Alumni Engagement

Program Alumni Network

Alumni engagement is critical to scaling and sustaining our statewide programs’ impact. Members of our alumni network are educators who have been sponsored by or received grants from the Charles Butt Foundation (previously the Raise Your Hand Texas Foundation). These dedicated campus and district leaders, teachers, and university faculty comprise a community of practice of over 2000 members. Together, these remarkable educators serve as prime examples of what works and is possible in public education. Participants of the following current and former programs and grant opportunities are who we consider members of our alumni network:

• Raising School Leaders (Harvard Leadership Institutes)
• Raising Blended Learners
• Raising Family Partnerships
• Charles Butt Scholarship for Aspiring Teachers
• E3 Alliance, Relay Graduate School of Education
• Teaching Trust
• New Leaders
• Rice Education Entrepreneurship Program (REEP) Business Fellowship
• Harvard University’s Data Wise Improvement Process
• International Center for Leadership in Education (ICLE)

Program Goals

1. Foster a strong, connected network of educators across the state of Texas committed to learning and improving together to meet the needs of all Texas students
2. Connect educators from all represented Education Service Center regions through active and growing learning communities.
3. Strengthen the ability of our program alumni to guide their schools and communities through everyday challenges and exceptional circumstances.

CBF Connect: Your Networking Platform

All current program participants and alumni of our statewide initiatives are invited to join our exclusive network tool. This platform allows us to deepen our connections virtually and strengthen our community of practice.

Features include:

CBF Connect Live event series

In 2024, the Foundation launched a new regional learning and connection opportunity through our CBF Connect Live event series. If you are a current program participant or alum, please join our CBF Connect networking platform to stay up-to-date on these events.

Leadership & Scholar Symposia recaps

For 15 years, the Foundation hosted an annual Leadership Symposium bringing together hundreds of dedicated school leaders from across the state to rekindle personal and professional connections and enrich their professional learning. For five years, the Foundation has also hosted a Scholar Symposium bringing together Charles Butt Scholars and Scholar Alumni for three days of dedicated learning and connection. Explore our recap blogs and videos from across the years to re-live these inspiring events.