The 49th annual session of the Texas Association of School Administrators and Texas Association of School Boards, the TASA/TASB convention was held during the weekend in Houston, Texas at the George Brown Convention Center.
I traveled by car on Thursday to attend this annual state event and returned on Sunday evening. My scheduled attendance at this event was known weeks in advance.
The state school board convention provides many opportunities to participate in a broad range of training sessions and to network among 6,000 school trustees, administrators, decision makers, supporters and parents.
In addition to breakout sessions and informative lectures, including one from TEA Commissioner Robert Scott, we were privileged to hear three general session presenters:
- Alan November, educator and modern web technologies educational consultant
- Alfredo Quinones-Hinojosa, M.D. (Dr. Q), brain surgeon and assistant professor of neurosurgery and oncology
- Debbie Allen, choreographer/actress and U.S. Ambassador of Culture
Selected highlights from their presentations are worth noting.
Alan November believes students must develop three essential skills: 1) the ability to access the right information at the right time; 2) the ability to work with people all around the world; and 3) the ability to be self-directed.
Dr. Q talked about lessons of determination, resilience, faith, passion, dedication, adoration and mentoring which he learned from patients and uses to help students achieve success.
Debbie Allen told of her rich education and immense respect for teachers and public education while urging school districts to prepare students to perform on the global stage. She believes it is imperative that teachers ignite curiosity in students. If curiosity is ignited, students will seek and discover for themselves. They will become engaged in education; they will learn more.
Numerous specific workshops were attended and worthwhile training was received for Trustee course credit.
For public education, I am glad to have the opportunity to attend the Texas Association of School Boards annual conference and the many sessions on important educational topics.
I hope to attend this annual gathering of Texas school board Trustees until my school board service ends.
