Raising School Leaders
Applications closed
Applications for the 2024 cohort are closed. Our next cohort will open in late 2024 or early 2025. To stay up-to-date, join our email list.
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. The our primary strategy for the Raising School Leaders program, and the Foundations first statewide program, consists of a week-long leadership development institute through The Principals’ Center at the Harvard Graduate School of Education and yearlong participation in a community of practice focused on campus improvement and individual leadership development. Yet, the investment and support are much greater. All participants become part of an alumni network and receive professional development and connection through the annual Leadership Symposium.
Since 2008, the Foundation has sponsored over 1,500 school leaders to participate in a variety of professional development programs offered through The Principals’ Center at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. These summer institutes inspire, challenge, and empower both new and seasoned campus leaders across Texas.
The annual Leadership Symposium, co-presented by the Charles Butt Foundation and Raise Your Hand Texas, is a time for alumni from all of our PK-12 statewide programs to rekindle personal and professional connections and enrich professional learning. Months of meticulous preparation unfold into three days of fellowship, presentations, breakout sessions, and dialogue on all things public education, with local, state, national, and global emphasis. The symposium inspires our alumni to broaden their scope of influence beyond their campus and to push their thinking and practice beyond its current state.
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.
If you are a past program participant of one of our state-wide programs and are looking for ways to stay connected and engaged, visit our Alumni Engagement page.
If you are a current Charles Butt Scholar or Scholar Alum, please check your email for instructions on how to join our new CBF Connect Platform.
Director of Leadership Development
Check out our other statewide programs