Newss Texas Elementary Principals Elementary Principals &Texas Supervisors Association and Supervisors Association
Serving Texas School Leaders Since 1917 | March/April 2024 | Vol. 81, No. 2 | www.tepsa.org
Educating Military Connected Children: Three Main Ideas Learn Action Steps to Support Students and Celebrate Month of the Military Child in April By Andrea K. McClain, EdD Military connected children are a special group of students whose parents’ military service simultaneously benefits and challenges them. Military kids’ lives are often impacted by three major factors: moving frequently, their parents’ overseas deployments to war zones, and post-deployment family reunification issues. Implementing thoughtful school and district policies can help address these challenges. Just knowing more about these three main factors can help educators support students’ needs. Currently, there are 1.6 million U.S. military connected children worldwide, according to the U.S. Department of Defense.
Even if you are far away from the nearest military base, you probably have students whose parents are on recruit duty or reservists who can deploy to war zones at any time. There are 15 military bases and over 174,000 military service members, both active duty and reservists, in Texas.
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Meet the candidates running for TEPSA State Office including Vice President and Member At-Large on pages 10-13. Please cast your eballot by March 5 at 5pm (CST).
Have you registered for the premier event of the year for Texas PK-8 school leaders? Join your peers for game-changing strategies and connections at the TEPSA Summer Conference, June 12-14 at the Round Rock Kalahari. See page 6 for a peek at our all star speaker line-up including keynotes by Darryl Bellamy, Jr., Anne Grady, and Drum Cafe.
Ballots were emailed to voting members in February. Check your inbox (and spam folder) for an email with voting credentials from electionsonline.com. If you need help with your voting credentials, please email heather@tepsa.org. Interested in getting more involved with TEPSA? Contact your region officers or email todd@tepsa.org for information.
Moving Frequently
Military connected children are a highly transient group. On average, they attend six to nine schools before graduating high school, according to data from Military One Source. They may cycle through ) page 4
Don't forget: Proof of conference registration is required before reserving a hotel room through the housing bureau at all hotels in the TEPSA block. The conference registration early rate ends March 15. Learn more and register at tepsa.org.
Inside Guest Column
with Gary Henry, EdD page 7
Legal Ease
with Kevin Lungwitz page 8
The "S" in TEPSA with Heather Stoner, EdD page 14
Lead from the Heart with Todd Nesloney and Ross Braun page 16
Coherence is using one strategy to inform all tiers of instruction for all students. Coherence is instruction driven by data. i-Ready drives coherence with confidence.
Discover i-Ready at CurriculumAssociates.com/TEPSA.
Texas Elementary Principals & Supervisors Association
Executive Committee Cindy Tierney President-Emeritus, Lufkin ISD Cooper Hilton President-Elect, Coppell ISD Dana Boyd Vice President, El Paso ISD Gerrie Spellmann Member At-Large, Alamo Heights ISD Jaci Underwood Member At-Large, Lubbock ISD Annette Sanchez NAESP Representative, Beeville ISD Harley Eckhart TEPSA Executive Director Standing Committee Chairs and Vice Chairs Elodia Witterstaetter Advocacy Chair, Texarkana ISD Magdalena Garcia Advocacy Vice Chair, Grand Prairie ISD Veronica Delgado Membership, Marketing & PR Chair, Crowley ISD Lorena Carrasco Membership, Marketing & PR Vice Chair, Pasadena ISD LaToya Patterson Programs & Services Chair, Spring ISD Lindsey Clayborn Programs & Services Vice Chair, San Benito CISD Yolanda Delaney Nominating Committee Chair, Canyon ISD Julie Gauthier Nominating Committee Vice Chair, Port Neches-Groves ISD Region Presidents Nora Lamas La Feria ISD (1) Lori Maldonado London ISD (2) Yasmina St. Jean Victoria ISD (3) Rachelle Ysquierdo Sheldon ISD (4) Jennifer Fisher Silsbee ISD (5) Donna Bairrington College Station ISD (6) Brittany Eldred Quitman ISD (7) Liliana Luna Texarkana ISD (8) Jared Jacobs Wichita Falls ISD (9) Erin Whisenhunt Grand Prairie ISD (10) Celina Goss Hurst-Euless-Bedford ISD (11) Carol Whitley Rogers ISD (12) SueAnna Thomas Wimberley ISD (13) Alana McClure Jim Ned CISD (14) Curt McKneely Miles ISD (15) Amy Meek Canyon ISD (16) Amy Estrada Idalou ISD (17) Maxine Barrera Gonzales Midland ISD (18) Jonathan Flores Socorro ISD (19) Amy Malone Comal ISD (20) TEPSA regions coincide with regional education service center boundaries. Staff Harley Eckhart Executive Director Joni Carlson Director of Events & Governance Cecilia Cortez Marketing & Communications Manager Kristina Jaimes Exhibits & Student Leadership Manager Anita Jiles Associate Executive Director for Marketing & Communications Trae Kendrick Chief Operating Officer Elizabeth Kernan Membership Services Coordinator Heather Loomis Events Services Coordinator Belinda Neal Associate Executive Director for Instruction Todd Nesloney Director of Culture & Strategic Leadership Louis Silvas Web Content Specialist Mark Terry Deputy Executive Director TEPSA News Published six times a year by Texas Elementary Principals and Supervisors Association. Subscription is included in TEPSA membership dues. Postage paid at Austin, Texas. Articles may be reproduced by TEPSA members without written request, provided that duplication is for an educational purpose at a nonprofit institution; copies are available without charge; and each copy includes full citation of the source. Copyright © 2024 by the Texas Elementary Principals and Supervisors Association. Contact TEPSA 501 East 10th Street Austin, TX 78701 512-478-5268 800-252-3621 Fax: 512-478-1502 www.tepsa.org
TEPSA President-Emeritus/Cindy Tierney Happy Spring, TEPSANs! Spring symbolizes new growth and transformation. We enjoy warmer temperatures and the revitalization of life around us. However, spring can be a stressful time in the school business. Resiliency is an important characteristic as leaders navigate teams through the demands of rigorous assessments and an extremely busy time of year. Merriam-Webster defines resilience as the ability to recover from or adjust easily to adversity or change. Resilient individuals ride the waves through difficult circumstances while maintaining balance and well-being. So how do we build resilience in ourselves and those around us? One of the best strategies is to intentionally recognize and appreciate the blessings in your life. Our bodies are unable to feel anxiety and gratitude at the same time, so it is important to spend time focused on gratitude. Before you get out of bed each day, close your eyes, and think of individuals who are important to you. Visualize their faces as you think of reasons you are thankful for their presence in your life. This habit will accentuate what is important and start each day with a positive outlook. Several times throughout your day, stop, take a few deep breaths, and notice things around you. Focusing attention on what you see, hear, and smell, will provide rest for your brain, reduce stress, and provide you with renewed energy for the tasks at hand. Another strategy is to prioritize kindness. Everyone has someone in their life who occasionally tests their patience. When you recognize these individuals may be facing their own set of struggles, you may develop a greater sense of compassion. When you silently send positive thoughts to individuals who challenge you, your brain releases dopamine, which improves your mood and increases happiness. Finally, take time to engage in activities that bring you joy and relaxation. You may enjoy exercise, a favorite hobby, or spending time with family, friends and loved ones. These activities recharge your batteries and prepare you for whatever comes your way. I hope these simple strategies help you build resilience in yourself and those around you. As you finish strong and thrive in the face of challenges throughout the remainder of the year, please remember the wise words of Danny Meyer: Life is a series of waves to be embraced and overcome. Ride the wave, y’all!
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TEPSA News
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Educating Military Connected Children: Three Main Ideas continued from page 1 schools on military installations run by local public school systems; Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) schools in the U.S. and overseas; private schools in the United States; private international schools; and public schools off base. Not all military connected students live and attend school on military installations. Schools on military bases serve only a fraction of all military connected children. Due to personal preference or base housing shortages, many military connected families live in the nearby towns surrounding military installations. In addition to adjusting to curricular and cultural changes between different states and countries, students also need to develop new friendships with every move. These frequent moves can impact them socially, emotionally, and academically.
related with an uptick in domestic violence and child abuse for some families. Some service members return home to financial surprises. Other families struggle with the aftermath of infidelity. Some individuals will return early due to injuries. Some will not return at all due to being Missing in Action (MIA), Killed in Action (KIA), or being taken Prisoner of War (POW).
Deployment
• Track “military connected child” status in your student database system • Track military connected students’ test scores, behavior/discipline concerns, health office visits, and counseling needs • Have a plan to remediate for key reading and math skills • Create a welcome protocol for newcomers • Use textbook tables of contents to get a quick overview of incoming students’ skills • Expedite the Student Study Team process • Learn about rank, Military Occupational Specialty (MOS), income, and how it impacts your students • Support the “suddenly military” child • Update your attendance policies to excuse absences for special events • Create a “newcomers” section on your school and district websites • Learn about Third Culture Kids • Reach out to foreign-born military spouses • Consider a book study outlining the 7 Cs of Resilience (Dr. Kenneth Ginsburg) • Share Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) paperwork and protocols at IEP meetings • Build a relationship with the School Liaison Officer • “Purple Up” to celebrate the Month of the Military Child in April • Explore the Military Child Education Coalition website, www.militarychild.org • Learn about the Military Interstate Children’s Compact (MIC3) • Find out which of your students are impacted by the deployment cycle • Create counseling groups specifically for students impacted by the deployment cycle • Read Chapter 6 of the RAND study on deployment • Purchase/curate deployment-themed library books
Military connected children face significant academic and emotional challenges when their parents are deployed to overseas combat zones or on a naval ship for months. The deployment cycle includes the pre-deployment phase, the deployment phase, and the post-deployment family reunification phase. Each phase can impact students greatly. In the case of a rapid mobilization deployment (vs. a planned deployment), the pre-deployment phase may be a matter of days, not months. For example, thousands of military personnel were deployed just days after the Oct. 7 attacks in Israel, and many are surely parents. According to a 2016 study by the RAND Corporation, having a deployed parent is associated with “an 11-percent increase in pediatric visits, a 19-percent increase in behavioral disorders, and an 18-percent increase in stress disorders.” Researchers also found “significant decreases in test scores for children of deployed parents, with longer deployments associated with lower test scores.” Deployment can also impact students’ classroom behavior and peer relationships. The RAND study noted that older children were even more likely than younger ones to have increased behavioral and emotional problems and speculated that their increased comprehension of the dangers of war could explain why.
Post-Deployment Family Reunification Phase
The first 90 days after service members return from a deployment are called the post-deployment family reunification phase. This homecoming period can be a time of joy as well as struggle as families reintegrate the military member back into family life. Some homecomings are happier than others. The first 90 days after military personnel return from deployment are cor-
Action Steps
When half of my students’ parents at Fort Knox deployed to Afghanistan, I developed and implemented action steps to support their academic and socialemotional needs. I’ve curated this experience into 70 action steps that can help any school support military connected students K-12. Here are some of them:
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March/April 2024
and set up a special display • Host a free Tell Me A Story event through the Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC) • Share information about Operation Purple Camp • Support students after a notification (KIA, MIA, POW) • Consider purchasing Kimochis, especially Hero the Dog
Keep in mind…
Some military connected students need additional academic and emotional support to thrive. However, many demonstrate tremendous resilience and high levels of academic achievement. You will encounter voracious readers and impressive mathematicians. You will meet social butterflies who can move halfway across the world without missing a beat. They will make new best friends before recess and teach everyone how to count to 10 in Japanese or German by the end of lunch. Not every military connected child needs extra support. Many make the switch to a new school effortlessly. Resilience, friendliness, and leadership can be positive side effects of being a military connected child. This article addresses areas of need because those require our
support. When everything is going well, as it will for many military connected children, celebrate their resilience and carry on!
Dr. Andrea K. McClain is a Marine brat and an educator. She is a former DoDEA principal, a current elementary school principal, and the UC Davis C-STEM Administrator of the Year for 2023. Her first book, "Educating the Military Connected Child: A Professional Development Handbook for Educators and Policy Makers" is available on Amazon and is free on Kindle Unlimited. Learn more at https://bit.ly/3vDdj1S. Follow on Instagram @militarykidprincipal. Note: The Department of Defense data is from www.defense. gov/Spotlights/Month-of-the-Military-Child/, accessed on June 15, 2023. The Military One Source data is from www.militaryonesource. mil, accessed July 21, 2023. The RAND study can be found at: https://www.rand.org/ pubs/research_reports/RR1388.html Population data is from www.militarybases.com/Arizona/ and www.governing.com
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Presented by leading practitioners Cristi Parsons and Danieli Parker, the modules include self-paced video training, supporting documents, guiding questions to create your action plan, monthly motivation materials, invitation to
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TEPSA Summer Conference
June 12-14, 2024 Round Rock Kalahari
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Hayward R. Jean
Stephanie McConnell
Special Thanks
More than 100 sessions on trending topics. Interactive exhibit hall with the latest educational products and services. Fun opportunities to build your professional network and more! Scan QR code or visit tepsa.org to learn more and register!
Tia McIntosh
Ruby K. Payne, PhD
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Adam L. Saenz, PhD
Dan St. Romain
March/April 2024
Guest Column/Gary Henry, EdD
Fostering Positive Relationships with Colleagues Campus leaders are responsible for an extraordinary number of tasks. It seems those tasks increase every year without much removed from those responsibilities. Many of those responsibilities could be delegated to an assistant principal or other staff member effectively. For those delegated responsibilities to show success, fostering positive relationships with your colleagues is instrumental. In my 30 years of experience in education, I have identified four components to fostering positive relationships which will make your work more enjoyable and successful. 1. Know Your Team 2. No Surprises 3. Be a True Leader 4. Show Appreciation
1. Know Your Team
Understanding and knowing your leadership team is critical to your success. There is a lot of research on the topics of understanding your staff and many different activities you can complete with your team for everyone to understand each other’s strengths. When
TEPSA News
you know your team, you can use that information to assist in your delegation of tasks. In addition, you will be able to have more in-depth conversations with your team members regarding how to provide experiences to assist in improving their effectiveness as administrators. You will also learn more about your own leadership through those experiences and conversations. We are never done as leaders. We should always look towards improving our skills.
2. No Surprises
Surprises are fun when you are receiving a gift from a loved one; however, in our world of education, no one likes surprises. Establishing and maintaining positive relationships with colleagues both on the campus and at the administration building includes eliminating surprises. When we have negative interactions with parents or staff members, it is important to remember to give your support personnel at the administration building a “heads-up” and your version of the interaction. When you follow these steps, your administration team will follow your lead and do the same when you are away. The “No Surprises” rule provides everyone with a clear understanding of a conflict and time to develop a response to create a remedy. ) page 17
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😡
Legal Ease/Kevin Lungwitz
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The Angry Parent and Social Media There is an ascendant parent movement in public education. Some parents seek to hold educators responsible for what was once considered “doing one’s job.” Librarians are castigated for the books in the library, teachers are criticized for discussing social issues, and principals are responsible for all of it. Gone are the days when an angry stakeholder would write a letter to the editor, who might fact-check it before publication. Today, an angry parent controls the means of publication via social media. There is no debate that parents should be engaged in their children’s education. Parents have a right to complain, there are official avenues for doing so, and it should be done civilly. But what can you do if you are on the receiving end of criticism that is beyond the pale? Move to eject an abusive parent from school property. Parents do not have a right to be abusive or threatening. Threats should be reported to law enforcement. State law allows the school principal (in addition to law enforcement) to eject any person from the school property and refuse re-entry if: (1) The person poses a substantial risk of harm to any person; or (2) The person behaves in a manner that is inappropriate for a school setting.1 To keep off of the front lines, request that law enforcement take this action, but consider doing it yourself if law enforcement drags its feet. Save evidence. If you are being complained about on social media, preserve screenshots of all evidence. This may be useful as things develop.
Consider filing a criminal complaint for outrageous and egregious online behavior. Texas Penal Code Section 42.07 criminalizes repeated electronic communications sent in a manner reasonably likely to harass, annoy, alarm, abuse, torment, embarrass, or offend another; or publishes on an Internet website, including a social media platform, repeated electronic communications in a manner reasonably likely to cause emotional distress, abuse, or torment to another person. The First Amendment protects a lot of speech, but it does not likely protect threats, abuse, and intentional harassment. Request the social media platform to remove abusive content. Many social media outlets have processes for reporting abusive content.2 It might be worth contacting the social media outlet to see if they will censor the content. If it can be safely done, offer to meet with the parent and a central office administrator or some other witness. The mere offer could take the wind out of their sails. A meeting could be fruitful. On the other hand, the rejection of a meeting will reveal the person’s true objective to continue to gripe in public. Record the meeting. Also, assume you are always being recorded in any contentious phone call or meeting. Inform the parent of their right to file a grievance. Like an offer to meet and discuss, the parent’s response to an offer to file a grievance may be revealing. Do they want to be heard in a civil process where the
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March/April 2024
participants are motivated to find a resolution? Or does the parent want to continue to rant in public? Do nothing. Do you have the support of the people above you in the chain of command? Do those people understand you are a good employee? Is the angry parent a “frequent flyer” known for being loose with facts and logic? If so, consider laying low and letting the flame die out. While it can be unnerving to endure, most complaints and complainers have a shelf life. If you trust your bosses, let them run interference for you. Also, keep in mind that responding to an unhinged complaint can also give it the attention it desperately seeks. See the Streisand Effect.3 Encourage the school district to make a statement. If the complaint is not going away and is gaining traction in the community, it might be time to respond. If the district has your back, the district should bring forth the weight of the institution to defend its loyal employee(s). To incentivize the district to respond, perhaps you could draft a response for the district to edit. If the complaint is brought on social media, the district could respond on its Facebook page. If the complaint made it to TV news, the district should put its spokesperson in front of your campus or the boardroom. If the parent has been given an opportunity to meet with school officials and file a grievance, but has done neither, that point should be made abundantly clear to the public.
(or the board) is questioning your actions, and if you have received a negative employment action, you should consider hiring a lawyer to protect your job. TEPSA insurance helps to defray some legal costs in protecting your job.6 Hire a lawyer to go after the complainant. You have the right to sue anyone for saying patently false things that hurt your character, but it is not so easy. The First Amendment protects truth, opinion, and satire, even if cruel and uncivil. (It does not protect threats and abuse.) You will not likely be able to keep a parent from circulating a Facebook petition that says you should be fired. A parent has a right to have the wrong opinion. While “the principal is a jerk” is not likely actionable, “the principal is a pedophile” might be. There are complex factors to consider before sending a cease and desist letter, or before filing suit, so you must seek competent legal advice.
Conclusion
Unlike employees or students, school officials have little control over a parent. They cannot be fired, reassigned, or disciplined. We respect that parents have statutory and First Amendment rights to complain, but you are entitled to be treated civilly. If not, the school district should have your back.
Keep talking to trusted supervisors. Keep checking in with your bosses to make sure you are still in good standing despite the withering attacks. Let your bosses know what you have done to correct any perceived merit to the otherwise uncivil complaint. Talk to friendly board members. If the school board is aware of the complaint, if you sense the board does not know the whole story, and if you question the support of your bosses, talk to friendly board members. While this may be frowned upon by central office, if you have lost faith in your supervisors and are concerned for your job, what have you got to lose? You have a legal right to talk to board members and you should not be retaliated against for doing so.4 Get legal assistance to respond to a lawsuit. If you are sued by the angry parent for performing your job, the school district should defend you. As a TEPSA member, you also have professional liability coverage.5 If you are sued for a job-related incident, you should call TEPSA immediately so that a timely insurance claim can be made. Hire a lawyer to defend your job. If the complaint has gained enough traction that upper administration TEPSA News
Kevin Lungwitz practices law in Austin and is a former Chair of the School Law Section of the State Bar of Texas.
Endnotes
1Tex. Educ. Code §37.105 2“The best way to report abusive content or spam on Facebook is by using the Report link near the content itself.” https://www.facebook.com/ help/1380418588640631 “When something gets reported to Facebook, we review it and remove anything that goes against the Facebook Community Standards.” https://www.facebook.com/help/1753719584844061 3“The Streisand effect is the way attempts to hide, remove, or censor information can lead to the unintended consequence of increasing awareness of that information. It is named after … Barbra Streisand, whose attempt to suppress [a] … photograph of her cliff-top residence in Malibu, California … inadvertently drew greater attention to the photograph ...” Wikipedia, last update, December 11, 2023. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Streisand_effect 4Texas Education Code Section 11.1513(j) 5For details, on the TEPSA website, go to “Membership” then “Legal Services” then “2023-24 Policy Summary.” Insurance coverage is determined by the insurance company, not TEPSA, its lawyers, employees, or agents. 6Id. Note: Information from Legal Ease is believed to be correct upon publication but is not warranted and should not be considered legal advice. Please contact TEPSA or your school district attorney before taking any legal action as specific facts or circumstances may cause a different legal outcome. 9
Election Information - TEPSA State Office
Votes must be cast electronically at www.tepsa.org by 5pm (Central) March 5.
Cooper Hilton Coppell ISD Region 10 President Continued Term
Dana Boyd El Paso ISD Region 19 President-Elect Continued Term
Jaci Underwood Lubbock ISD Region 17 Member At-Large Continued Term
Annette Sanchez Beeville ISD Region 2 NAESP Representative Continued Term
Each year TEPSA members elect two officers: • Member At-Large: A 2-year term that supports the work of the association. • Vice President: A 3-year term that supports the work of the association and culminates in serving as the President. Every three years, members elect the NAESP Representative.
Required Qualifications to Run for TEPSA State Office • Service on the TEPSA Board of Directors or TEPSA Standing Committees • Must be a TEPSA member in good standing for at least three consecutive years immediately prior to nomination • Support from the TEPSA Region Executive Committee and school district superintendent • Must be a practicing administrator who deals directly with early childhood through grade eight instructional programs • Professional demeanor and ability to communicate
Vice President – Contested
Stephanie Coronado
Rachelle Ysquierdo
Current Position: Principal, Valley Ranch Elementary PK-5, New Caney ISD, New Caney, TX, Region 6
Present Position: Director of Teaching and Learning, Sheldon ISD, Region 4, EC – 12th Grade
Formal Education M.Ed., Educational Administration, Stephen F. Austin University, Nacogdoches, TX • B.S., Interdisciplinary Studies, University of Houston Clear Lake, Houston, TX • Rice University REEP Program 2014 • Elementary Self-Contained (Grades EC-6) • Elementary ESL (Grades 1-8)
Formal Education Doctor of Education in Administration and Leadership for Teaching and Learning, Walden University – Minneapolis, MN February 2019 • Master of Science in Educational Management, University of Houston – Clear Lake, Houston, TX December 2004 • Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies, University of Houston – Clear Lake, Houston, TX December 1999
Educational Leadership • Reading Language Arts District Committee 2022-present • Aspiring Administrator Presenter 2020-present • New Principal Mentor • District Safety Committee • Ron Clark Academy 2023 • Science of Teaching Reading Academy • District Teacher of the Year Selection Committee • ISTE Conference 2017-2019 • Region 4 Digital Learning Conference Presenter • District Principal and Assistant Principal Interview Committee • Professional Development Sub-Committee • Writing Consortium • ICLE Training, Model Schools Conference • Humble ISD Education Foundation Elementary Chair • CHAMPS trainer • Texas Behavior Support Initiative
Educational Leadership • Sheldon ISD Principal Mentor • Texas Elementary Principals and Supervisors Association Summer Conference Presenter • Oversee the Sheldon ISD New Teacher Mentor Program • Member of the Literacy Task Force to improve literacy in the district • Smithsonian Science Education Center STEM Education Summit 2019 • Smithsonian Science Education Center STEM Education Summit Alumni Workshop 2021
TEPSA Leadership/Involvement/Awards • TEPSA member, 18 years • TEPSA Board of Directors 10
TEPSA Leadership/Involvement/Awards • TEPSA Region 4 TEPSAN of the Year 2021 • TEPSA member 2006-present • TEPSA Region 4 President 2022 – present • TEPSA Region 4 President-Elect 2021 – 2022 • TEPSA Region 4 Board Member 2015 – 2023 • TEPSA Summer Conference attendee 2010 – 2023 • TEPSA Summer Conference presenter 2014, 2019, 2021, 2022 March/April 2024
Stephanie Coronado continued
Rachelle Ysquierdo continued
• TEPSA Nominating Committee • TEPSA Nominating Committee Vice Chair • TEPSA Membership, Marketing & PR Vice Chair • TEPSA Standing Committee, Legislative Advocacy Day • TEPSA Membership, Marketing & PR member • TEPSA Assistant Principal Nominating Committee • TEPSA Region 4 Officer • TEPSA Conference Session Reviewer
• TEPSA Standing Committee (Membership, Marketing & PR) 2015 – 2019 • TEPSA Standing Committee Chair (Membership, Marketing & PR) 2017 – 2019 • TEPSA Standing Committee Vice Chair (Membership, Marketing & PR) 2016 – 2017 • TEPSA National Assistant Principal Selection Committee 2016 – 2018, 2021
School Honors/Accomplishments • CREST Award • TEA Recognized School • Education Foundation Grant Winner • HEB Excellence in Education Grant Winner • HEB Excellence in Education Award – Outstanding Administrator nomination • Student Council Leader Recognition Community Involvement • Partner with Church at Valley Ranch • Christmas Angels • Boy Scouts of America • Girl Scouts • PTO Family Fun Nights • HAAM Food Drive • Pennies for Patients participant • LIMBS International School • Susan B. Komen Breast Cancer Walk • Running Club Sponsor • Go Green Club Sponsor • Garden Club Sponsor • Kids Hope Mentor Program • 1st ever district Color Run • Relay for Life and American Heart Walk participant • Ronald McDonald House Student Council Drive • Implemented the WATCHDOG program at three schools • Church volunteer Other Professional Networks • TASA Member 2023 • Principal Institute 2022 • Raise Your Hand Texas 2014 • ASCD member 2007-2014 • Lambda Delta 2010 • NAESP member 2015 Platform Statement I believe in working every day to be better today than I was yesterday. In education, we must constantly think about, read, research, and look for ways to make what we do even better. The world has changed, and our students depend on us even more than before! The role of an administrator is demanding and everchanging. Principals wear many hats and must meet the needs of so many daily. My passion for kids and education has grown during my 27 years in education. This is not about one class, one school, or one district. It is about all of our kids in Texas! I feel I can help continue the excellent work that TEPSA does to help make positive change and celebrate the greatness occurring in our schools every day. TEPSA guides administrators to continue making an impact through collaboration and continuous learning. We want students to be the best they can be and then continue to grow and make progress! I am committed to advocating for Texas schools and want others to see the greatness that occurs each day. My passion for TEPSA contributes to meaningful change and growth for students across the state! I would be honored to serve as your TEPSA state officer and appreciate your support so we can continue to inspire and assist others in reaching their goals. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of students. TEPSA News
School Honors/Accomplishments • 2018 Principal of the Year – Sheldon ISD • 2020 Principal of the Year – Sheldon ISD • 2021 Principal of the Year – Sheldon ISD • 2021 TEPSAN of the Year • Transformed campus into a STEM campus • National Institute for STEM Education – Received National STEM Certification 2020 (former campus) • School-Wide AVID Elementary Campus (former campus) Community Involvement • Partnership Lyondell to receive school supplies for students in need and established a Pen Pal program with 4th-grade students – Sheldon ISD • Partnership with the City of Baytown to develop the Walk to School Program – Goose Creek CISD • Partnership with Community Resource Credit Union in Partner in Education – Goose Creek CISD • Lead Greeter at Living Hope Church Other Professional Networks • National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) • Texas Council of Women School Executives • Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development Platform Statement It is my utmost passion to continue learning and growing professionally, and TEPSA has been an invaluable resource for me as an administrator. Therefore, I am submitting my application for the position of Vice President. If elected as Vice President, I will work in close collaboration with the Executive Committee to enhance TEPSA’s outreach to administrators by promoting membership across all regions and highlighting the benefits of being a TEPSA member. Additionally, I will work alongside Region Officers to assist them with member recruitment within their respective regions. Having been part of TEPSA for over 17 years, I am extremely grateful to have learned so much from this organization. I have attended the TEPSA Summer Conferences for a decade and also the Grow Conference, and each time I leave with valuable information that I can take back to my campus or district. The experience is always motivating and invigorating. Over the years, I have also had the privilege of serving on the Standing Committees and Region 4 Board, and I have built lifelong friendships and gained immense knowledge from each of these roles. By serving on the Executive Committee, I will represent administrators who aspire to grow and network with others, so they can achieve success. My experiences will enable me to represent the needs of our communities effectively. I am proud to call myself a TEPSAN, and I am thrilled at the prospect of representing this exceptional organization. #WeLeadTX 11
Member At-Large – Contested Lori Gallegos
Amanda Schmitter
Present Position: Director of Leadership Development, Northside ISD, Region 20, Grades PK-12
Present Position: Principal, Rayburn Elementary STEAM Academy, Grand Prairie ISD, Region 10, PreK-5th Grade, and Employee Childcare
Formal Education Trinity University, M.Ed. in Education Administration: 2000 University of Texas at San Antonio, M.A. in Education Specialization in Curriculum and Instruction: 1995 • Texas Lutheran University, B.A. in Multidisciplinary Studies: Specialization in Reading Education; Early Childhood Endorsement: 1992 • University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, Australia, International Student Exchange Program: Spring, 1991 Educational Leadership • Mentored 6 NISD Principals – 2007-2018 • Presentations: • “Journey to Dual Language: Deciding Which Road to Travel” NABE, TABE, & La Cosecha Dual Language Conference, Albuquerque • “Developing Instructional Leadership through Principal Networks” Secondary School Summit HSTW/MMGW State Conference • “Judgment and Problem Analysis: Decision Making and Problem Solving” Region 20 Cohort of Leadership Associates (Principal Alternative Certification) • “The Learning Tree Program at Villarreal Elementary” National Afterschool Association Conference • Keynote Speaker at the UTSA Student Teacher Induction Ceremony TEPSA Leadership/Involvement/Awards • National Distinguished Principal Texas State Finalist, 2017 • Region 20 TEPSAN of the Year, 2022 • TEPSA Standing Committee Member: Programs and Services Committee, 2023-2024 • TEPSA Standing Committee Member: Nominating Committee & Advocacy Committee, 2022-2023 • TEPSA Region 20 Past President, 2022-2023 • TEPSA Region 20 President, 2021-2022 • TEPSA Region 20 President Elect, 2020-2021 • TEPSA Region 20 2nd Vice President, 2019-2020 • TEPSA Region 20 Treasurer, 2018-2019 • TEPSA Summer Conference Session Reviewer, 2021 & 2022 • TEPSA State Summer Conference Presenter, 2011 • TEPSA Member, 2000-Present School Honors/Accomplishments • Kuentz Elementary named a Franklin Covey “Leader in Me” campus ultimately receiving Lighthouse School designation in 2019 • Kuentz Elementary named the PepsiCo Recycle Rally National Champions in 2011 and in the Top 10 in the nation for 10 years, resulting in over $100,000 cash awards for the campus • Kuentz Elementary Student Council named a TEPSA Honor Council for 5 consecutive years • Kuentz Elementary Earned TEA Distinction Designation: Top 25 Percent: Comparative Closing the Gaps, 2019 • Kuentz Elementary won over 10 awards from the city of Helotes for Best in Show (Parade Float and Walking Group) and First Place in non-profit category (Parade Float and 12
Formal Education University of North Texas, M.A. Education Leadership, 2009 • Texas Christian University, 2005 • Ursuline Academy of Dallas, 2021 Educational Leadership • DBU COE AAQEP Cooperating Teacher/Mentor Administrator, 2023 • TEPSA, Region 10 Fall Meeting Panel Co-Host, 2023 • Holdsworth Cohort, 2 year program, graduated 2023 • Educators without Borders, Speaker, 2021 • GPISD Campus Teacher of the Year, 2007 TEPSA Leadership/Involvement/Awards • Current Member of TEPSA, Region 10, President Elect, 2023 • TEPSA, Standing Committee Nominating Committee Member, 2020-2022 • TEPSA, Special Committee Strategic Planning, 2020 • TEPSA, Standing Committee Membership, Marketing, and PR Vice Chair 2018-2019 • TEPSA, Standing Committee Membership, Marketing, and PR Chair, 2019-2022 • Region 10 TEPSAN of the Year, 2017 • TEPSA, Standing Committee Elections Chair, 2014-2017 • TEPSA, Standing Committee Advocacy Member 2013-2017 • TEPSA Member – 18 years School Honors/Accomplishments • Cotton Bowl Classic 3rd Place Winner, 2nd grade student, 2023 • GPISD Holiday Card Winner, 4th grade student, 2023 • Grand Prairie Pumpkin Run Winners, 1st Place, 2023 • PPG Grant Winner, $5,000 for Technology and Interactive Walls, Spring 2022 • Grand Prairie Pumpkin Run Winners, 2nd Place, 2022 • A staff member was awarded GPISD District Elementary Teacher of the Year 2022-2023 • Mackin Educational Resources: Colorful Communities $5,000 STEAM Materials • Heart of America: Colorful Communities Winner, Summer 2021-2022 • GPISD Spotlight Campus, 2021 Community Involvement • Toys for Tots (campus collection, supporting the Salvation Army and USMC) • Crosspoint Church (backpacks, school supplies, teacher support) • Acceptance Insurance (backpacks and school supplies) • IKEA (STEAM resources, PE materials) • Pittsburgh Plate Glass Company, PPG (paints in facilities, instruction in classrooms, career pathways) • St. Michael the Archangel Church (after school programs and faith education) • Mackin Educational Resources (STEM/STEAM materials and robotics resources) March/April 2024
Lori Gallegos continued Walking Group) at the Cornyval Parade and the Helotes Christmas Lights Parade between 2009-2019 Community Involvement • Northside ISD Council of PTA’s Principal of the Year Award, 2011 • School Community Relationships with local organizations including the Helotes Police and Fire Departments, the Helotes Cornyval Association, The Helotes Community Band, the South Texas Blood Bank • Campus Host of a daily COVID Food Distribution Site, 2020-2021 • Recycling Team Volunteer at the San Antonio Fiesta Battle of Flowers Parade, 2011-2019 • Volunteer at the Northside ISD/San Antonio Food Bank Distribution • Faith Formation Teacher, Zion Lutheran Church, San Antonio, TX • Zion Theatre Group Volunteer, San Antonio, TX Other Professional Networks • NAESP • Member of the TEPSA Advocacy Committee visiting legislators at the state capitol, 2023 • Texas Association of School Administrators (TASA) • Texas Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (TXASCD) and Alamo Area (AAASCD) • N2 Learning Texas Principals Institute – Cohort 7 • N2 Learning Executive Leaders Institute – Cohort 4 • National School Leaders Network Group Facilitator, 20092011 • Book Study Co-Facilitator, Trinity University, 2011-2019 • TEA Teacher Preparation Program Advisory Committee with the University of Texas at San Antonio, 2012-2013 Platform Statement TEPSA has been a part of my journey for 23 years, helping me become the leader I am today. As a principal and now at central office, I have relied on TEPSA for advocacy and networking. Although the ‘S’ in TEPSA represents supervisors, I also see the ‘S’ as support. Today’s principals are leading in a time like never before. We have come far in our post-Covid recovery, but know we will never go back to the type of leadership we once knew. We need a strong network that understands this new normal and can help leaders adapt to changing times. For this reason, I want to serve principals and TEPSA with a focus on support. Leadership involves all of us working together to advocate for the needs of our students and support the monumental work of principals. As a member of the executive board, I will help supervisors and other central office staff understand the real issues facing our leaders each day including safety, students’ mental health, lack of funding, and teacher shortages. As an advocate, I will share this message among districts and legislators to help them understand that our Texas Principals are truly superheroes. Despite challenges, they make the work look easy. No matter the struggle, they come to school each day with the grit and grace needed to lead schools, but they need help. It would be an honor to serve our Texas leaders because just like our students need strong principals, our principals need strong leaders advocating for their needs and supporting their work.
TEPSA News
Amanda Schmitter continued • Heart of America (design and creative event to transform spaces on the campus) • Lockheed Martin (college readiness and career pathways) • STREAM Global Innovations (STEAM education, projects for family/home, career pathways) Professional Networks • Region 10 STEM Professional NISE Cohort, current • National Association of Elementary School Principals, NAESP Member, current • Holdsworth Alumni, 2023 graduate Platform Statement I want to personally thank you for allowing me the opportunity to run for the Member At-Large position. I have been a member of TEPSA for over two decades and together, we have shined a light on the amazing things happening in public schools daily, and why the future is bright for all kids. Our students are achieving at high levels. They are makers, builders, and thinkers, who are prepared for a constantly changing world. It takes the partnership of families, staff, and strong leadership to ensure that nothing takes away from our kids being great! This greatness is fostered by the impact of principals, supervisors, and leaders everywhere. It is no secret that we have faced challenges in education and at every level of leadership. Principals and supervisors across the state struggle with finding certified staff, budget cuts, unfunded mandates, and concerns about safety, morale, employee retention, health benefits, and retirement. We try not to let this reach our classrooms, schools, buildings, and affect our kids. We work collaboratively, creatively, and try to network with other leaders to find more effective ways to provide the best. I believe in advocacy, having a strong voice, and making sure that all levels of leadership feel informed and supported. I want to serve in the Member At-Large position to continue the work already in place and support new initiatives as we tackle some of the tough challenges ahead. I want to be a part of keeping the future bright for our students, principals, supervisors, and leaders in the State of Texas with TEPSA.
ote by 5pm Central March 5 Ballots were emailed to voting members in late February. Check your inbox (and spam folder) for email with voting credentials. If you did not receive your voting credentials, email heather@tepsa.org.
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The "S" in TEPSA/Heather Stoner, EdD
Four to Soar Spring is in the air…baby birds are chirping and bright green grass is growing. As each sunny day gets longer, the moments left in the school year get shorter and shorter. Spring also provides the paradoxical challenge of maintaining a focus on the current work while also looking ahead and planning for next year. It’s a lot. On top of a lot. And it can leave principals and their staff feeling overwhelmed and depleted. The following is a hopefully handy list of habits to help campus principals and their supervisors soar through end-of-year challenges. While these practices are always helpful, during times of stress and fatigue they can be game changers for campus culture.
1. Remember your “why.”
While jumping into writing a campus vision statement in March may not be practical, providing time for each staff member to remember their “why” can help recenter, rejuvenate, and refocus your crew. I was recently part of a faculty-meeting length activity that combined Brené Brown’s List of Values (https:// bit.ly/4aOp6dI) activity with self-generated “I am” statements as a springboard for creating individual purpose statements. These were printed and framed for each staff member as a desktop visual of their “why” when times get tough. As Simon Sinek re14
minds us, “When we know WHY we do what we do, everything falls into place. When we don’t, we have to push things into place.”
2. Check in on your people.
Challenge yourself to connect with your staff members daily. Put yourself at a highly trafficked hallway intersection before school gets started to greet both staff and students. Peek your head into classrooms during conference times. Show up to help with duty. Then, take the extra step of asking the question, “How’s it going?” when you see your people. You’d be amazed what you can uncover, head off, and proactively change when you seek out regular, informal feedback. Don’t give up if you don’t make it around to many people in one day. Pick it back up the next chance you get.
3. Systemically celebrate.
The research is clear—we all need to hear at least 3 positives for every 1 negative to feel included, valued, and cared for in any relationship. Unfortunately, most brains are not wired to see the good in things. It must be done with intention. Start a staff brag board. Add a “good things” or “shout out time” to every meeting and find reasons to laugh together through March/April 2024
quick and quality team builders. Systemic intentionality is the only way to ensure fidelity with anything, and that includes positive reinforcement.
4. Grow yourself and your people.
Lyle Wells at Integrus Leadership talks about the five people you need in your life to grow: Truth tellers (tell you what you don’t want, but need, to hear), Teachers (people you can learn from), Trustees (process ideas with you), Tank fillers (your biggest cheerleaders) and Timothy (those you invest in). Who are these people in your life? Specifically, who are your “timothies”—those who you are growing to be future school leaders? Take time, especially in the spring, to grow and empower your high leverage teachers. You can’t do this work without the help of others. And you shouldn’t. People are more invested in work they have been a part of creating.
TEPSA News
The spring brings with it busy days, long to-do lists, and a variety of leadership challenges. It’s easy to lose sight of the importance of nurturing people and celebrating positivity in the sea of tasks competing for your time and energy. But remember, it’s the adults in the building who make the difference for your students, and it begins with the biggest influencer of all—you!
Dr. Heather Stoner is the Executive Director of Student and Campus Services in Georgetown ISD.
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Lead from the Heart/Todd Nesloney and Ross Braun
Five Ways to Celebrate Teachers Teachers are the backbone of every school. They work tirelessly to ensure their students are learning and growing. In addition to their teaching duties, teachers often must take on a variety of other tasks, such as grading papers, preparing lessons, and attending meetings (just to name a few). We all understand it’s important for administrators to celebrate teachers and show their appreciation for all they do. Here are five of our favorite ways to recognize others:
1. Publicly acknowledge teachers’ accomplishments.
Celebrate teachers by publicly acknowledging their accomplishments. This can be done in a variety of ways, such as writing a letter of praise, giving a shout-out at a staff meeting, or posting a thank-you note on the school website. I liked giving “Teacher Shout-Outs” on social media. I’d share a fun fact and a few of their favorites in the post. Not only did this publicly praise teachers, but it also showed our community the human side of these superheroes. Publicly acknowledging teachers’ accomplishments helps to boost their morale and reminds them their work is valued.
2. Provide opportunities for professional development.
Celebrate teachers by providing them with opportunities for professional development. This can help 16
teachers improve their skills and stay current on the latest teaching trends. Professional development opportunities include attending conferences, taking online courses, or working with mentors. You should always look for ways to model effective strategies your staff can use in their classroom. Our school was working hard on Universal Design for Learning and providing student choice, so I asked the staff to choose a PD book that fit their specific need without engaging in a formal book study. I found the buy-in for this was way more than any forced book study we ever had! Even though this idea costs money, we’ve found there are often many opportunities for grants.
3. Create a positive work environment.
Create a positive work environment by supporting teachers and making them feel valued. This can be done by providing teachers with the resources they need to be successful, such as adequate classroom space, supplies, and technology. We understand that sometimes your budgets just don’t allow that investment right now. That’s okay! You can also create a positive work environment by being open to feedback, listening to teachers’ concerns, and resolving conflicts quickly and fairly. This costs you nothing! March/April 2024
4. Celebrate birthdays and special occasions.
Celebrate teachers’ birthdays and other special occasions by sending a card, bringing in a cake, or simply saying a few words of appreciation. This shows teachers you care about them and appreciate their work. Getting out of your office and spending time connecting with your team allows you an extra opportunity to hear about the monumental moments happening in their lives outside of work! Each year I’d ask the staff to fill out a “Favorites List” at the beginning of the year. Then each Sunday, I’d grab the favorite candy bars for that week’s birthdays, write each staff member a personal birthday note and have it waiting on their desk when they arrived on their special day.
5. Give teachers time off.
Celebrate teachers by giving them time off. This can be done in a variety of ways, such as providing teachers with a paid day off, allowing them to take a personal day, or something as simple as giving them a longer lunch break. Whenever we had a “new initiative” or big grade level task at hand, I would coordinate a schedule with our Student Focus Team (AP, counselor, and SRO) and together we would cover the four classes in each grade for an additional hour or two past that grade level’s prep time. This additional time inside the school day was very appreciated by our teachers and it gave our Student Focus Team
more time with students! Giving teachers time off helps them to recharge and return to work refreshed and ready to teach. The “work” of showing appreciation is never finished. We all struggle with doubt and feeling like we’re not doing enough. By starting with these five tips, you can begin to show your appreciation for teachers and create a positive work environment that is conducive to learning, retains more staff, and overall is a place people want to come to every day.
Todd Nesloney is TEPSA’s Director of Culture and Strategic Leadership. He is an award-winning educator, author and international speaker.
Ross Braun is a former elementary principal who is passionate about supporting schools and leaders to ensure every child has a safe, loving and engaging learning environment. Ross is now the VP of Positive Education at Spring, Texas-based, School Life.
Fostering Positive Relationships with Colleagues continued from page 7 3. Be a True Leader
One of my former supervisors would tell all the principals, “If no one is following you, you are not a leader.” You can be a true leader by leading by example. Be honest with your administration team and colleagues even when you have made a mistake. We all make mistakes. As long as we do not continually make the same mistakes and turn them into habits, we can own those by admitting and moving on. A true leader will show others, by example, how to be humble when things are going wonderfully and how to take ownership when things may not be going quite as well as we hope. Your leadership team and those around you will have great respect for you.
4. Show Appreciation
Showing authentic appreciation towards your leadership team and those you lead goes a long way. Let’s face TEPSA News
it; this profession is extremely hard. Rarely do we hear from parents or others when they are happy. Take some time to send positive email notes to members on your leadership team and colleagues. As we all know, this profession is very challenging; people love when they are sent a positive note. Positive messages give your folks a sense of value to the organization and to you.
Dr. Gary Henry is the Executive Director for Elementary Administration in Spring Branch ISD. His career in education spans 31 years including 15 years as an elementary principal. A longtime TEPSAN, Dr. Henry has served as a region officer and standing committee member. 17
News and Resources NAESP Outlines Key Education Issues
Skilled Leaders Address, Not Avoid Conflict
As the U.S. prepares for the 2024 presidential election, education issues from budget shortages to vouchers to AI will continue to be hotly contested. NAESP has outlined the following eight key education policy issues to watch for this year:
According to a recent edutopia article by Robert Feirsen and Seth Weitzman (2023), between 20 and 40 percent of a leader's day is dedicated to managing conflict. Effective leaders understand that conflict is not only unavoidable, it can provide unique opportunities for growth and transformation. Addressing conflict, not avoiding it, requires courage and skill but ultimately leads to better outcomes. Leaders who avoid conflict or respond to it with aggression will only exacerbate the negative emotions that keep people from working together to find solutions and moving forward.
• Expiring American Rescue Plan Funding • Principal Shortages • Chronic Absenteeism • Social Media Safety • Artificial Intelligence • Private School Vouchers • Education on the Campaign Trail • Assessment – Measurements of Success Learn more at https://bit.ly/4b2f49e.
Read the full article at https://bit.ly/42j6dMt to learn more about the three most common conflict leadership styles.
Source: Graves, K. (2024, January 9). NAESP Outlines Priorities in Pivotal Year in Education Policy. NAESP. https:// www.naesp.org/blog/naesp-outlines-priorities-in-pivotalyear-in-education-policy/
Source: Feirsen, R., & Weitzman, S. (2023, December 21). What Conflict Leadership Style Do You Use? edutopia. https://www.edutopia.org/article/conflict-leadership-styleseducation
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COMMUNITY IRL Join us at a TEPSA Region Meeting in your area to access: A dynamic network of leaders
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Education updates and resources
Fresh ideas and inspiration
March/April 2024
Horace Mann offers solutions for TEPSA members Getting school employees on the path to financial success helps districts increase teacher retention, improve productivity and morale, and lower benefit costs. We help educators identify savings in their current monthly budget to redirect to their retirement, so they have more confidence in their financial
To learn more about our solutions for financial success or to schedule a workshop, contact Lori Gray or visit horacemann.com/workshops.
strategy and are more likely to retire on time.
We partner with you for: • Student Loan Solutions • State Teachers’ Retirement System workshops • DonorsChoose workshops and funding • Financial Success workshops
Lori.Gray@horacemann.com 512-557-7375 AM-C04158TEPSA (8-22)
AUTO | HOME | LIFE | RETIREMENT
501 East 10 St Austin, TX 78701 800-252-3621 www.tepsa.org th
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r Vote in the TEPSA State Office (CST). Election by March 5 at 5pm See pages 10-13.
TEPSA Highlights Learn more at tepsa.org.
Calendar/Deadlines • Join us at the premier event for Texas PK-8 school leaders: TEPSA Summer Conference, June 12-14 at the Round Rock Kalahari. Early conference rate ends March 15. Note: You must register for the conference prior to reserving your hotel room. • Connect locally to leaders, ideas and inspiration at a TEPSA region meeting in your area. Visit https://bit.ly/regionmeetings. • Ignite a culture of excellence and drive impactful action with the Leadership Edge series. Earn CPE credits at your own pace with short PD modules available ondemand until April 30. • Check your email each Tuesday for TEPSA Express, our weekly email filled with education news and resources. View the latest issue in the Learning & Resources section at tepsa.org.
English-learner Family Toolkit for Educators and Families The U.S. Department of Education's updated English-learner family toolkit provides educators and families resources to help support and deepen parent engagement. From helping families understand how public education works in the U.S. to how to enroll their children in school to suggested questions to ask school staff and more, the toolkit covers important topics for parents and educators. The free toolkit, available in English, Spanish, Chinese, and Arabic, is also accessible as a mobile app. Visit https://bit.ly/3GFxhve. Sources: Ileana Najarro, I. (2023, December 8). Ed. Dept. Releases New Toolkit to Engage English Learners’ Families. Education Week. https://www.edweek.org/ teaching-learning/ed-dept-releases-new-toolkit-to-engage-english-learners-families/2023/12 Office of English Acquisition. (2023, September). English Learner Family Toolkit. U.S. Department of Education. https://ncela.ed.gov/educator-support/ toolkits/family-toolkit.