Agenda: Wednesday, January 27

Wednesday Detailed Agenda

8 am – 9 am | EXPO

Expo & Networking Grab a cup of coffee and visit the Expo to learn more about the products and services offered by our conference sponsors and exhibitors. Find out how they can help you achieve your campus or district goals. See page 19 for a list of exhibitors.

9 am – 9:45 am | SESSIONS

Concurrent Sessions Join the session room for the session that interests you. If more than one catches your eye, don’t worry! Participate in one live, and watch the recording of the other one later. You’ll have 30 days after the conference to view sessions you missed! See page 57 for a list of sessions in this time slot.

10 am – 10:45 am | SESSIONS

Concurrent Sessions See page 59 for a list of sessions in this time slot.

11 am – 12:15 pm | MAIN STAGE

Closing General Session Dr. Chris Howard, president of Robert Morris University, will wrap up the TASA Midwinter Conference with his presentation on 8 Ways to Accelerate Your Leadership Odyssey. See page 61 for details. The 2020 Golden Deeds for Education Award recipient will also be honored during this session.

Wednesday Session Descriptions

Wednesday, January 27 9-9:45 a.m.

Prioritizing College Readiness During a Pandemic

College and Career Readiness

Monica Baines, Director, Advanced Academic Services, Alief ISD Angela Dominguez, Assistant Superintendent of Academics, Edgewood ISD (ESC 20) Michelle Swain, Director, Gifted and Advanced Academic Services, Round Rock ISD Roel Piseno, Sr., Executive Director, Educational Partnerships, The Princeton Review

Educators have adapted to the challenges of the moment, implementing effective virtual learning strategies while supporting students and staff through uncertainty caused by the pandemic. Join our panel discussion with district leaders who will share how their districts assess students’ most urgent college-readiness needs and how they provide support virtually.

A+: Enlisting Community Partners to Promote Social-Emotional Learning

Community Engagement

Matthew Neighbors, Principal, Galveston ISD Elizabeth Brown, Galveston ISD Michelle Hammonds, Assistant Principal, Galveston ISD

Beginning in 2019, Austin Middle School in Galveston ISD launched an innovative “A+” period to begin each school day. Created with express social-emotional goals based on campus survey data, the innovative program has increased parent and community involvement. Hear how a comprehensive focus on student growth has captivated stakeholders and driven partnerships to support student outcomes.

Cybersecurity Best Practices while Working from Home

Digital Learning and Technology Integration

Lewis Wynn, Director of Technical Support, Austin ISD Dev Shah, Director, Applications and Cybersecurity, Plano ISD

This interactive session will provide helpful strategies when working away from the office. Learn the best practices about using VPNs, Zoom issues, how to mitigate risks associated with phishing, vishing, SMS phishing, and other tips and tricks that can protect employees when working online.

Managing Through a Pandemic: How to Maintain Access and Equity

Equity and Social Justice

Jennifer Porter, Managing Director, OnRamps, The University of Texas at Austin

In March 2020, the gaps in access and equity were monumentally magnified by the disruption of COVID-19. Castleberry ISD and Northside ISD, in partnership with OnRamps, were able to ensure their students remained engaged in dual enrollment courses across diverse campuses with attention to equity. This presentation will focus on the strategies and frameworks in place to meet the needs of students in an evolving learning context.

Strategic Excellence

Pandemic Planning and Response

Deann Lee, Superintendent, Millsap ISD John Briese, Technology Director, Millsap ISD Edie Martin, Assistant Superintendent Curriculum and Instruction, Millsap ISD

As discussed in The 4 Disciplines of Execution, don’t allow the whirlwind to distract from wildly important goals. The Learning Community is imperative for student success, particularly in a COVID world. Proactive communication helps prevent reaction and continuously seeking feedback is necessary for a growth mindset of improvement. The technology toolbox must be adjusted for multiple and fluid learning environments

Focusing on Opportunity over Adversity — Connecting and Impacting a Community

Community Engagement

Mark Ruffin, Superintendent, Normangee ISD Tera Phillips , Curriculum Director, Normangee ISD Trae Davis, Principal, Normangee ISD

In the midst of school closures, Normangee ISD focused on using the opportunity to impact and connect with its community on a whole new level. A culture that is committed to optimistic thinking and building positive relationships helped drive decisions in reacting to COVID-19 in spring 2020.

First Aid for the Post-Pandemic Classroom: Helping Teachers Help Students

Student Safety

Molly Adams, Curriculum Coordinator, Royse City ISD Taryne Dismuke, Executive Director, Cultural Development, Royse City ISD

In the midst of school closures, Normangee ISD focused on using the opportunity to impact and connect with its community on a whole new level. A culture that is committed to optimistic thinking and building positive relationships helped drive decisions in reacting to COVID-19 in spring 2020.

Choosing Love: Fostering School Safety from the Inside Using Focused SEL Approach

Student Safety

Shae Owens, Counselor, Hillsboro ISD Aleshia Fleming, Counselor, Hillsboro ISD Stephanie Tucker, Principal, Hillsboro ISD Robin Ralston, Principal, Hillsboro ISD

Social and emotional learning continues to be at the forefront of educational research as an integral part of a child’s lifelong education. Hillsboro ISD embraces the FREE Jessie Lewis Choose Love For Schools to teach SEL skills combined with Character Education, Mindfulness, and Neuroscience. We will share how to positively impact your school culture and community with this focused approach to SEL using the universal message of “Choosing Love.”

Supporting Remote Learning and Working during the Pandemic

CTO / Digital Learning and Technology Integration

Lewis Wynn, Director of Technical Support, Austin ISD Leslie Garakani, Chief Technology Officer, Midlothian ISD Becky Cook, Director, Instructional Technology, CypressFairbanks ISD

This moderated panel discussion will explore the lessons learned while supporting staff and students during this pandemic. Discussions will cover best practices for device management, network support, and best instructional practices for online teaching and learning.

Wednesday, January 27 10-10:45 a.m.

Designing a Pride Campaign that Sticks

Community Engagement

Demetrus Liggins, Superintendent, Greenville ISD Helen Williams, Chief Communications Officer, Greenville ISD Amy Wade, Public Relations & Marketing Liaison, Greenville ISD

All schools and communities are about the people who make them up. How do leaders capture the mosaic that connects a community? Greenville ISD asked people who they were, what they were about, and what being a part of GISD meant to them. The district listened. The district shared. As community members reflected on how education enriches them, they began to talk about the schools as “us,” not “them.”

Compression in a Recession? Prospects for School Funding in a Time of Pandemic

District Operations and Finance

Lynn Moak, Partner, Moak, Casey & Associates Daniel Casey, Partner, Moak, Casey & Associates Josh Haney, Associate, Moak, Casey & Associates Catherine Knepp, Associate, Moak, Casey & Associates

Moak Casey staff will examine the current state of the Texas economy, the biennial revenue forecast, the cost of the Foundation School Program, and what is being discussed regarding formula funding.

Leveraging Technology to Address Social Justice and Equity for Underrepresented Students

Equity and Social Justice

Thomas Randle, Superintendent, Lamar CISD Kaye Williams, Principal, Lamar CISD Julie McCain, Teacher, Lamar CISD Dolores Caamano, Managing Director, Partnership

Development, Equal Opportunity Schools This session is specifically designed to address both social justice issues and equity of access to upper level classes at the secondary level. Using new technology, the audience will understand how barriers can be identified and addressed. Data produced is a springboard for ongoing conversations, as successful campus and district innovators in equity share their story of conquering social injustice.

Educational Equity Through Professional Learning Redesign

Equity and Social Justice

Marie Mendoza, Executive Director, Professional Development, Spring ISD Stacey Baughn-Hunt, Professional Development Facilitator, Spring ISD Karol Guillum, Professional Development Facilitator, Spring ISD

Taylor Guilley, Lead Development Specialist, Spring ISD This session describes one district’s professional development cycle redesigned to support the need for teachers to engage in critical reflection on praxis. Attendees will learn how the model supports eradicating pockets of inequitable student outcomes by embedding support systems including purposeful phases of implementation, and feedback through a growth mindset lens.

Multi-tiered Systems of Support to Optimize Learning During the Pandemic

Pandemic Planning and Response

Cynthia Jaird, Executive Director, Irving ISD

Multi-tiered System of Supports (MTSS) is a framework that empowers educators to support students in the areas of prevention, enrichment, and intervention. During the pandemic, it became critical to implement MTSS to ensure that students who were engaging remotely and in-person were successful. The session will focus on proactive approaches to ensure that schools are serving all of their vulnerable students with equity and excellence.

PD during a Pandemic: How is it Possible?

Pandemic Planning and Response

Colette Pledger, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum & Instruction, Robinson ISD Willie Thomas, Director, Media Services & Integration, Robinson ISD

Is professional development during a pandemic possible? With careful planning, teacher feedback, and analysis of needs, PD is possible. Robinson ISD will share the moves they made during the spring closure, as well as their strategies for the 2020-2021 school year.

Reimagining School

School Transformation

Stephanie Williams, Executive Director, Organizational Transformation, Fort Bend ISD Ashley Causey, Director-STEM Curriculum and Instruction, Fort Bend ISD Melissa Hubbard, Executive Director, Teaching & Learning, Fort Bend ISD Kwabena Mensah, Assistant Superintendent, Fort Bend ISD

Strategy, systems for communication and collaboration, and a cross-functional design team supported Fort Bend ISD’s transition during COVID-19 to an online work and learning environment. This session will provide participants an opportunity to analyze the district’s transformation efforts through the design team. Participants will engage with leaders, review expectations, systems, and support structures that led to success while reflecting on components that can influence future change efforts.

Transformational Turbulence: Redesigning Learning During a District Closure

School Transformation

Tory Hill, Superintendent, Sweeny ISD Charolet Kremmer, Executive Director of Teaching and Learning, Sweeny ISD Amy Pope, Assistant Superintendent, Sweeny ISD Amber Stowers, Coordinator of Academic Services and Instructional Technology, Sweeny ISD

The perfect storm creates turbulence that disrupts an organization. Participants will gain insights into the ways in which Sweeny ISD, a small school district, transformed learning during COVID-19. SISD will share their journey

of how a bottom-up transformational approach created the conditions most conducive for leaders, teachers, and students to reinvent themselves to reach their greatest potential.

SEL for Everyone! MTSS Approaches to Target Early-Childhood Students and Integrating Adult SEL

Student Support Services and Vulnerable Populations

Megan Pape, Director of Special Education & 504, Bellville ISD

Examine SEL research and data that demonstrates differing prosocial skills early-childhood students need facilitated at school and factors that contribute. Explore how to target individual student needs using the MTSS framework, and how intentional capacity building with Adult SEL is used in implementation. Participants will engage in reflection, leave with ideas for utilization, and depart with a tool Bellville ISD developed to support early-childhood SEL implementation.

Career Readiness through Community Engagement

College and Career Readiness

Janie Cook, President, Junior Achievement of South Texas Sheila McDonald, Program Manager, Junior Achievement of South Texas Dalia Johnston, College and Career Readiness Specialist, East Central ISD

Looking for innovative ways to prepare students for college and career? Learn about unique partnership opportunities available with Junior Achievement to prepare students for the real world. Hear from a Texas public school partner why they choose JA’s cutting-edge K-12 TEKS aligned programs.

Using Technology to Re-Open Schools during the Pandemic

CTO / Digital Learning and Technology Integration

Leslie Garakani, Chief Technology, Midlothian ISD Courtney Carpenter, Interim Superintendent, Midlothian ISD Paula Ross, Technology Manager, Cypress-Fairbanks ISD Barbara Brown, Sr. Director of Technology, Prestonwood Christian Academy

There were many moving parts to get schools reopened after the shutdown. Learn from a panel of technology experts on what their districts did to make the opening as smooth and safe as possible. The panel will discuss how their districts created task force groups that planned strategically and used technology to facilitate the reopening. Participants will have time to interact with the panel and hear about their lessons learned.

Bridging the Digital Divide during a Pandemic

CTO / Digital Learning and Technology Integration

Shad McGaha, Chief Technology Officer, Wichita Falls ISD Kevin Schwartz, Chief Technology Officer, Austin ISD Steve Wentz, Retired CTO

COVID-19 exposed great inequities in our educational system with many students not having equal access to at-home devices or broadband internet access. Learn from a panel of technology experts on various ways districts dealt with the digital divide during the pandemic. Hear some of their future plans of new ideas to provide more equitable access for all students.

Wednesday, January 27 11 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.

Closing General Session: Dr. Chris Howard

President, Robert Morris University 8 Ways to Accelerate Your Leadership Odyssey Dr. Chris Howard, the eighth president of Robert Morris University, will speak about “8 Ways to Accelerate Your Leadership Odyssey” during his keynote remarks. This is his playbook for developing character-based leadership skills applicable to anyone, in any field, at any time. Dr. Howard will share personal and professional life lessons that he has learned throughout his athletic, intelligence, military, corporate, nonprofit, and higher education experiences. Never have these lessons been more relevant, given the crises that every organization has faced in 2020, from the pandemic to the recession to the struggle for social justice.

Requirements for the Standard Superintendent Certificate Texas Administrative Code §242.15

(See note at the bottom of this page for educators who hold the Lifetime Superintendent Certificate)

The Superintendent/Principal is an educational leader who promotes the success of all students by practicing learner-centered …

S 1 2 P 1 2

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N/A

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7

Values and Ethics of Leadership Leadership and District Culture

Human Resources Leadership and Management

Policy and Governance

Communications and Community Relations

Organizational Leadership and Management

Curriculum Planning and Development

Instructional Leadership and Management

Acts with integrity, fairness, and in an ethical manner Facilitates the development, articulation, implementation, and stewardship of a vision of learning that is shared and supported by the school community Implements a staff evaluation and development system to improve the performance of all staff members, selects appropriate models for supervision and staff development, and applies the legal requirements for personnel management Understands, responds to, and influences the larger political, social, economic, legal, and cultural context; and works with the board of trustees to define mutual expectations, policies, and standards Collaborates with families and community members, responds to diverse community interests and needs, and mobilizes community resources Provides leadership and management of the organization, operations, and resources for a safe, efficient, and effective learning environment Facilitates the design and implementation of curricula and strategic plans that enhance teaching and learning; provides for alignment of curriculum, curriculum resources, and assessment; and uses various forms of assessment to measure student performance Advocates, nurtures, and sustains a district culture and instructional program conducive to student learning and staff professional growth

Effective September 1, 1999, individuals who have not completed all requirements for the Lifetime Superintendent Certificate will be issued the Standard Superintendent Certificate that must be renewed every five years. Current holders of the Lifetime Superintendent Certificate are not required to participate in the renewal process but may voluntarily choose to do so. The renewal process for superintendents, principals, and assistant principals includes obtaining 200 hours of continuing professional education (CPE) credit every five years. The local school board will be notified at the end of a five-year period of any employed superintendent participating in the renewal process, as required or voluntarily, who has not met renewal requirements.

Complete information on SBEC rules for educator certificates and renewal requirements for superintendents, principals, and teachers can be found on the Texas Education Agency’s website, www.tea.state.tx.us.

The Texas Association of School Administrators proudly endorses the following: