2023 TEPSA August News

88 th Texas Legislative Session Wrap-up: New Education Laws Impacting Your Campus

By Mark Terry

The 88th Texas Legislative Session was long on drama and short on actions that will help educators and students during the upcoming two years.

Many in the education community were hopeful that the session would produce substantial teacher raises, a significant bump in per pupil spending, and relief for our teacher retirees. With a $32.7 billion surplus in the State’s coffers, anything seemed possible.

Unfortunately, Governor Abbott’s legislative agenda stressed property tax relief, social issues, and school vouchers. Lieutenant Governor Patrick’s priorities

were even more aggressive with little improvements targeted to help our public schools.

To make matters worse for those in the legislature who had a true desire to help the 5.4 million students of Texas, the historic expulsion of Representative Bryan Slaton (HD-2) from Royce City proved a great distraction. Slaton was unanimously ejected from the Texas House for behavior unbecoming as a state official. He was the first representative expelled since 1927.

Immediately following this historic event, the House held a contentious vote to impeach

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Education Advocates Receive 2023 Sandi Borden Tribute to Texas Children Award

For their service and commitment to Texas public education, The Honorable Charlie Geren, a member of the Texas House of Representatives, and Dr. Andra Penny, a Coppell ISD principal, were awarded the Sandi Borden Tribute to Texas Children.

The Honorable Charlie Geren was elected to the Texas House of Representatives in November 2000. He currently serves as Chairman of the Local and Consent Calendars Committee. For the last 23 years, Chairman Geren has supported many bills that improve student learning and the state’s education system. He has made a sustained commitment to public schools by voting against vouchers, education savings grants, and other schemes designed to divert taxpayer dollars

to private entities. These votes mean Chairman Geren has often opposed his own party leadership.

Honoring TEPSA’s mission to keep children at the heart of lawmakers’ decision-making, Chairman Geren has also greatly contributed to public education through his leadership in the Tribute to Texas Children monument restoration project. In 1993, thousands of students in more than 600

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Guest Column with Doris Malone page 7

The "S" in TEPSA with Danieli Parker and Cristi Parsons page 15

Lead from the Heart with Todd Nesloney and Ross Braun page 20

Legal Ease with Kevin Lungwitz page 10

Accelerate Learning and Close Gaps for All Texas Students with i-Ready

The promise of i-Ready is not just accurate assessment results. It’s a promise to drive student growth—to take all the actionable data from the assessment and connect it to embedded instructional next steps. Assessment-guided instruction will put your students on a path toward proficiency with ambitious and attainable growth goals.

Executive Committee

Cindy Tierney President-Emeritus, Lufkin ISD

Cooper Hilton President-Elect, Coppell ISD

Dana Boyd Vice President, El Paso ISD

Gerrie Spellmann Member At-Large, Alamo Heights ISD

Jaci Underwood Member At-Large, Lubbock ISD

Annette Sanchez NAESP Representative, Beeville ISD

Harley Eckhart TEPSA Executive Director

Standing Committee Chairs and Vice Chairs

Elodia Witterstaetter Advocacy Chair, Texarkana ISD

Magdalena Garcia Advocacy Vice Chair, Grand Prairie ISD

Veronica Delgado Membership, Marketing & PR Chair, Crowley ISD

Lorena Carrasco Membership, Marketing & PR Vice Chair, Pasadena ISD

LaToya Patterson Programs & Services Chair, Spring ISD

Lindsey Clayborn Programs & Services Vice Chair, San Benito CISD

Yolanda Delaney Nominating Committee Chair, Canyon ISD

Julie Gauthier Nominating Committee Vice Chair, Port Neches-Groves ISD

Region Presidents

Nora Lamas La Feria ISD (1)

Lori Maldonado London ISD (2)

Yasmina St. Jean Victoria ISD (3)

Rachelle Ysquierdo Sheldon ISD (4)

Jennifer Fisher Silsbee ISD (5)

Donna Bairrington College Station ISD (6)

Brittany Eldred Quitman ISD (7)

Liliana Luna Texarkana ISD (8)

Jared Jacobs Wichita Falls ISD (9)

Erin Whisenhunt Grand Prairie ISD (10)

Celina Goss Hurst-Euless-Bedford ISD (11)

Carol Whitley Rogers ISD (12)

SueAnna Thomas Wimberley ISD (13)

Alana McClure Jim Ned CISD (14)

Curt McKneely Miles ISD (15)

Amy Meek Canyon ISD (16)

Amy Estrada Idalou ISD (17)

Maxine Barrera Gonzales Midland ISD (18)

Jonathan Flores Socorro ISD (19)

Amy Malone Comal ISD (20)

TEPSA regions coincide with regional education service center boundaries.

Staff

Harley Eckhart Executive Director

Joni Carlson Director of Events & Governance

Cecilia Cortez Marketing & Communications Manager

Kristina Jaimes Exhibits & Student Leadership Manager

Anita Jiles Associate Executive Director for Marketing & Communications

Trae Kendrick Chief Operating Officer

Elizabeth Kernan Membership Services Coordinator

Heather Loomis Events Services Coordinator

Belinda Neal Associate Executive Director for Instruction

Todd Nesloney Director of Culture & Strategic Leadership

Louis Silvas Web Content Specialist

Mark Terry Deputy Executive Director

TEPSA News

Published six times a year by Texas Elementary Principals and Supervisors Association. Subscription is included in TEPSA membership dues. Postage paid at Austin, Texas.

Articles may be reproduced by TEPSA members without written request, provided that duplication is for an educational purpose at a nonprofit institution; copies are available without charge; and each copy includes full citation of the source.

Copyright © 2023 by the Texas Elementary Principals and Supervisors Association

Contact

TEPSA 501 East 10th Street Austin, TX 78701

512-478-5268 800-252-3621 Fax: 512-478-1502 www.tepsa.org

Fellow TEPSANs,

Welcome to the 2023-2024 school year!

I am blessed to have the unique and humbling opportunity to lead this great organization. As we begin, let us reflect on our theme last year, “Make a Ripple.”

I extend my gratitude for your tireless dedication and commitment as you created ripples and made an impact in the lives of others. Moving forward, we will build on those ripples and make them bigger and better. Our ripples will be so big and impactful, they will become waves! Our new theme will be “Ride the Wave!” and I am excited to see all the amazing work that you will do this year.

As we “Ride the Wave,” there will be times when things run smoothly, and there will be times when there are challenges and obstacles that we will need to overcome. As we are faced with difficult situations, or when there is a wave of change or disruption, we need to ride that wave effectively. This is further illustrated in the following quote:

I intend to not allow the waves of change to knock me off my feet, but instead, learn how to ride them.-Swami

Satchidananda

Throughout the year, each of these articles will focus on a strategy that leaders use to ride the wave and lead organizations to success. The first skill that we will focus on is how a leader responds to change. This is a critical factor that directly impacts several facets of an effective school. Outstanding leaders embrace change as they navigate through difficult situations. Leaders who ride the wave are those who are open to change and see it as an opportunity to improve the organization. They are not afraid to try new things and experiment with different approaches to problem-solving the challenge before them. They see the obstacle as an opportunity to refine their leadership skills and build capacity within the organization. Thank you for your unwavering leadership, your dedication to our students and school families, and your willingness to embrace change. As we embark on this new school year, let us remember the profound impact that we have on the lives of others. Each day presents an opportunity to inspire, guide, and empower the next generation of leaders. I wish you a successful and fulfilling academic year ahead!

Ride the wave, y’all!

Texas Elementary Principals & Supervisors Association

Attorney General Ken Paxton. A great deal of animosity was left in the wake of Paxton’s impeachment. There will be more to follow as the Senate must now try the currently suspended attorney general.

With so much drama happening in the 88th Session, it is surprising that anything impacting schools was passed. But, there were a number of bills which principals, assistants, and supervisors must be aware.

HB 4545, a bill from the 87th Legislative Session that was meant to support students in need of academic support caused tremendous angst among many of our members. We saw a “fix” in the form of HB 1416 (Bell, K/Paxton, A). The bill:

• Strikes the accelerated learning committee requirement.

• Requires 15 hours of assistance for students or 30 hours for certain students.

• Increases the student to teacher ratio to 4:1.

• Keeps intact the allowance for a student to be assigned a classroom teacher who is certified as a master, exemplary, or recognized teacher.

Check with your district on a couple of bills that require school safety adjustments in your districts. HB 3 (Burrows) requires at least one armed security officer per campus. Should a district not be able to fund or find one, the district must develop an alternative standard that may include a school marshal or an armed staff member. There is money tied to the bill.

Another safety requirement comes from SB 838 (Creighton) requiring a panic alert device in every classroom.

A few bills that might necessitate your immediate attention include:

• HB 1212 (Jetton) allows students to use a parent note for absences related to observance of holy days.

• HB 1225 (Metcalf) allows up to 3% of students in a district to take state assessments in paper format at a parent’s request.

• HB 567 (Bowers) “the Crown Act” prevents discrimination based on hair texture or protected hairstyle associated with race.

• HB 3803 (Cunningham) allows parents to have a child repeat a grade up to grade 8.

• SB 2124 requires districts to establish an “opt-out” versus an “opt-in” policy for students who qualify for accelerated math in preparation for Algebra 1.

Be especially aware of bills prohibiting restraint by peace officers, reporting to CPS, and threat assessment policies that allow parent access to participate in the assessment.

One bill that failed was HB 100, the school funding bill that included raises for teachers and retirees, greater funding for schools, and many other clauses to help public education. The school funding bill was suspended when the Senate attached a far-reaching voucher plan which the House, thankfully, did not accept.

This legislative session is not over. As we go to press, the Second Special Session called by the Governor to address property tax relief is underway.

As if that wasn’t enough, Speaker Dade Phelan has appointed a work group to study school choice, which will be the subject of yet another special session in September that will address vouchers.

If you couldn’t attend the legislative update at the 2023 TEPSA Summer Conference, you can view highlights from my presentation at: https://bit.ly/ marklegal

Stay tuned for more information and be ready to stand up for your school community! Scan the QR code below to sign up for TEPSA's Advocacy Network.

Mark Terry serves as TEPSA Deputy Executive Director. t @tepsamark

Scan the QR code to sign up for TEPSA's Advocacy Network.

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School Culture Best Practices

Creating a positive school culture is essential to ensuring students reach their full potential and thrive in an environment that encourages creative thinking, collaboration, empathy, and respect for one another. School should be a place where educators can confidently teach and help students make the best of their educational experiences. Inviting open dialogue between teachers, administrators and parents is also essential to ensuring everyone works together to promote student success. Whether you are just starting to explore what it means to have a strong learning community or looking for ways to refresh your current model, below are some considerations so every track leads to an enriching school atmosphere.

What is the school culture, and why is it important?

School culture encompasses the shared values, norms, patterns, and behaviors of those within a school system. It is often composed of tangible evidence, from physical elements like signage to intangible elements like community spirit. Positive school culture has many benefits—it provides structure and direction for teaching and learning activities, motivates students in their academic pursuits, and encourages participation in extracurricular activities (Mendoza et al., 2022). It also promotes staff collaboration and supports healthy communication and relationships between students, staff members, and parents alike. Ultimately, a strong school culture advances student achievement by providing students with the tools they need to thrive academically and socially.

Promoting inclusivity, both within the classroom and outside of it

By taking intentional steps to promote inclusivity both within the classroom and outside of it—through activities such as encouraging positive student participation, assigning meaningful projects that reflect diverse perspectives, and actively engaging with families—schools can create an equitable educational environment where everyone’s experience is valued. Through collaboration and communication that strengthens relationships and creates an inviting atmosphere of acceptance and understanding, our schools will be better equipped to ensure success for all.

Encouraging student voice and leadership development

Instilling a sense of voice and leadership in students is an invaluable skill. Student leadership not only benefits academic performance, it also helps equip students with the necessary skills they will need to succeed in a professional environment. Encouraging leadership in students can give them a greater sense of ownership over their academic pursuits and provide additional growth opportunities. By nurturing this attitude and developing tools like communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills, we are preparing the next generation for facing any challenge that comes their way (Mendoza et al., 2022).

School culture is critical to student success. Creating a positive learning environment that values all cultures and backgrounds while fostering ) page 8

School Culture continued from page 7

a sense of belonging, strong leadership, and respect is essential. We must also hold each other accountable for eradicating bullying and protecting students. Teaching students to understand, accept and celebrate differences leads to an enriching educational experience for everyone on campus. Effective strategies that promote inclusion at all levels may bring true equality into our schools: something we can all strive for. Our children will benefit from this noble outcome.

Hispanic community at her campus. She has spoken to future educators at the University of Texas Permian Basin Bilingual Education Student Organization about the benefits and challenges of being bilingual and making a difference in the community. Malone is currently pursuing her doctoral studies at the University of Phoenix and is a highly esteemed leader whose philosophy is teamwork and collaboration.

Reference

TEPSA member Doris Malone serves as assistant principal at Fasken Elementary in Midland ISD. The school has one of the district's largest emergent bilingual student populations. Malone proudly supports the

Mendoza, A., Jones, D., Varela, D., & Challoo, L. (2022). Teachers’ and Principals’ Perceptions of Factors That Contribute to the Success of Blue-Ribbon Schools. Administrative Issues Journal: Education, Practice & Research, 12(2), 13–30. https://doi. org/10.5929/2022.12.2.2

U.S. Department of Education Report on AI

The U.S. Department of Education Office of Educational Technology provides educators guidance on Artificial Intelligence (AI) in its new report, "Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Teaching and Learning: Insights and Recommendations." From defining AI to exploring the key opportunities and challenges of using AI in learning, teaching, assessment and research, the comprehensive report helps educators build a greater understanding of AI. The report also includes links to additional resources such as "Glossary of Artificial Intelligence Terms for Educators" available at https://circls.org/educatorcircls/ai-glossary

Read the report at https://tech.ed.gov/ai/.

Source: U.S. Department of Education, Office of Educational Technology. (2023). Artificial Intelligence and Future of Teaching and Learning: Insights and Recommendations. Washington, DC. https://tech.ed.gov

TEPSA Student Leadership Workshops

Resources

Free Toolkit Teaches Kids Coping Strategies

The University of Connecticut's Feel Your Best Self (FYBS) is a free toolkit for educators and families that helps teach kids simple ways to regulate their emotions. The toolkit includes short videos featuring three puppets as well as tip sheets that cover 12 coping strategies. The strategies are organized into three categories that kids can identify with including Calm Yourself, Catch Your Feelings and Connect with Others. The toolkit is available in English and Spanish.

Visit https://feelyourbestself.collaboration.uconn.edu.

Sources: University of Connecticut: Feel Your Best Self. https://feelyourbestself.collaboration.uconn.edu

Colorín Colorado. (2023). How Puppets Are Teaching Kids to "Feel Your Best Self." https://www.colorincolorado.org/ article/how-puppets-are-teaching-kids-feel-your-best-self

Important Legal Reminders for the New School Year

A new school year is a great time to reset, build on the successes of last year, and reflect on areas for growth. Here are a few items to keep in mind.

School Security

A new school safety law was signed into law on June 13, 2023. Known as House Bill 3, the primary feature is the requirement for every campus to have at least one armed guard on site. The guard may be law enforcement or armed school personnel. A school district may apply for an exemption if they lack funding or personnel but must submit an alternate plan. It is this author’s opinion that the school district may not unilaterally direct an employee to be an armed guardian.

HB 3 allocates $15,000 per campus for additional security measures. As a campus administrator, you should know the condition of all the exterior doors in your school. If doors do not automatically click shut after use, document your demand that the district repair the door immediately. If these doors are emergency exits only, make sure there is a properly working alarm. Do you have an operational exterior fence? What about functioning communication tools and panic buttons in every classroom (now required by the passage of Senate Bill 838)? Are there surveillance issues you should consider?

There are thousands of campuses in this state, and each one is different. Engage your staff at an inservice. They will know the weak links in campus security you may not have thought of. Once you have comprehensively thought about these issues, figure out how you will recommend the usage of $15,000 to spend toward these items.

Also, on May 31, 2023, the TEA passed new, comprehensive school safety requirements. Title 19 Tex. Admin. Code Sec. 61.1031. Many of the items above are addressed, including a requirement that the district conduct a weekly inspection and certification of all exterior doors and report the findings to the principal.1 You should review the new TEA rules and your school board’s new safety policy when it is adopted (probably in the Policy CK area).

Parent Pick-Ups, Drop-Offs

Parent pick-up and drop-of times are chaos magnets unless there is an orderly plan. You must engage staff about this plan, understand how plan works, and clearly communicate the plan to parents, especially if you are a new campus administrator. Whether it is your plan or not, you will be held responsible if it is a hot mess.

For office pick-ups and drop-offs, make sure your front office staff knows how to use the background

check (Raptor) system. Unless modified by a court order, both parents may check a student in and out of school. What about nonparents? When a nonparent picks up a child from school, school personnel must check the most recent authorization form or the most recent court order for the nonparent’s name. Train your staff to not release a student to an unauthorized person and to immediately ask for assistance from administration if there is any question.

CPS Reporting

The beginning of the school year is a great time to remind all professional staff and classroom aides of their individual duty to report suspected child abuse or neglect within 48 hours. A staffer may not delegate that duty to anyone else, no matter the age or position of the staffer (e.g., aides must be assured they will not suffer retaliation for reporting a higher ranking staffer.) Likewise, if you should become aware of suspected abuse or neglect, you should also make the report unless you were present when it was reported. A good rule is, “When in doubt, make a report.” While that is not the legal standard, it seems to be the practical application used by CPS. If you are unsure whether to report, call CPS and let CPS give you further guidance.

Staff Handbooks and Evaluations

Whether you are using T-TESS or a locally adopted instrument, look at your district’s versions of policies DN, DNA, and DNB to review evaluation timelines and requirements. This is the time of year to let your teachers know what is expected, hold required formative conferences, and post the evaluation calendar for all to see. With T-TESS, an administrative blunder could mean an invalidation of the teacher’s evaluation, should an objection be raised. Make sure your administrative team knows its assignments in this regard.

Also, make sure staff, especially new staff, knows how to access all school board policies (Hint: Go to the district’s website and look under the school board tab.) Since few want to read the entire policy manual, confirm everyone knows how to find the employee handbook which is a handy reference guide to so many important personnel matters.

Student and Staff Confidentiality

Another good topic for an in-service meeting is student and staff confidentiality. “Educational records”

directly related to a student and maintained by an educational institution are confidential. Even among professional staff, only those with a “legitimate educational interest” have a right to review such records. Meaning, every teacher is not entitled to see every student’s records. A school district and campus should ensure that physical and technological barriers exist to prevent access to student records, except to those who have an expressed, job-related need. Consult board policy FL (legal and local) for more information.

Professional staff evaluations, including yours, are confidential and shall not be shared beyond other employees with a professional need to know.2 This rule also applies to write-ups, reprimands and the like, meaning the local newspaper (remember those?) or the angry parent cannot gain access to these documents. However, a prospective school district to which the employee has applied for employment, may ask for and shall receive, the educator’s formal evaluations.

This article is by no means close to exhausting the important topics you need to address at the beginning of the school year, but it is a start. Here is to great beginnings and a super successful 2023-24 school year.

Endnotes

1119 Tex. Admin. Code. Sec. 61.1031(d)(1)(C).

2Texas Education Code Sec. 21.355

Note: Information from Legal Ease is believed to be correct upon publication but is not warranted and should not be considered legal advice. Please contact TEPSA or your school district attorney before taking any legal action as specific facts or circumstances may cause a different legal outcome.

Kevin Lungwitz practices law in Austin and is a former Chair of the School Law Section of the State Bar of Texas.

2023 NAESP National Distinguished Principal of the Year for Texas

Guided by the belief that academic growth happens best when a child is cared for as a “whole individual,” Nikol Youngberg, EdD, the 2023 NAESP National Distinguished Principal of the Year for Texas, has created holistic and innovative learning environments for students at Flour Bluff Primary and Elementary schools in Flour Bluff ISD. Under Dr. Youngberg’s leadership, the two schools have been successfully integrated into a shared school to increase student achievement and improve the alignment of curriculum and services. In addition to serving as principal of the two schools, Dr. Youngberg is also the district’s Curriculum and Instruction Director for PK–4th grades.

“Nikol is a dedicated and highly knowledgeable instructional leader who is focused on what matters most—her students,” TEPSA Executive Director Harley Eckhart said. “Ensuring each child has access to highly effective teachers and has every opportunity to succeed drives every decision she makes on her campuses and in her district.”

Dr. Youngberg and her school received $2,500 each courtesy of long-time TEPSA partner Curriculum Associates. She will also be recognized throughout the year, including at the NAESP awards gala in Washington, DC.

Sponsored by the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP), the National Distinguished Principals program honors outstanding elementary and middle-level administrators who ensure that America’s children acquire a sound foundation for lifelong learning and achievement. Learn more at tepsa.org.

The NAESP National Distinguished Principal for Texas Award is Supported by

2023 NAESP National Outstanding Assistant Principal of the Year for Texas

Focusing on building trusting relationships with students and teachers, Sommer Reynolds, the 2023 NAESP National Outstanding Assistant Principal of the Year for Texas, has created a nurturing and engaging learning environment at Little Cypress Elementary in Little Cypress-Mauriceville CISD. Reynolds never loses sight of her ‘why’ and is intentional in building relationships with her school community. She joyfully greets students as they arrive each morning and uses her love of reading to encourage students and teachers throughout the day. Reynolds is also passionate about empowering students with creative and active hands-on learning. She leads the school district’s art integration partnership with the Lutcher Theater and the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., and has worked with teachers on her campus to incorporate movement and art into their lessons.

“Sommer has a heart for education and draws on her experience as a former teacher and librarian to ensure her students and teachers feel seen, heard, valued, and supported,” TEPSA Executive Director Harley Eckhart

said. “Her optimism and collaborative leadership have led her campus to make incredible gains in student achievement during the last two years.”

The NAESP National Outstanding Assistant Principal of the Year for Texas award is sponsored by TEPSA in coordination with the National Association of Elementary School Principals. The award recognizes assistant principals who have demonstrated a positive impact on students and learning. Learn more at tepsa.org.

The National Assistant Principal of the Year for Texas Award is Supported by

2023 TEPSA Award Recipients

H-E-B Excellence in Education Principal

Christina Barrera, Menger Elementary, Corpus Christi ISD

Region Assistant Principals of the Year

• Virginia Romero, San Benito CISD, Region 1

• Yadira Cortez, Tuloso-Midway ISD, Region 2

• Katherine Schuelke, Victoria ISD, Region 3

• Tammy Sebesta, Tomball ISD, Region 4

• Sommer Reynolds, Little Cypress-Mauriceville CISD, Region 5

• Julie Brenner, Bryan ISD, Region 6

• Angela Shine, Mineola ISD, , Region 7

• Andy McCarter, Texarkana ISD, Region 8

• Synquis Lewis, Wichita Falls ISD, Region 9

• Jaime Tracey, Van Alstyne ISD, Region 10

• Jason Winans, Birdville ISD Region 11

• Deborah Barkley, Killeen ISD, Region 12

• Shawn Maxwell, Hays CISD, Region 13

• Shannon Barnett, Abilene ISD, Region 14

• Michele Beers, San Angelo ISD, Region 15

• Sarah Ratliff, Canyon ISD, Region 16

• Kim Moore, Frenship ISD, Region 17

• Josie Mata, Ector County ISD, Region 18

• Summer Steele, El Paso ISD, Region 19

• Michelle Allen, Judson ISD, Region 20

Region TEPSANs of the Year

• Nora Lamas, La Feria ISD, Region 1

• Christina Barrera, Corpus Christi ISD, Region 2

• Kristina Hurley, Victoria ISD, Region 3

• Antoinette Clark, Spring ISD, Region 4

• Jason Morgan, Lumberton ISD, Region 5

• Donna Bairrington, College Station ISD, Region 6

• Robbi McCarter, Brownsboro ISD, Region 7

• Elodia Witterstaetter, Texarkana ISD, Region 8

• Alex Martin, Wichita Falls ISD, Region 9

• Magdalena Garcia, Grand Prairie ISD, Region 10

• Shelly Osten, Arlington ISD, Region 11

• Carol Whitley, Rogers ISD, Region 12

• SueAnna Thomas, Wimberley ISD, Region 13

• Kim Jones, Clyde ISD, Region 14

• Curt McKneely, Miles ISD, Region 15

• Amy Meek, Canyon ISD Region 16

• Amy Estrada, Idalou ISD, Region 17

• Angie Aron, Midland ISD, Region 18

• Dana Boyd, Ysleta ISD, Region 19

• America Gonzalez-Rosas, North East ISD, Region 20

TEPSA Student Leadership Award

66 schools recognized

NAESP Honor Council Excellence Schools

9 Texas schools recognized

View the list of student leadership winners at https:// www.tepsa.org/student-council/campus-awards/.

Special Thanks for Supporting TEPSA's Awards Program

Award recipients with students on their campuses (photos left to right): Yadira Cortez, Region 2 AP, Curt McKneely, Region 15 TEPSAN and Synquis Lewis, Region 9 AP.

Resources

Immigrant Children's Right to Public Education

The U.S. Departments of Justice and Education have released new guidance on the rights of migratory children and unaccompanied minors to public education. The fact sheets for educators and families outline public schools' responsibilities in serving immigrant students regardless of status.

• Protecting Access to Education for Migratory Children: A Resource for Families and Educators Available at https://bit.ly/46vAxF2

• Protecting Access to Education for Unaccompanied Children: A Resource for Families and Educators - Available at https://bit.ly/3CRVpc3

Source: Najarro, I. (2023, June 22). Feds to Schools: Immigrant Students Entitled to Free Public Education, Regardless of Status. Education Week. https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/feds-to-schools-immigrant-students-entitled-tofree-public-education-regardless-of-status/2023/06

Student Privacy Primer for Educators

The Student Privacy Compass website, a project of the Future of Privacy Forum, provides resources and news on student privacy including a student privacy primer that provides information on:

• student data concepts

• how student data privacy relates to data ethics and data equity

• key federal privacy laws

• what it means to foster a culture of privacy, and more.

Visit https://studentprivacycompass.org/resource/ student-privacy-primer/.

Source: Student Privacy Compass, https://studentprivacycompass.org/

Harmony in Purpose: Uniting Voices for a Common Goal

During the past three years in education, we have encountered and overcome many challenges and obstacles. When we think back to 2020, we faced the challenge of developing a new method of teaching students. From virtual classrooms to reopening schools we had to become pioneers. While working with limited supplies and barriers beyond our control, we became our own version of Apollo 13’s mission control team. However, during that period, we were very clear about our goal, which was to resume educating our students both in person and virtually. With this new learning environment, all district teams were required to find ways to support campus administrators, teachers, and students. Despite the challenges we faced during this period, we were forced to problem solve and reach our goal as a team.

We are essentially back to “normal” with some new tools and instructional strategies in our toolbox, but are we as united as we were three years ago?

Question 1: Do we have a shared purpose, direction, set of behaviors and goals?

What if we sat down and asked our team to write down the district vision, mission, a district value and goal, could everyone, including your campus principals, accomplish this? How well does your district team know the visions of each campus? Author John Maxwell states, “When people work together toward

a common goal, extraordinary things can happen.” However, we must ensure that our district team understands our mission (purpose), vision (direction), values (set of behaviors) and objectives (goals) from the beginning of the school year onward. In failing to take this vital step, we leave ourselves open to frustration, multiple initiatives, campus and teacher overload, and staff spinning in circles instead of moving forward.

Question 2: Do our district initiatives align with our shared mission and vision?

The authors of Leading PLCs at Work: Districtwide Leadership Strategies for Building Learning Communities wrote, “Leadership is about creating conditions that support and value people while empowering them to accomplish their best.” The best way to empower our staff is to provide them with the training, tools and support they need to accomplish the tasks they have been assigned by:

• Planning and discussing training and initiatives in advance.

• Providing support for the staff in understanding the connection between initiatives and district’s goals and how to best implement.

• Discussing with campus leaders look-fors to monitor implementation, provide feedback and determine support needed for staff to be successful.

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Supervisor Column continued from page 15

• Ensuring that the number of initiatives is doable. Attempting to do many things will result in nothing being accomplished. To achieve better results, focus on improving a few things at a time.

Question 3: Is our communication clear?

At the district level, each of us has a specific area of responsibility. Regardless of the size of your district, if our communication is not aligned, we may cause more stress on our campuses. Implementing consistent district collaboration time is essential in creating a culture of one voice. In support of each other, we can show campuses how we are moving in the same direction.

Serving public education for 20 years, longtime TEPSA member Danieli Parker is the Director of Innovation and Instructional Technology in Hallsville ISD. t @danieli_parker

Proud product of Texas public education and longtime TEPSA member, Cristi Parsons, a former Texas National Distinguished Principal, is a Solution Tree Associate supporting educators nationwide with 30 years experience. t @cristiparsons

Together, Danieli and Cristi worked as an administrative team leading schools to Solution Tree model PLC status. Through their work as Solution Tree Associates they support campus leaders on their journey to excellence.

Learn more from Danieli and Cristi this fall during the "Leadership Edge" PD modules available on-demand. See ad below or visit tepsa.org for more information.

References

DuFour, R., DuFour, R., & Eaker, R. (2016). Leading PLCs at Work: Districtwide Leadership Strategies for Building Learning Communities. Solution Tree Press.

Maxwell, J. C. (2002). Teamwork Makes the Dream Work: Together We Can Do the Impossible. Thomas Nelson.

THE LEADERSHIP EDGE INSPIRING EXCELLENCE & ACTION

Discover the power of action-oriented leadership to ignite a culture of excellence and make a lasting difference on your campus or district

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Presented by leading practitioners Danieli Parker and Cristi Parsons, the modules include self-paced video training, materials and guiding questions to create your action plan.

Guiding the Way: Crafting a Clear Path

The Power of Words: Why What We Say Matters

The Power of Tier 1 Talks

Celebrate!

Leadership by Presence

Ready, Set, Go! Strategies for Planning a Successful Start!

Learning and Growing Together

Give Me More Time! Making Every Minute Count

MEMBER NONMEMBER $299 $499

Learn more at tepsa.org.

Danieli Parker

Cristi Parsons

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Learn from Brad Montague at the TEPSA Grow Leadership Conference in November

New York Times bestselling author and creator of the web series Kid President, Brad Montague, will inspire you and your team at a time of the year when you need it most! Brad will share insights during his keynote at the TEPSA Grow Leadership Conference, November 5-6 in Austin.

Part of great leadership is identifying the diamonds in the rough and helping people who can have an even bigger impact shine. The TEPSA Grow Leadership Conference is your unique opportunity, as a building or district administrator, to bring your team for a twoday immersion into leadership and growth mindset. Learn more at tepsa.org.

Share Your Expertise: Write for TEPSA

Love writing and sharing ideas? Write for TEPSA! We’re looking for engaging content by and for Texas PK-8 school leaders to feature in TEPSA News, TEPSA Leader and the TEPSA News and Views Blog.

What article topics make great content? You’re the expert! What is on your mind as a Texas PK-8 school leader? How are you innovating and ensuring student success on your campus? What are you most passionate about—early education, equity, mentoring, literacy, technology, parent involvement, etc.? We’re open to your best tips and strategies on relevant and trending topics. Scan QR code for more information and writer's guidelines.

TEPSA Recommends: Fall Reading

Looking for professional books to add to your fall TBR? Follow @TEPSAtalk on social media for recommendations. Below are a few recent titles we've enjoyed reading.

• Reclaiming Our Calling: Hold on to The Heart, Mind, and Hope of Education by Brad Gustafson

• Lead with Collaboration: A Complete Guide for Transforming Staff Meetings by Allyson Apsey and Jessica Gomez

• Never Stop Asking: Teaching Students to Be Better Critical Thinkers by Nathan Lang-Raad

What are you reading? Tag @TEPSAtalk and #WeLeadTX with your recommendations.

Tips for a Great Back-to-School

We aren’t sure about you, but we feel like this is going to be the best school year yet! Let’s put the uncontrollables and outside noise to the side and make a commitment today. Let’s commit to always doing what is best for kids and doing all we can to provide a safe and loving environment for our students to thrive in.

The Back-to-School season is such an exciting time! It’s the start to something brand new and a clean slate for everyone. Students are anxiously waiting to meet their new teacher, teachers are anxiously waiting to see this year’s family dynamic, and parents are anxiously waiting to send their children back to school for a new school year.

For administrators, it can be extremely overwhelming for so many reasons. We have been there, so we’d like to share four tips to kick-start a great school year and help ease your stress, improve your mental health and build your confidence.

1. Relationships

We cannot emphasize this one enough! Whether you are a brand-new admin or 25-year veteran, put in the time and effort to build relationships. Get to know your new staff members, check-in on your existing staff, and build opportunities for your staff to build relationships with each other. Get to know your students! Not just their names but their families, their interests, and their dreams. I, Ross, had 600 students

in my school. I made a commitment each school year to know every student by their first name by Labor Day. Make it a challenge with your students, and have some fun with it along the way. Take the time to build the relationships now, and those difficult conversations and situations will be easier when they come up down the road.

2. Time Management

Start out on the right foot with your time! Prioritize yourself and be intentional. Schedule your day by the minute. It may sound silly, but schedule time for lunch. Even if it’s just 10 minutes to shut your door, decompress, not make a decision and think about nothing. We all know fires will start that must be put out immediately. If we schedule our days, once that fire is out we will know exactly where we left off and can plan the rest of our day accordingly. Pro Tip: Don’t be afraid to ask your secretary to stand in front of your door so you can have an uninterrupted 10 minute (minimum) lunch!

3. Routines

While the start of the school year can be crazy and we are constantly adjusting, start building in your daily routines right out of the gate. Much like your time management, be intentional about your day. If you are an early bird and being at school by 6:30 is your thing, start it the first week of school. Getting into the right routines early will not only help you personally,

Lead from the Heart/Todd Nesloney and Ross Braun

it will show your staff where your priorities are. They are watching!

4. Visibility

Being visible can naturally help build relationships for you! Be visible in the hallways, in the cafeteria, during recess, and greet every student at the door. Be visible for your staff, too. Make it a point to stop in their room each day. Not to evaluate or judge, but just to check on them and see how they are doing. Be visible for your community and families. Take the time to get to know them. Start your year off with an informational video where they get to see your face, hear your voice and get to know who you are. Share with them this year’s theme, the school’s core values, and the goals you have for their child. Be visible now so when they come storming into the office about Johnny’s B+ in October, they know who they are getting.

In the end, it’s all about how we set the tone. This year is going to start exactly how you envision it. If

you find yourself down, frustrated, and already worn out, it’s time to RESET!

Lean on those around you, make time to take care of you so you can take care of others, and bring your best self ready to serve those around you. You’ve got this!

Todd Nesloney is TEPSA’s Director of Culture and Strategic Leadership. He is an award-winning educator, author and international speaker.

t @TechNinjaTodd

Ross Braun is a small town principal in Indiana helping his students chase big-time dreams! He is passionate about climate and culture and making learning fun for his students and staff.

t @the_MrBraun

“To

my school the very next day.”

$1095 $895

Special thanks to our TEPSA partners for their continued support and generosity!

You have until Oct. 31, 2022 to find out how you and your employees can take advantage of the limited-time changes to Public Service Loan Forgiveness

Learn more

Representatives

Resource Partners

Horace Mann Service Corporation and certain of its affiliates (Horace Mann) enter into agreements with educational associations where Horace Mann pays the association to provide services aimed at familiarizing association members with the Horace Mann brand, products or services. For more information, email your inquiry to association.relations@horacemann.com.

AM-C04626 (Jan. 22)

Program Partners

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Event Partners

Photo (left to right):

from Classroom Champions, Lifetouch and the Daily Mile at the 2023 TEPSA Summer Conference at the Round Rock Kalahari.

Is something missing from your agenda?

It’s a busy time as you get ready for another school year.

While you prepare for a successful year ahead, who’s going to help your employees meet their needs outside of the classroom? That’s where Horace Mann, a long-time corporate supporter, can help.

Horace Mann is dedicated to serving the unique needs of educators. They can help your employees:

• Plan for retirement and learn about their state retirement system benefits

• Take advantage of the discounts and benefits of home and auto insurance designed with

educators in mind

• Determine if they can reduce, or even remove their student loan debt

• Learn how to use DonorsChoose to get funding for classroom projects

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DonorsChoose is not an affiliate of Horace Mann. Horace Mann Insurance Company and its affiliates underwrite Horace Mann auto and home insurance. Not all discounts and benefits available in all states.

Horace Mann Service Corporation and certain of its affiliates (Horace Mann) enter into agreements with educational associations where Horace Mann pays the association to provide services aimed at familiarizing association members with the Horace Mann brand, products or services. For more information, email your inquiry to association.relations@horacemann.com.

AM-C04737 (May 23)

501 East 10th St

Austin, TX 78701

800-252-3621

www.tepsa.org

TEPSA Highlights

Calendar/Deadlines

• Have you renewed your membership for 2023-2024? Log in to your member profile at tepsa.org to renew now! Access resources and protect your career with professional liability insurance.

• Connect with local leaders at TEPSA Region Meetings! Visit https://bit.ly/ regionmeetings to find a meeting in your area.

• Grow your student leaders! Fall Student Leadership workshop schedule coming soon.

• Ensure success in your role with targeted learning designed specifically for Texas PK-8 APs: TEPSA Assistant Principals Conference, October 9-10 in Austin.

• Bring your team for a two-day immersion into a leadership and growth mindset: TEPSA Grow Leadership Conference, November 5-6 in Austin.

Engaging Elementary Students Through Experiential Learning

Helping their schools decide how to spend $2,000 of the school budget, elementary students in several Arizona schools are learning critical lessons in civic participation and responsibility. The schools are part of a pilot program on school participatory budgeting with the Center for the Future of Arizona, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization. The Center's school model engages students in a democratic process that includes working together to develop funding proposals and voting to fund projects (Center for the Future of Arizona, 2023).

In an Education Week article, Denisa R. Superville writes that student-funded projects are overwhelmingly focused on social-emotional learning, nature and sustainability (e.g. school gardens, playground equipment and outdoor seating).

Learn more at bit.ly/3M6MTLX.

Sources: Superville, D. R. (2023, April 28). If You Gave Elementary School Students $2K, How Would They Spend It? Education Week. https://www.edweek.org/leadership/if-you-gave-elementary-school-students-2k-how-would-they-spend-it/2023/04.

Center for the Future of Arizona. (2023). https://www.arizonafuture.org.