Shelley Yates: A Better Me

It has now been 4 weeks since my return from attending Improving Schools: The Art of Leadership. I continue to reflect on my experience on a daily basis and know that I have come back to Texas wanting to be better and expecting the very best out of myself, staff, and students. I learned so much and I am still processing all of the wonderful information that our presenters delivered to us. They gave us so much to give back to our staff and students.

One thing I did learn is that I must change from being an informative leader into being a transformative leader. With that, my teachers will change from informative teaching into transformative teaching. It's all about transforming our kids. But, it must begin with the adults in the building. Transformation. That is the "Art of Leadership".

I want to thank Raise Your Hand Texas for such a powerful learning opportunity. RYHT exhibited so much faith in Texas education leaders to invest so much into us to provide this learning adventure. The friendships that were made with other educators from around the United States and other countries are priceless and we learned so much from each other also. The accomodations were exemplary and we were taken care of above and beyond.

For me, this will be something that I will always look back on and reflect on how it helped me grow personally, professionally, and intellectually. It was a life changing experience and I will forever be deeply grateful. Thank You Raise Your Hand Texas!

Shelley Yates

Vernal Elliot: Exciting and Life Altering

The Harvard Urban School Leaders Institute was phenomenal! There were so many educational leaders who shared their research based best practices. Each day was full of new learning,confirmation of current practices and ideas for implementation of best practices. All of the presenters in some way focused on teaching and learning. The overall theme that was woven throughout the Institute included relationship building with all stakeholders, providing academic rigor for all learner and ensuring relevance to or standards.

It is hard for me to pick one session that was a favorite because each one delivered such thought provoking information. The critical issues discussed such as, race, diversity, student failure rate, organization, time management, dealing with conflict were discussed openly and honestly. No stone seemed to be unturned…confronting current realities of the state teaching all children to mastery. The exchanges from educational practitioners were stimulating and challenging. The reality seems to be that we are deal with varying degrees of common problems in schools across the United States.

The Harvard Urban School Institute was one of the most exciting and life altering educational experiences for me. My life has been enriched and I have been challenged to make an impact on quality teaching and learning, so that teachers receive the training necessary to improve their craft. Then students will be the recipients of deliberate and consistent best research base practices focused on standards that result in higher levels of academic achievement for all students. I am thankful for this opportunity.

More Pictures from Vernal Eliot

Vernal Elliot

James Oliver: The Harvard Experience

It’s hard to believe that it’s already been two weeks since “The Harvard Experience”. Over the past 13 years in education I have had some great staff development, but nothing compares to the 10 days I spent at Harvard. I am so thankful that a vocal group of inspired Texans (RYHT) has chosen to actively support educators in this State. In a time of uncertainty, you have let teachers, administrators, and all others associated with our schools know that you care about educating children in Texas. For me, the Harvard leadership training could not have come at a better time.

Sometimes we all need to slow down and reassess what we’re doing. The creativity that often eludes us in the hustle and bustle of modern-day life was allowed to take hold in a classroom many miles from home. I came back with new ideas and plans that are already taking shape. Our high school master schedule has a totally different feel. Using a new set of priorities and perspectives, our 08-09 schedule will allow more time to meet individual student and teacher needs. I have already started swapping other ideas with my teachers. It’s amazing how excitement is contagious. I see a great year ahead of us!

On a side note, thanks to everyone in Group 6 and 7 for your continued communication and support. I never thought I would be getting so many words of encouragement from Texas principals, not to mention those serving in other states and countries. Just yesterday I got an e-mail from a fellow educator in New Zealand. Thanks again RYHT for allowing me to network on a whole new level.

James Oliver