2023 Leadership Symposium recap

The future of Texas starts here. 2023 Leadership Symposium.

2023 Leadership Symposium

Our 15th annual Leadership Symposium brought together over 300 dedicated school leaders from across the state to spend three days connecting with one another. Texas wouldn’t be the same without these incredible educators who go above and beyond for their students and staff. 

The space allowed attendees to learn, collaborate, advocate for public education during legislative visits at the Texas Capitol, reflect on accomplishments, and get inspired to continue their crucial work with one another.

Don’t miss a compilation video of educators in their schools to celebrate the Texas Education Starts Here theme; a video commemorating the awards and recognitions alumni have received over the last two years; and a video interview with artist, Kimie Flores.

Snapshots

The future of Texas starts with educators’ dedication to public education day in and day out. In bringing their vision, leadership, and hope of public education into their communities. The future of Texas starts with inspiring future educators and encouraging those alongside us. The future of Texas starts in continuing conversations with our elected officials. In raising the voices of our communities and the challenges facing public education. The future of Texas starts with each and every educator.

Thank you to everyone who attended our 2023 Leadership Symposium. The Charles Butt Foundation and Raise Your Hand Texas are incredibly grateful to our Leadership Alumni, and all you do for the Alumni Network and for Texas students. You are the heart of our work.

Cody Huie, Charles Butt Foundation Vice President of Programs and Dr. Vicki Phillips sit in grey chairs on a stage speaking to one another with a banner behind them reading the future of Texas starts here.
Woman smiles as she reaches for her lanyard name tag at an event registration table.
Two women stand in front of a bright colored banner titled celebrating 15 years of leadership & advocacy as they read timeline descriptions on the banner.
Artist, Kimie Flores, stands as she paints a teacher's face on a large mural on a canvas in front of a floor to ceiling window.
A woman stands in front of a banner titled celebrating 15 years of leadership & advocacy as she reads timeline descriptions on the banner.
Three educators stand next to one another smiling and looking forward.
A woman and man have a conversation in front of a banner reading celebrating 15 years of leadership & advocacy.
People sit at tables listening as woman stands speaking into microphone in a ballroom conference space.
A woman and man sit in grey chairs on a stage with a banner behind them reading the future of Texas starts here. The woman is holding and speaking into a microphone.
Three educators sit at a table in a large conference ballroom setting as they engage in discussion with one another.
6 people stand together smiling in a brightly lit room with a window behind them.
Woman smiles as she speaks into microphone standing at a podium on a stage with a banner behind her that reads the future of Texas starts here.
A large group of educators and school leaders smile as they stand together in front of the Texas Capitol. The front row of people are holding signs that read I advocated for public education today! with a Raise Your Hand Texas logo.
18 educators stand together on the steps of the Texas Capitol smiling looking straight forward.
Two women stand next to one another as they embrace and smile.

#TxEdStartsHere

A horizontal collage of two photos of the same 4 educators posing together smiling. The top photo is outdoors in front of a banner reading every classroom, every child and a 2019 sticker. The bottom is indoors in front of a banner reading you belong in your public school with a 2023 sticker.
Four educators stand close together in front of a colorful banner reading celebrating 15 years of leadership and advocacy with text reading #leadershipsymposium #TxEdStartsHere
Two educators stand close together smiling in front of a small crowd and the Texas capitol building with text reading from teaching 5th grade together almost 20 years ago to advocating for public schools at the Capitol!!
Three educators stand close together smiling in front of the Texas capitol building with text reading because educational policy advocacy is important! purple heart emoji #TxEdStartsHere #LeadershipSymposium #UnderTheDome
Three educators stand close together in front of the Texas capitol building smiling and holding signs that read I advocated for public education today! with a Raise Your Hand Texas logo.
Two educators stand close together smiling with text reading 2009 Art of Leadership is when I first met Martin Silverman, and our paths have continued to cross over the years! Who else went to Harvard in 2009?
Five educators stand close together for a photo booth photo. Three of them are wearing festive purple, yellow and green eye masks celebrating Mardi Gras with text reading making memories with great friends.
Seven educators stand close together in front of the Texas capitol smiling.
Three educators stand close together smiling with text reading #DignityBuddies Thank you for your leadership and bringing this topic to the forefront Dr.Hicks! I've connected with two great dignity buddies!