This year’s “Campus to Capitol” leadership conference was a first-of-its-kind event. It kicked off with a high-energy design thinking workshop, followed by dinner and a private screening of the critically acclaimed movie “Most Likely to Succeed.” And that was all before the symposium even got underway!
Our conference theme was “Go Beyond,” a call to each of you to assess the great work you’re doing now while committing yourselves to pushing beyond those barriers that can impede the work of educating 21st century students.
This year’s symposium included a trip to the state capitol, three renowned keynotes, breakout sessions led by Harvard and Texas Tech professors, and, for the first time ever, public school student speakers. (Watch their 3-minute speeches in full below.)
We’d like to extend a special shout-out and thank you to five of your fellow alums who made us believe in the power of “going LIVE” on social media. Principals Paul Baez, Tai Ingram, Abbe Lester, Natalia Ramback, and Rod Trevino agreed to help us bring to life the many ways school leaders must go beyond every single day. If you missed it, we invite you to watch this year’s opening video. And we’d love to know how you are going above and beyond the call of duty in order to strengthen public education on your campus. Share your “go beyond” story with us, and perhaps we’ll send our multimedia producers to your school.
Thank you to all the principals who identified on chalkboard the obstacles you plan to go beyond on your campus. Our interactive photo booth captured your pledges in .gif form for posterity. Click here to see and download your images.
Meetings with your statewide elected officials provide you the opportunity to initiate and grow relationships with decision-makers who shape Texas public education policy and funding. The goal is for school leaders to become resources for their representatives, and to communicate the successes Texas students are experiencing in their public schools. But, you don’t have to wait for the symposium to visit your legislators. The option is always available to you. Find out who represents your school by entering your campus address here.
What I liked best was that my representative wanted to know how he could help us in our schools. We invited him out to come see what’s actually going on at the campus. He said he would work hard to get out and come see the great things we’re doing. Dr. Cheryl HenryPrincipal, Cypress Springs High School
What I liked best was that my representative wanted to know how he could help us in our schools. We invited him out to come see what’s actually going on at the campus. He said he would work hard to get out and come see the great things we’re doing.
I met with one of my representative’s aids. She was very attentive. She took notes, and she said she would be contacting me because she knew the representative would want to work on the issue I identified. Dr. Kim KlepcykDean of Academic Partnerships and Initiatives, Lone Star College, Kingwood
I met with one of my representative’s aids. She was very attentive. She took notes, and she said she would be contacting me because she knew the representative would want to work on the issue I identified.
It was a very positive meeting. My representative isn’t on the education committee, but she had some insight into some of the issues in our community. One of our principals actually had a parent concern about his school that we were able to address. Dr. Robert Long IIIPrincipal, Deloras E. Thompson Elementary School
It was a very positive meeting. My representative isn’t on the education committee, but she had some insight into some of the issues in our community. One of our principals actually had a parent concern about his school that we were able to address.
Download a copy of the full agenda including detailed conference information and speaker bios.