Navigating the Politics of District Initiatives

Doug Williams, Sunnyvale ISD Superintendent
Christi Morgan, Sunnyvale ISD Assistant Superintendent

Whether it is launching community-based accountability, a new strategic plan or trying to pass a TRE or a Bond, there are so many complexities to initiating change. This session will focus on how to navigate the politics in a way that brings the community together to stay focused on what is best for students.

 

The Secret to Transformational Leadership

Quintin Shepherd, Victoria ISD Superintendent

Authentic and long-lasting transformational leadership requires us to learn and then speak a new language. The simple fact is that our words get in the way of our intention. We need to know what context is appropriate for the transformational language. The “secret” is quite simple, and yet deceptively difficult we must learn this new language and know when to apply it. Principles from the book by the same name will be shared.

 

 

Your People, Your District, Your Story

Sheleah Reed, Aldine ISD Chief of Staff and Chief Communications Officer

Storytelling is a core competency of truly great leaders. Your brand is a promise to your community, curated and adopted by you, the district leader, and internalized by your team. This session will provide a step-by-step process on establishing your district identity — from establishing your core talking points to making space for community voice — to authentically and effectively tell the story.

 

Connecting the Dots Between Qualitative Data and Post-Impressionist Art

Jimmie Walker, Alamo Heights ISD Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction

Survey questions can tell you the degree to which students feel like they belong or have rigorous expectations, but multiple choice questions can’t tell you the why. In this session, Alamo Heights ISD will share the collaborative methodology they use to code open-ended responses from Feedback February, our annual community survey event. We will frame the process through the lens of post-impressionist art.

 

See the Need, Meet the Need

Jeni Neatherlin, Granger ISD Superintendent

Understanding and utilizing emotional intelligence is vital to leadership in today’s world. See the Need, Meet the Need, touches on the habit and systems within your organization that meet the needs of your people while maintaining a culture of high expectations and accountability. People feel a sense of belonging where they are cared for and valued. Calm the storms of chaos with attentive systems of action.