Raising School Leaders
At the helm of every Texas school is a strong leader who is equipped to support teachers, develop future leaders, create systems of change to ensure better outcomes for all students, and advocate for their school, community, and public education as a whole.
Research indicates a principal is second only to the classroom teacher in terms of impacting student learning and achievement.
From 2008 to 2025, the Charles Butt Foundation’s Raising School Leaders program invested in those serving in this pivotal role by sponsoring over 1,600 principals and other educational leaders across the state to attend training at The Principals’ Center at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. The Foundation covered all airfare, lodging, and tuition expenses, as well as a stipend for each cohort member. While at Cambridge, the Foundation’s facilitators supported principals in networking, setting goals, and developing action plans for when they returned to their campuses.
The Foundation’s support continued through year-long participation in a community of practice focused on campus improvement and individual leadership development, and the opportunity to attend an annual Leadership symposium. All participants became part of an alumni network and received ongoing professional development and connection.
Over its 17-year run, Raising School Leaders participants leveraged their Harvard learnings, relationships with cohort members, and personal growth to propel positive change in their schools – impacting hundreds of thousands of students, teachers, and communities across the state.
We asked alumni from across the years to share what being part of this program has meant to them personally, professionally, and to the school communities they lead. These are their powerful insights.
Fast facts
school leaders sponsored
different Harvard institutes attended
regions of the state represented
years
The Leadership: An Evolving Vision cohort opened so many doors for me. I live in a rural community, and we are 90 miles from an H-E-B. Being such a small district, we have limited resources. My ability to go to Harvard not only impacted me but all the people that I work with and the students that I serve … Through Raising School Leaders, I had access to high-quality professional development that made an immeasurable difference. Dr. Tamara McWilliams, Superintendent Services, Education Service Center Region 15, Raising School Leaders Alum 2018
The Leadership: An Evolving Vision cohort opened so many doors for me. I live in a rural community, and we are 90 miles from an H-E-B. Being such a small district, we have limited resources. My ability to go to Harvard not only impacted me but all the people that I work with and the students that I serve … Through Raising School Leaders, I had access to high-quality professional development that made an immeasurable difference.
For 15 years, the annual Leadership Symposium was a time for alumni from our statewide programs to rekindle personal and professional connections and enrich professional learning. Months of meticulous preparation unfolded into three days of fellowship, presentations, breakout sessions, and dialogue on all things public education, with local, state, national, and global emphasis. The symposium inspired our alumni to broaden their scope of influence beyond their campus and to push their thinking and practice beyond its current state. Explore our recap blogs and videos from across the years to re-live these inspiring events.
One of my favorite sessions was on family engagement with Dr. Mapp. It was, hands down, my favorite professor speaking, ever. It was thinking about how we give parents a seat at the table versus just having them participate in activities we do. I was opening up a brand new campus, and that became a stake in the ground as far as how we the needle in a positive way. Michael Thomas, Wortham Intermediate School, Frisco ISD Raising School Leaders Alum 2023
One of my favorite sessions was on family engagement with Dr. Mapp. It was, hands down, my favorite professor speaking, ever. It was thinking about how we give parents a seat at the table versus just having them participate in activities we do. I was opening up a brand new campus, and that became a stake in the ground as far as how we the needle in a positive way.
If you are an alum of one of our state-wide programs and are looking for ways to stay connected and engaged, visit our Alumni Engagement page.
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Director of Leadership Development
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