimately, get them graduated.”
For a district of 62,500 students served by three truancy specialists, taking on the issue of chronic absenteeism is a gigantic task. Leal, Hoes and Racanelli all agree that the best way for any district facing a similar challenge is to find the right team to lead and manage the undertaking.
“It has to be a very focused, intentional role that has very specific goals and expectations,” Racanelli says. “And it has to have the buy-in of everybody that’s involved, from the teachers all the way through the superintendent. We need for them to be able to understand that it’s important while we’re doing it and what the possible outcomes are going to be for the students.”
DACIA RIVERS is editorial director of Texas School Business.
Educators in Pflugerville and Frisco ISDs are focused on creating fun and supportive learning environments to encourage kids to show up to school each day.
TASPA HOSTS WINTER CONFERENCE IN AUSTIN
The Texas Association of School Personnel Administrators held its annual winter conference in December, featuring three general sessions with great speakers and topic sessions on TEA, SBEC, TRS and legislative updates, timely legal issues and district best practices.
▲ Jim Walsh speaks at the Personnel Law Conference.
▲ TASPA board and staff
▲ Chris Bailey (Abilene ISD) 2026 TASPA President
▲ Johjania Nájeria (Keller ISD) 2025 TASPA President
▲ TASPA award winners left to right: David Manchee, Amarillo ISD, 2025 Dr. Mary Hopkins Personnel Administrator of the Year Award; Woodrow Bailey, Fort Worth ISD, 2025 Distinguished Service Award; Craig Lahrman iteachTEXAS, 2025 Honorary Award
▲ David Anderson of HillCo Partners delivers the opening general session.
▲ Chandelle Crane (TASPA Executive Director) and Kimberly Rich, Dickinson ISD (2025 Immediate Past President)
▲ Ugly Christmas Sweater Contest left to right: Kathy Cervantez (TASPA); Chandelle Crane (TASPA); Max Flores (New Braunfels ISD); Annette Rodriguez (Proximity Learning)
▲ Dennis Eichelbaum presents the closing general session.
MARCH
March 1-3
TASSP Symposium: Making Middle School Matter
Hilton Airport, Austin
For more info, (512) 443-2100. www.tassp.org Cost: $365.
March 3
TASA/N2 Learning Assistant Principal Leadership Academy, Northwest Dallas area cohort (session 5 of 6)
Northwest ISD, Justin For more info, (972) 515-2268. www.n2learning.org
Registration opens for 2026-27 cohort in March.
TASA/N2 Learning Assistant Principal Leadership Academy, North Houston area cohort (session 5 of 6)
Cypress-Fairbanks ISD, Cypress For more info, (972) 515-2268. www.n2learning.org
Registration opens for 2026-27 cohort in March.
TASBO Workshop: The Basics of Investing School Funds
ESC 3, Victoria
For more info, (512) 462-1711. www.tasbo.org
Cost: Members, $220; nonmembers, $295.
TASPA HR Series: Summer Priorities for District HR Leaders (session 4 of 4) Webinar
For more info, (512) 494-9353. www.taspa.org
Cost: Members, no charge; nonmembers, $25 for all four sessions.
TASSP Spring Meeting, Region 1 Online
For more info, (512) 443-2100. www.tassp.org
TASSP Spring Meeting, Region 3 Online
For more info, (512) 443-2100. www.tassp.org
March 4
TASA/N2 Learning Assistant Principal Leadership Academy, San Antonio area cohort (session 5 of 6)
Northside ISD, San Antonio
For more info, (972) 515-2268. www.n2learning.org
Registration opens for 2026-27 cohort in March.
TASB Workshop: Workers’ Compensation for HR Staff Webinar
For more info, (512) 467-0222 or (800) 580-8272. www.tasb.org
Cost: $75.
TCASE/TASBO Synergy Express: MOE Online
For more info, (512) 474-4492 or (888) 433-4492. www.tcase.org
Cost: $100.
TASSP Spring Meeting, Region 19 Online
For more info, (512) 443-2100. www.tassp.org
TEPSA Meeting, Region 3
Location TBA, Victoria
For more info, (512) 478-5268 or (800) 252-3621. www.tepsa.org
March 4-7
TASB Governance Camp: Powered by Student Voice Galveston Island Convention Center, Galveston
For more info, (512) 467-0222 or (800) 580-8272. www.tasb.org
Cost: Until March 3, $547; onsite, $597.
March 5
TASA/N2 Learning Assistant Principal Leadership Academy, Austin area cohort (session 5 of 6) Georgetown ISD, Georgetown For more info, (972) 515-2268. www.n2learning.org
Registration opens for 2026-27 cohort in March.
TASA/N2 Learning Assistant Principal Leadership Academy, Dallas area cohort (session 5 of 6)
Royse City ISD, Royse City For more info, (972) 515-2268. www.n2learning.org
Registration opens for 2026-27 cohort in March.
TASB Student Solutions Webinar Series: SHARS Matters: Cost Report Reminders Via Zoom
For more info, (512) 467-0222 or (800) 580-8272. www.tasb.org
Cost: No charge.
TASBO Workshop: Activity Fund Accounting ESC 20, San Antonio
For more info, (512) 462-1711. www.tasbo.org
Cost: Members, $220; nonmembers, $295.
TASPA Workshop: Certification Essentials
Amarillo ISD, Amarillo For more info, (512) 494-9353. www.taspa.org
TSPRA North Central Area Regional Meeting Arlington ISD, Arlington For more info, (512) 474-9107. www.tspra.org
March 5-6
TACES Midwinter Conference Sheraton, Georgetown For more info, (512) 472-3403. www.txca.org
March 6
TASA/N2 Learning Assistant Principal Leadership Academy, East Texas cohort (session 5 of 6) Plyler Complex, Tyler For more info, (972) 515-2268. www.n2learning.org
Registration opens for 2026-27 cohort in March.
March 10
TASB Workshop: Asbestos Designated Person Training
Mount Pleasant ISD, Mount Pleasant
For more info, (512) 467-0222 or (800) 580-8272. www.tasb.org
March 11
TASB Workshop: Integrated Pest Management
Mount Pleasant ISD, Mount Pleasant
For more info, (512) 467-0222 or (800) 580-8272. www.tasb.org
March 16
TASB Region 6 Workshop
ESC 6, Huntsville For more info, (512) 467-0222 or (800) 580-8272. www.tasb.org
Cost: $50.
March 19
TSPRA Houston/Beaumont Area Regional Meeting Cleveland ISD, Cleveland For more info, (512) 474-9107. www.tspra.org
March 22-24
TAGT Leadership Conference Kalahari Resort and Conference Center, Round Rock For more info, (512) 499-8248. www.txgifted.org
Cost: On or before March 2: Members, $329; nonmembers, $429. On or after March 3: Members, $379; nonmembers, $479.
March 24
TASBO Workshop: Holding a VATRE: Legal Insights and More Online
For more info, (512) 462-1711. www.tasbo.org
Cost: Members, $85; nonmembers, $160.
March 24-25
TASB Seminar: M+O Foundations Training
TASB offices, Austin For more info, (512) 467-0222 or (800) 580-8272. www.tasb.org
Cost: TASB environmental and planning members, $950; nonmembers, $1,250.
March 24-26
TASA Level 2 CMAT
TASA offices, Austin
For more info, (512) 477-6361. www.tasanet.org
Cost: Members, $800; nonmembers, $900.
TASA Small Schools Network Event
Murchison ISD, Murchison
For more info, (512) 477-6361. https://bit.ly/TASA-SSN
March 25
TASA/N2 Learning Assistant
Principal Leadership Academy, virtual cohort (session 5 of 6)
Virtual event
For more info, (972) 515-2268. www.n2learning.org
Registration opens for 2026-27 cohort in March.
TASBO Workshop: Managing for Performance Excellence
Pecos-Barstow-Toyah ISD, Pecos
For more info, (512) 462-1711. www.tasbo.org
Cost: Members, $220; nonmembers, $295.
TASSP Spring Meeting, Region 9
ESC 9, Wichita Falls
For more info, (512) 443-2100. www.tassp.org
TASSP Spring Meeting, Region 17
New Deal High School, New Deal For more info, (512) 443-2100. www.tassp.org
March 25-26
TASB Workshop: Managing Personnel Records Online
For more info, (512) 467-0222 or (800) 580-8272. www.tasb.org
Cost: $225.
March 26
TASB Region 9 Workshop
ESC 9, Wichita Falls
For more info, (512) 467-0222 or (800) 580-8272. www.tasb.org
Cost: $50.
TASBO Workshop: Effective Communications
Aledo ISD, Aledo
For more info, (512) 462-1711. www.tasbo.org
Cost: Members, $220; nonmembers, $295.
March 30-31
TASBO Workshop: Leadership Fundamentals
New Braunfels ISD, New Braunfels
For more info, (512) 462-1711. www.tasbo.org
Cost: Members, $550; nonmembers, $625.
March 31
TASA/N2 Learning Assistant Principal Leadership Academy, Northwest Dallas area cohort (session 6 of 6)
Northwest ISD, Justin
For more info, (972) 515-2268. www.n2learning.org
Registration opens for 2026-27 cohort in March.
TASB Region 17 Workshop
ESC 17, Lubbock
For more info, (512) 467-0222 or (800) 580-8272. www.tasb.org
Cost: $50.
TASBO Workshop: Leadership Fundamentals (session 1 of 4)
Online
For more info, (512) 462-1711. www.tasbo.org
Cost: Members, $550 for all four sessions; nonmembers, $625 for all four sessions.
March 31-April 1
TASBO Bonds and Construction Academies
Watten Technology and Events Center, Irving For more info, (512) 462-1711. www.tasbo.org
Cost: Members, $345; nonmembers, $420.
APRIL
April 1
TASA/N2 Learning Assistant
Principal Leadership Academy, San Antonio area cohort (session 6 of 6)
Northside ISD, San Antonio
For more info, (972) 515-2268.
www.n2learning.org
Registration opens for 2026-27 cohort in March.
TASBO Workshop: Leadership Fundamentals (session 2 of 4)
Online
For more info, (512) 462-1711. www.tasbo.org
Cost: Members, $550 for all four sessions; nonmembers, $625 for all four sessions.
TASSP Spring Meeting, Region 15
ESC 15, San Angelo
For more info, (512) 443-2100. www.tassp.org
TASSP Spring Meeting, Region 18
Permian High School, Midland For more info, (512) 443-2100. www.tassp.org
TSPRA Central Area Regional Meeting
Pflugerville ISD, Pflugerville
For more info, (512) 474-9107. www.tspra.org
TSPRA/ETSPRA Meeting
Bullard ISD, Bullard
For more info, (512) 474-9107. www.tspra.org
April 1-2
TASBO Workshop: Business Administration and the Law Online
For more info, (512) 462-1711. www.tasbo.org
Cost: Members, $220; nonmembers, $295.
April 2
TASA/N2 Learning Assistant Principal Leadership Academy, Austin area cohort (session 6 of 6)
Georgetown ISD, Georgetown For more info, (972) 515-2268. www.n2learning.org
Registration opens for 2026-27 cohort in March.
TASA/N2 Learning Assistant Principal Leadership Academy, Dallas area cohort (session 6 of 6)
Royse City ISD, Royse City For more info, (972) 515-2268. www.n2learning.org
Registration opens for 2026-27 cohort in March.
TASBO Federal Grants Manual Workshop Online
For more info, (512) 462-1711. www.tasbo.org
Cost: Members, $245; nonmembers, $320.
TEPSA Region 18 Meeting
Location TBA
For more info, (512) 478-5268. www.tepsa.org
TSPRA North Central Area Regional Meeting
Hurst-Euless-Bedford ISD, Bedford. For more info, (512) 474-9107. www.tspra.org
April 6
TASBO Purchasing Management Workshop: High-Level Overview of Purchasing Requirements
ESC 20, San Antonio For more info, (512) 462-1711. www.tasbo.org
Cost: Members, $220; nonmembers, $295.
April 7
TASA/N2 Learning Assistant Principal Leadership Academy, North Houston area cohort (session 6 of 6)
Cypress-Fairbanks ISD, Cypress
For more info, (972) 515-2268. www.n2learning.org
Registration opens for 2026-27 cohort in March.
TASB Region 2 Workshop
ESC 2, Kingsville
For more info, (512) 467-0222 or (800) 580-8272. www.tasb.org
Cost: $50.
TASBO Workshop: Leadership Fundamentals (session 3 of 4) Online
For more info, (512) 462-1711. www.tasbo.org
Cost: Members, $550 for all four sessions; nonmembers, $625 for all four sessions.
TASPA Workshop: School District Employees and the First Amendment Webinar
For more info, (512) 494-9353. www.taspa.org
April 7-8
TASBO Finance + CTE Joint Academy
Northwest ISD, Justin For more info, (512) 462-1711. www.tasbo.org
Cost: Members and nonmembers, $345.
April 8
TARS Legislative Update Via Zoom
For more info, (325) 372-5821. www.tarsed.org
TASA/N2 Learning Assistant Principal Leadership Academy, East Texas cohort (session 6 of 6) Plyler Complex, Tyler
For more info, (972) 515-2268. www.n2learning.org
Registration opens for 2026-27 cohort in March.
TASB Administrative Professionals Regional Workshop McAllen ISD, McAllen
For more info, (512) 467-0222 or (800) 580-8272. www.tasb.org
TASB Region 1 Workshop
ESC 1, McAllen
For more info, (512) 467-0222 or (800) 580-8272. www.tasb.org
Cost: $50.
TASB Region 4 Workshop
ESC 4, Houston
For more info, (512) 467-0222 or (800) 580-8272. www.tasb.org
Cost: $50.
TASBO Workshop: Leadership Fundamentals (session 4 of 4)
Online
For more info, (512) 462-1711. www.tasbo.org
Cost: Members, $550 for all four sessions; nonmembers, $625 for all four sessions.
TASSP Spring Meeting, Region 16
ESC 16, Amarillo
For more info, (512) 443-2100. www.tassp.org
TSPRA San Antonio Area Regional Meeting
Location TBA
For more info, (512) 474-9107. www.tspra.org
April 8-9
TASA Texas Public Accountability Consortium (session 2 of 2)
Clear Creek ISD, League City
For more info, (512) 477-6361. https://bit.ly/tpac-tasa
April 8-11
Leadership TASB Class (session 4 of 5)
Location TBA, Texarkana
For more info, (512) 467-0222 or (800) 580-8272. www.tasb.org
April 9
TASB Region 11 Workshop Dublin ISD, Dublin
For more info, (512) 467-0222 or (800) 580-8272. www.tasb.org
Cost: $50.
TASB Student Solutions Webinar Series: 18-Plus Requirements and Planning Via Zoom
For more info, (512) 467-0222 or (800) 580-8272. www.tasb.org
TASBO Workshop: Budget and Tax Rate Adoption: What’s New in 2026
Online
For more info, (512) 462-1711. www.tasbo.org
Cost: Members, $85; nonmembers, $160.
TASBO Workshop: Business Ethics
ESC 6, Huntsville
For more info, (512) 462-1711. www.tasbo.org
Cost: Members, $220; nonmembers, $295.
TASBO Workshop: School Nutrition Procurement
ESC 4, Houston
For more info, (512) 462-1711. www.tasbo.org
Cost: Members, $220; nonmembers, $295.
April 10
TASBO Workshop: Supervisor Fundamentals
Harris County Department of Education, Houston
For more info, (512) 462-1711. www.tasbo.org
Cost: Members, $245; nonmembers, $320.
TEPSA Region 10 Meeting
Location TBA
For more info, (512) 478-5268. www.tepsa.org
April 13
TASBO Purchasing Management Workshop: High Level Overview of Purchasing Requirements
ESC 10, Richardson
For more info, (512) 462-1711. www.tasbo.org
Cost: Members, $220; nonmembers, $295.
TASBO Workshop: Supervisor Fundamentals
Frisco ISD, Frisco
For more info, (512) 462-1711. www.tasbo.org
Cost: Members, $245; nonmembers, $320.
TASSP Spring Meeting, Region 2
Rockport High School, Rockport, or online
For more info, (512) 443-2100. www.tassp.org
April 13-14
TASA CMSi Curriculum Management Planning Workshop
TASA offices, Austin
For more info, (512) 477-6361. www.tasanet.org
Cost: Members, $550; nonmembers, $600.
April 14
TASB Workshop: Asbestos Designated Person Training ESC 16, Amarillo
For more info, (512) 467-0222 or (800) 580-8272. www.tasb.org
TASBO Workshop: Converting Paper Records to Digital Reed Center, Grand Prairie
For more info, (512) 462-1711. www.tasbo.org
Cost: Members, $245; nonmembers, $320.
TASBO Workshop: State Aid Calculation, Part 1 ESC 11, White Settlement
For more info, (512) 462-1711. www.tasbo.org
Cost: Members, $220; nonmembers, $295.
April 15
TASA/N2 Learning Assistant Principal Leadership Academy, virtual cohort (session 6 of 6) Virtual event
For more info, (972) 515-2268. www.tasanet.org
Registration opens for 2026-27 cohort in March.
TASB Workshop: Integrated Pest Management ESC 16, Amarillo
For more info, (512) 467-0222 or (800) 580-8272. www.tasb.org
TASBO Workshop: State Aid Calculation, Part 2 ESC 11, White Settlement For more info, (512) 462-1711. www.tasbo.org
Cost: Members, $220; nonmembers, $295.
TASSP Spring Meeting, Region 10 Spring Creek BBQ, Richardson For more info, (512) 443-2100. www.tassp.org
April 15-16
TASB Workshop: Get a Grip on the Family and Medical Leave Act Online
For more info, (512) 467-0222 or (800) 580-8272. www.tasb.org
Cost: $225.
TASBO Texas School Records Management Academy Reed Center, Grand Prairie
For more info, (512) 462-1711. www.tasbo.org
Cost: Members, $345; nonmembers, $420.
April 15-17
TASA CMSi Curriculum Writing Workshop
TASA offices, Austin
For more info, (512) 477-6361. www.tasanet.org
Cost: Members, $800; nonmembers, $900.
April 16
TASB Region 5 Workshop Westbrook High School, Beaumont
For more info, (512) 467-0222 or (800) 580-8272. www.tasb.org
Cost: $50.
April 18
TASB Legislative Advisory Council I Meeting
TASB offices, Austin
For more info, (512) 467-0222 or (800) 580-8272.
www.tasb.org
April 20
TASBO Workshop: Budget and Financial Planning McKinney Conference Center, Houston
For more info, (512) 462-1711. www.tasbo.org
Cost: Members, $220; nonmembers, $295.
April 21
TASBO Payroll Academy Express Online
For more info, (512) 462-1711. www.tasbo.org
Cost: Members, $175; nonmembers, $250.
TASBO Purchasing Academy Express Online
For more info, (512) 462-1711. www.tasbo.org
Cost: Members, $175; nonmembers, $250.
TASBO Workshop: Getting Things Done ESC 19, El Paso
For more info, (512) 462-1711. www.tasbo.org
Cost: Members, $345; nonmembers, $450.
April 22
TASBO Accounting and Finance Express Online
For more info, (512) 462-1711. www.tasbo.org
Cost: Members, $175; nonmembers, $250.
TASSP Legal Issues Webinar Series (session 4 of 4) Online
For more info, (512) 443-2100. www.tassp.org
Cost: Members, $59 for all four sessions; nonmembers, $99 for all four sessions.
TASSP Spring Meeting, Region 13
Hendrickson High School, Pflugerville
For more info, (512) 443-2100. www.tassp.org
April 22-23
TASBO Workshop: Leadership Fundamentals
ESC 19, El Paso
For more info, (512) 462-1711. www.tasbo.org
Cost: Members, $550; nonmembers, $625.
April 23
Fast Growth School Coalition Lunch and Learn Online
For more info, (512) 536-1206. www.fastgrowthtexas.org
TASB Region 19 Workshop
San Elizario ISD, San Elizario
For more info, (512) 467-0222 or (800) 580-8272. www.tasb.org
Cost: $50.
TASBO Workshop: Navigating the Political Process
ESC 1, Edinburg
For more info, (512) 462-1711. www.tasbo.org
Cost: Members, $220; nonmembers, $295.
April 26-28
TASB Fund Members Conference Kalahari Resort and Conference Center, Round Rock
For more info, (512) 467-0222 or (800) 580-8272. www.tasb.org
April 27
TASSP Spring Meeting, Region 7 ESC 7, Kilgore
For more info, (512) 443-2100. www.tassp.org
April 28
Fast Growth School Coalition Lunch and Learn Online
For more info, (512) 536-1206. www.fastgrowthtexas.org
TASBO Workshop: Board Policies and Administrative Procedures
ESC 1, Edinburg
For more info, (512) 462-1711. www.tasbo.org
Cost: Members, $220; nonmembers, $295.
April 28-29
Fast Growth School Coalition
Annual Conference
Hotel Viata, Austin
For more info, (512) 536-1206. www.fastgrowthtexas.org
Cost: Members, $225; nonmembers, $325.
April 30
TSPRA Houston/Beaumont Area Regional Meeting
Galena Park ISD, Houston For more info, (512) 474-9107. www.tspra.org
MAY
May 4
TCASE/Ed311 Special Education
Law Conference
Civic Center, New Braunfels
For more info, (512) 474-4492 or (888) 433-4492. www.tcase.org
Cost: Single registration, $230; group of five or more, $205 per person; group of 10 or more, $195 per person; workbook, $25.
May 4-5
TASA/N2 Learning Executive
Leadership Institute (session 4 of 4)
Lakeway Resort and Spa, Austin
For more info, (972) 515-2268. www.n2learning.org
Registration opens for 2026-27 cohort in March.
TASA/N2 Learning Principals’ Institute (session 6 of 6)
Lakeway Resort and Spa, Austin
For more info, (972) 515-2268. www.n2learning.org
Registration opens for 2026-27 cohort in March.
TASBO Workshop: Leadership Fundamentals
New Caney ISD, Porter
For more info, (512) 462-1711. www.tasbo.org
Cost: Members, $550; nonmembers, $625.
May 5
TASPA HR Series: The Ins and Outs of Leave (session 4 of 4) Webinar
For more info, (512) 494-9353. www.taspa.org
Cost: TASPA members, no charge; nonmembers, $25 for all four sessions.
May 5-6
TASBO Workshop: Leadership Fundamentals
ESC 12, Waco
For more info, (512) 462-1711. www.tasbo.org
Cost: Members, $550; nonmembers, $625.
May 6
TASB Region 18 Workshop
Morgan University Center, Alpine
For more info, (512) 467-0222 or (800) 580-8272. www.tasb.org
Cost: $50.
TASBO Workshop: Crucial Conversations for Mastering Dialogue (session 1 of 4) Online
For more info, (512) 462-1711. www.tasbo.org
Cost: Members, $550 for all four sessions; nonmembers, $625 for all four sessions.
TASSP Spring Meeting, Region 8 ESC 8, Pittsburg
For more info, (512) 443-2100. www.tassp.org
TSPRA/ETPRA Meeting
Arp ISD, Arp
For more info, (512) 474-9107. www.tspra.org
May 7
TASBO Workshop: Crucial Conversations for Mastering Dialogue (session 2 of 4) Online
For more info, (512) 462-1711. www.tasbo.org
Members, $550 for all four sessions; nonmembers, $625 for all four sessions.
TASPA Workshop: Maintaining Service Records
ESC Region 20, San Antonio
For more info, (512) 494-9353. www.taspa.org
TSPRA North Central Area Regional Meeting
Fort Worth ISD, Fort Worth For more info, (512) 474-9107. www.tspra.org
May 7-8
TASB SHARS Conference
Via Zoom
For more info, (512) 467-0222 or (800) 580-8272.
www.tasb.org
Cost: Members, $50; nonmembers, $150.
May 8
TASBO Workshop: Budget and Financial Planning
ESC 20, San Antonio
For more info, (512) 462-1711. www.tasbo.org
Cost: Members, $220; nonmembers, $295.
May 11
TASBO Workshop: Financial Coding for Texas Schools
ESC 10, Richardson For more info, (512) 462-1711. www.tasbo.org
Cost: Members, $220; nonmembers, $295.
May 12
TASB Regional Workshop East Texas A&M University, Commerce
For more info, (512) 467-0222 or (800) 580-8272. www.tasb.org
Cost: $50.
TASB Workshop: Asbestos Designated Person Training
ESC 14, Abilene
For more info, (512) 467-0222 or (800) 580-8272. www.tasb.org
TASBO Workshop: Board Policies and Administrative Procedures
ESC 4, Houston For more info, (512) 462-1711. www.tasbo.org
Cost: Members, $220; nonmembers, $295.
TCASE/Ed311 Special Education Law Conference
Hilton Garden Inn, Grand Prairie For more info, (512) 474-4492 or (888) 433-4492. www.tcase.org
Cost: Single registration, $230; group of five or more, $205 per person; group of ten or more, $195 per person; workbook, $25.
May 12-13
TASBO Workshop: Getting Things Done Online
For more info, (512) 462-1711. www.tasbo.org
Cost: Members, $375; nonmembers, $450.
May 13
TASB Region 13 Workshop
ESC 13, Hutto
For more info, (512) 467-0222 or (800) 580-8272. www.tasb.org
Cost: $50.
TASB Workshop: Integrated Pest Management
ESC 14, Abilene
For more info, (512) 467-0222 or (800) 580-8272. www.tasb.org
Cost: $50.
TASBO Workshop: Crucial Conversations for Mastering Dialogue (session 3 of 4) Online
For more info, (512) 462-1711. www.tasbo.org
Cost: Members, $550 for all four sessions; nonmembers, $625 for all four sessions.
TASSP Spring Meeting, Region 11 Keller Central High School, Fort Worth
For more info, (512) 443-2100. www.tassp.org
TASSP Spring Meeting, Region 14 Online
For more info, (512) 443-2100. www.tassp.org
May 14
TASB Student Solutions Series: Wrapping Up 2025-26 Via Zoom
For more info, (512) 467-0222 or (800) 580-8272. www.tasb.org
TASBO Workshop: Crucial Conversations for Mastering Dialogue (session 4 of 4) Online
For more info, (512) 462-1711. www.tasbo.org
Cost: Members, $550 for all four sessions; nonmembers, $625 for all four sessions.
May 19
TASB Region 12 Workshop ESC 12, Waco
For more info, (512) 467-0222 or (800) 580-8272. www.tasb.org
Cost: $50.
May 20
TASB Region 16 Workshop Canyon ISD, Canyon
For more info, (512) 467-0222 or (800) 580-8272. www.tasb.org
Cost: $50.
May 31-June 3
THSADA State Conference
Kalahari Resort and Conference Center, Round Rock
For more info, (832) 240-6550. www.thsada.com
Cost: Until May 17: $175; late/ onsite registration, $200.
JUNE
June 3
TSPRA Houston/Beaumont Area
Regional Meeting
ESC 4, Houston
For more info, (512) 474-9107. www.tspra.org
June 3-4
TASB Workshop: Writing Effective Job Descriptions
Online
For more info, (512) 467-0222 or (800) 580-8272. www.tasb.org
Cost: $225.
June 4
TSPRA North Central Area
Regional Meeting
Northwest ISD, Justin
For more info, (512) 474-9107. www.tspra.org
June 6
TAHPERD Workshop, Areas 6 and 7
Pearce High School, Richardson
For more info, (512) 459-1299. www.tahperd.org
June 8
Ed311 and TASSP Conference: Education Law for Principals
Hilton Anatole, Dallas
For more info, (512) 478-2113. www.ed311.com
Cost: Single registration, $235; group of five or more, $210 per person; group of ten or more, $200 per person; workbook, $25.
June 8-10
TASA txedFest 2026
Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort, San Antonio
For more info, (512) 477-6361. https://txedfest.org/
June 8-10
TASBO Workshop: Leadership Fundamentals
CORE Construction, Frisco
For more info, (512) 462-1711. www.tasbo.org
Cost: Members, $550; nonmembers, $625.
June 9-11
TASSP Summer Workshop
Hilton Anatole, Dallas
For more info, (512) 443-2100. www.tassp.org
Cost: Until May 11: Members, $340; nonmembers, $540; students, $179. After May 11: Members, $390; nonmembers, $590; students, $179.
TEPSA Summer Conference
Kalahari Resort and Conference Center, Round Rock
For more info, (512) 478-5268 or (800) 252-3621. www.tepsa.org
Cost: Members, $599; nonmembers, $899.
June 10-13
TASB Summer Leadership Institute
Location TBA, San Antonio
For more info, (512) 467-0222 or (800) 580-8272. www.tasb.org
June 14-17
TAHPERD SEA Summit
Isla Grand Hotel, South Padre Island
For more info, (512) 459-1299. www.tahperd.org
June 16-17
Learning Forward Texas Annual Conference
Hurst Conference Center, Hurst For more info, (512) 266-3086. www.learningforwardtexas.org
Cost: Through Feb. 27: $469; Feb. 28-May 29: $499; May 30-June 16: $519.
June 17-20
Leadership TASB Class and Graduation (session 5 of 5)
Location TBA, Fort Worth For more info, (512) 467-0222 or (800) 580-8272. www.tasb.org
TASB Summer Leadership Institute
Location TBA, Fort Worth
For more info, (512) 467-0222 or (800) 580-8272. www.tasb.org
June 18
Fast Growth School Coalition Lunch and Learn Online
For more info, (512) 536-1206. www.fastgrowthtexas.org
June 25-28
TASSP New Principal Academy Hilton Airport, Austin
For more info, (512) 443-2100. www.tassp.org ◄
Dby Riney Jordan
o you ever find yourself in a rut? Oh, you know what I’m talking about. You go to your job and it’s the same old thing every single day. You used to be excited about it. Remember? You could not wait to get to work. You stayed longer each day than you were required, but you loved it. It seemed most days that you just couldn’t get enough of the excitement of doing the work that you had been hired to do.
Our granddaughter, Haley, works part-time in the children’s ministry at her church. Now don’t get me wrong, she loves it. Her ideas are just amazing. She is one of the most creative people I’ve ever met. But, a few weeks ago, her mom introduced her to the art of sourdough bread making. Let me tell you, our amazing grandchild has gotten hooked! She runs ads on social media. She’s created a logo that looks like it came out of Madison Avenue, and she is getting so many orders for her unique recipes that she can barely keep up with them.
As her amazing husband said, “Oh, she is having the time of her life, but you don’t want to see what our kitchen looks like now.”
Have you ever had such an urge to just jump out there and do something totally different?
Let me tell you the story of a man named Larry Walters. He was 33 years old when he realized that boredom was taking over his life. He decided he had to do something to bring some excitement and adventure into his life.
One evening, he got the idea to soar! He filled 42 weather balloons with helium and attached them to a lawn chair he had purchased at Sears.
Oh, don’t think for a minute that he had not completely thought this through. He armed himself with a pellet gun to simply shoot out a few of the balloons if he got too high. What could possibly go wrong with this plan?
Believe it or not, he reached 16,000 feet after liftoff from San Pedro, California. Air traffic controllers in the area began receiving reports from pilots that they were seeing “some guy in a lawn chair floating in the sky.”
After some 45 minutes, he decided he had had enough so he began shooting a few of the balloons. Slowly, he began to descend and landed safely in Long Beach.
Of course, he became somewhat of a celebrity after that stunt, and his story was told in every newspaper in the country. He appeared on “The Tonight Show” and began giving motivational speeches to encourage people to live their dream.
When asked why he did it, he always responded, “People ask me if I had a death wish. I tell them that it was simply something I had to do and once I had the idea, I couldn’t just sit there.”
Now, please don’t think I’m suggesting that we all do something that extreme, but find a new hobby, try some new method for your students, incorporate a new program that gets everyone on the staff involved and excited.
More than anything, I want you to be as excited about the work that you are doing as you were on the first day you arrived on the job.
We’re there to encourage and motivate those around us.
As my grandchild is always saying, “I tripledog-dare you.”
