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Last summer, as my family was preparing to return to Texas and I was transitioning back into the Foundation, I had the privilege of spending two hours in conversation with Charles Butt. As with every meeting I have with him, I was struck by his humility and his genuine curiosity about and concern for the world and the people around him. For well over an hour, he asked me about my background, my beliefs, my hopes for public education, and.
Carolina De Anda working side by side with her dual-language students, fostering an environment where every background is treated as an instructional asset. Photos courtesy of H-E-B Excellence in Education. Coastal redwoods grow to be the tallest trees in the world by weaving a wide, interconnected root system. The teaching profession operates in a similar way. It is a shared journey built on community, and educators thrive when they are supported by a network of mentors, colleagues, and institutions. Carolina.
“Relationships open the door to learning. Great instruction walks students through the door.” These words define a high standard for education in Texas. But for a new teacher, standing in front of a classroom for the first time, having the heart to lead and having the confidence to lead are two different things. At the Charles Butt Foundation, we believe that a teacher’s confidence to lead is built through intentional preparation. Through the Charles Butt Scholarship and our Raising Texas.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE AUSTIN, TX (January 14, 2026) – The Charles Butt Foundation today announced that Cody Huie will become the organization’s next President, effective January 1, 2026. Huie succeeds Dr. Shari Albright, who has served as President for more than seven years and will become an advisor to the CEO for Fair Winds Management, LLC, the management company for Charles Butt’s philanthropic work. This transition reflects stability for the Foundation as it advances its mission of supporting strong public.
LaDerrington Bradford and Jeffrey Rogers both teach at their alma mater in Cleveland, Texas. See how their shared journey is impacting the next generation.
LaDerrington Bradford is the heart of Cleveland High School in Cleveland, Texas. He knows every student, every family connection, every story. He’s the kind of skilled educator who makes students believe the impossible is within reach.
The Texas Tribune hosted two panel discussions on how Texas can best attract, prepare, and retain teachers. The conversation focused on a few urgent questions: How can Texas recruit more highly trained teachers – and keep the ones it already has? What’s contributing to high turnover? How do we define what makes an effective teacher?
For Teacher Appreciation Week, the Charles Butt Foundation extends our deepest gratitude for your extraordinary work. We’re inviting video submissions from teachers, families, and the public to spotlight the creativity, passion, and life-changing power of teachers.
No two journeys into the classroom are the same. Each Charles Butt Scholar brings a unique perspective, collection of skills, and purpose to teaching – but they all share one powerful thing: a deep passion for helping students reach their full potential. Hear what Charles Butt Scholars have to say and share your own story!
When Uvalde CISD began its search for new leadership, Ashley Chohlis felt a deep calling. “I felt compelled to apply for the job and come and do the work necessary to bring back a sense of safety and security in our schools and the community. I want to make sure that Uvalde kids have opportunities and a future.”
We at the Charles Butt Foundation want to express our sincere gratitude to the teachers throughout our state doing incredible work. Last year, our public opinion research, heartfelt storytelling, strategic programming, and community partnerships all made one thing crystal clear — teachers deserve our respect and support.
We partner with 20 university-based educator preparation programs across Texas to deliver the Charles Butt Scholarship for Aspiring Teachers. Faculty teams from each institution are also part of our University Partnerships work through the Raising Texas Teachers program. As university partners, each institution is committed to four pillars of a strong teacher preparation program…
Melinna Chessher, a Charles Butt Scholar, shares how mentorship has changed her life. “My mentor has helped me in a variety of ways to boost my confidence as a teacher, and as an individual.”
In addition to financial support, the Charles Butt Scholarship network creates opportunities for new and aspiring educators to support one another along their professional journeys. It’s this ongoing support and community that Guadalupe and Monica say sets the scholarship apart from other programs.
At the Charles Butt Foundation, our vision is that every student, in every classroom across Texas, has an effective teacher every year. To help us achieve this vision, we are excited to announce five new partner universities of the Raising Texas Teachers program, which now serves 21 university-based teacher preparation programs across the state.
National First-Generation College Student Day represents an opportunity to raise awareness about the experience of first-generation college students and ways to ensure their college-going experiences are equitable to those of their continuing-generation peers.
How did Urlel and Mark go from casual conversation over chips and salsa to collaborating as colleagues?
LaTonia Amerson and Tai Ingram met in 2015 through the Raising School Leaders Harvard Leadership program.
An early-career, bilingual teacher demonstrates the power of leading as your authentic self.
Mentoring new teachers to improve instruction and retain early-career educators represents an essential, proven component of teacher induction.
We believe every student, in every Texas classroom, must have an effective teacher every year. In 2017, we launched the Raising Texas Teachers initiative in an effort to make that goal a reality.
Crystal Romero-Mueller was elated when Deniss Moreno requested her as a mentor.
Our state’s longstanding teacher shortage represents a systemic challenge that must be addressed. Texas must build on the great work already underway in many districts and at several university teacher preparation programs.
Our 15th annual Leadership Symposium brought together over 300 dedicated school leaders from across the state to spend three days connecting with one another.
We asked our alumni to reflect on the meaningful relationships they’ve made through these networks. These were their responses …
November 8th is National-First Generation College Student Day. The Charles Butt Scholarship celebrates the scholarship recipients who identify as first-generation college students today, and every day!
UTSA and Texas State have been engaged in programmatic improvement through Raising Texas Teachers since its inception.
To celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, we’re honoring voices in the Hispanic/Latino/a/x/e community reflected in public schools across Texas.
Rewrite the Stars. A Charles Butt Scholar, Star Brown, redefines her legacy through teaching. Read her story.
All Charles Butt Scholars are invited to an annual symposium for the opportunity to network and benefit from a shared learning experience.
This year will mark our 14th annual Leadership Symposium and 4th annual Scholar Symposium.
Students having teachers of similar ethnicity or race significantly decreased exclusionary discipline for Asian American students.
According to data from our 2022 Charles Butt Foundation Poll, Texans value teachers more today than ever, and they trust them more than…
From women managing a classroom to women guiding the vision for a district, the impact of women on public education is undeniable.
We are committed to helping create a more equitable and prosperous future for all students, especially our students of color and those from low-income families.
In a brand new job under unthinkable circumstances. New surprises every week. Trying to support students in ways they never expected. And yet they say they “would not want to be in any other profession.” Ten Charles Butt Scholar alumni, now first and second-year teachers, share their struggles, victories, and learnings a few months into the 2020-21 school year. These new Texas teachers find inspiration in their profession, and in the process, inspire us. Clarissa Rodriguez 1st Grade Teacher | Treasure Hills.
Three theatre teachers demonstrate an indomitable and innovative spirit in their approach to engaging and empowering students in COVID times.
I have hope in America’s future. This year has been tumultuous for many students and families, yet they are resilient. Educators and communities have worked together to provide meals, WiFi, technology devices, and the best education possible for all students, no matter if they are learning at home or six feet apart in person. The amount that the school community and community partners have come together to support the students that attend our school has been awe-inspiring. Education continues to.
An aspiring teacher in her first year of college unexpectedly finds a mentor when she reconnects with her own elementary school principal.
Our 2020 Charles Butt Scholar Virtual Conference, focused on what makes Texas public schools unique – they are innovative, diverse, and for all.
Khaniya Russell is a Charles Butt Scholar and student at Trinity University. We asked Khaniya to share her perspective with us about what it’s like to be an aspiring teacher during this time, and what we can learn from her cohort’s experiences.
After 70 years, Dan Rather Returns to His Alma Mater, Heights High School in Houston, Texas.
Early on this scholar knew that inclusion — in education, postsecondary opportunities, careers, and our community — would be her life’s passion.
How the lack of black male teachers fuels one scholar’s passion
Our inaugural Charles Butt Scholars Symposium brought together students from 10 universities around Texas who have been selected to receive the Charles Butt Scholarship for Aspiring Teachers.
Raquel is a migrant farm worker who spent nearly every summer of her life working in the fields of Michigan alongside her family.
Explore the story of C’Sherica Shaw, a future teacher who believes in the power of love and purpose in the classroom.
How education, family, and football forged a future in teaching for a small town standout
An Early College High School in El Paso, Texas is changing what students and their families believe is possible.
How we designed the Raising Blended Learners (RBL) year 1 ecosystem of support and which Technical Assistance (TA) Providers were involved.