General Sessions

Opening Session
Saturday, June 26 • 7:45-9 a.m.
Do you know how to R.A.P.? Respect All People. Return All Phone Calls
Effective leaders capture the soul of the organization by being keenly aware how others are personally affected by decisions made at the top level.
Presenter: Jenny Preston, Educational Consultant, Horn, Smith, Wood & Preston Educational Consultants

Awards Luncheon
Saturday, June 26 • Noon-2 p.m.
The Heroine Within: Our Own Stories
One of the main functions of myth … is to carry a person through the inevitable stages of a lifetime.” — Joseph Campbell
Applying the Heroic Myth to your life’s journey is the topic for the presentation. The heroic myths of literature revolve around identifiable stages including: 1) The Call—Refusal or Acceptance; 2) First Steps; 3) Meeting Allies and Ogres; 4) Trials; 5) Arrival; 6) The Journey Continues: Next Steps. Dr. Crawford will share some personal examples and ask participants to reflect on their own Story and evaluate where they find themselves along the continuum. We’ll talk about what to pack for the journey and celebrate the Heroine in each of us and then cheer each other onward.
Presenter: Carolyn H. Crawford, Department Chair, Educational Leadership, Lamar University

Breakfast/All-Member Business Meeting/Closing Session
Sunday, June 27 • 8:30-10:15 a.m.
They'll Fight for the King, but They'll Die for the Queen
Although warring societies led to the custom of male leadership, the facts from almost every variable on leadership conclude that women are the true natural leaders. The presentation / discussion will provide insights from eastern and western philosophies, sociology, and individual reflections on each participant’s experience. The challenge of knowing and being oneself is often difficult but sorely needed in our schools and world.
Presenter: Gary Martin, Professor, Department of Educational Leadership, Lamar University, and Executive Director, National Council for Professors of Educational Administration

Focus Sessions
All Focus Sessions take place Saturday, June 26.

9:15-10:30 a.m.

What Can We Learn from Lilly Ledbetter
Equal pay and gender equity go hand in hand. Come hear a seasoned employment lawyer discuss the ongoing battle for women to raise their pay to the level of their male counterparts. Learn about new legislation that should prevent the Ledbetter case from being repeated. Prevention of harassment and Title IX also touched upon. Q&A session following presentation; handouts provided.
Presenters: Susan G. Morrison, Attorney, The Fowler Law Firm, P.C.; and Sharon Skrobarcek, Retired Assistant Superintendent

Authentic Happiness in Leadership
How can authentic happiness help you enhance your greatness in leadership? This session focuses on developing self-awareness through positive thoughts and emotions, inspiring stories of others, and easy self-sustaining techniques to feel more satisfied, more engaged in life, and even laugh and smile more often. The presenters identify and illustrate useful techniques through examples from Marci Shimoff's book Happy for No Reason. The examples provide suggestions for how leaders can improve their contentment with more productive self-care while leading others.
Presenters: Katherine Stover, Director, Curriculum, and Kristina Weeks, Instructional Specialist, Wylie ISD (ESC 10); and Letha Wuerch, Principal, Hawkins ISD

Smart Moves, Smart Classrooms
Inspired by research, proving learning and exercise are linked, session explores classroom design that is agile and promotes student success. This session discusses the importance of body/mind integration, social connections, and how a built environment can be designed to allow students to move, interact, and succeed. Attendees learn about the young brain and its connection with the body, and gain ideas on attributes of the built environment that, when correctly designed/implemented, can improve student success.
Presenters: Denise Daniels, Senior Principal, Katy ISD; and Christine Cooper and Hannah DeFord, Project Executives, and Kerri Ranney, Associate, PBK Architects, Inc.

Résumé Review*
We all know the importance of a good résumé in today’s competitive job market. TCWSE's very own expert résumé writer—— Janet Hood-Hanchey—— will help you gain a fresh understanding of how to put your best foot forward and make your résumé rise above the crowd. This is a must-do session for administrators and aspiring administrators heading up the career ladder. After this overview, individual résumé sessions will be scheduled throughout the day. Sign up for an individual résumé session at the Registration Desk.
Presenter: Janet Hood-Hanchey, Human Resources Administrator, Lewisville ISD*The Résumé Review session is offered during each of the three Focus Session periods.

10:45 a.m.-Noon

Design and Curriculum: A Different Approach to Using Technology
A panel of women experts, including an associate superintendent of curriculum, an executive director of elementary education, a LEED-accredited professional, and a curriculum specialist discuss how a high-performance elementary school integrated building design, technology, and sustainability to create a project-based learning curriculum that utilizes the building systems to teach. Learn how creativity and collaboration among teachers, administrators, and the school's designers effected change in the district's teaching methods and learning opportunities.
Presenters: Dalane E. Bouillion, Associate Superintendent, Curriculum & Instructional Services, and Marilyn Denison, Executive Director, Elementary Education, Spring ISD; Jody L. Henry and Laura Flannery Sachtleben, Project Managers, SHW Group; and Shannon K. Buerk, Senior Curriculum Specialist, Cambridge Strategic Services

Leading by Example: Empowering 21st Century Teaching and Learning
Creating 21st century schools involves more than placing computers on every desk. This session shares how to take a leadership role in using technology to transform teaching and learning. Learn how to prepare teachers for a change in pedagogical approaches using technology. Discover how the seamless integration of technology and a collaborative approach to learning can empower improved performance at every level, from the central office to the classroom.
Presenters: Priscilla White, CSCOPE Coordinator, ESC Region 11; and Becky Bordelon, Instructional and Learning Director, Time To Know

Just Listen: Discover the Secret to Getting through to Absolutely Anyone
Do you ever have to deal with hard-to-reach people? Do you feel like you are communicating but nobody is really hearing? Do you consider yourself to be a good listener but come away feeling that nothing was accomplished? This session helps increase confidence and decrease frustration by preparing you to be a fully engaged and present listener and communicator. Techniques and strategies are provided from Mark Goulston's book Just Listen: Discover the Secret to Getting through to Absolutely Anyone. You will come away from this session prepared to get your message across to even the most difficult people.
Presenters: Lylia King, Executive Director, Curriculum & Instruction, and Lisa Spence, Curriculum Coordinator, Cleburne ISD

Then Sings My Soul … And They Who Sing for Me!
Finding your greatness is just a song away! It's just a mentor away! It's knowing who you are, the potential you possess inside and accepting that you are indeed not good, but GREAT Leaders! You will leave singing your greatness!
Presenters: Sharon D. Ross, Superintendent, Jefferson ISD; and Valerie L. Walker, Assistant Principal, Del Valle ISD; and Tremayna T. Brown, Teacher/Administrative Intern, Dallas ISD

2:15-3:30 p.m.

Interview Tips and Words of Wisdom

(1) The Interview Process—Advice on Being Interviewed or Interviewing Others. This informative session offers tips, suggestions, and what to avoid when seeking advancement opportunities. The practical information is beneficial to aspiring administrators as well as campus leaders who have opportunities to interview others.

OR

(2) Aspiring Superintendents—Are You Prepared and Ready for the Next Challenge? Words of wisdom, guidance and suggestions from a founding member of one of the state’s leading superintendent search firms. Learn from the presenter’s experiences in education and his own years serving as a school district superintendent.

3:45-5 p.m.

Building Your Bridge from Campus to Central Office
What should you be concerned about when your professional path changes from campus administration to central office? This lively session presented by two experienced school attorneys, one a former CBS news reporter in Houston and the other with almost 30 years of experience defending and suing on behalf of Texas schools and colleges, provides valuable and practical insights into the business and legal pitfalls that new central office administrators face on Day 1. Whether you are aspiring to move to central office from campus administration, just beginning central office duties, a district leader looking for efficient and practical ways to mentor new administrators, or professors of future administrators, this presentation is a useful guide. The session is designed to help you and your staff or students avoid the worst, most embarrassing, expensive, and highly publicized mistakes talented Texas central office administrators make, from following open meeting requirements and employment matters to handling media in good and bad times. Each section discusses innovative ways to use technology to take your work to the next level. What you learn will delight and enliven you!
Presenters: Laura S. Fowler, Attorney and Counselor at Law, and Natalie N. Niles Arguello, Attorney, Mediator, and Counselor at Law, The Fowler Law Firm, P.C.

TSDC and Technology: Adapting to the Times
Acknowledging our belief that we must provide follow-up to all professional learning, the Texas Staff Development Council has explored methods to do this using technology and distance learning. Join us to experience how to plan the initial F2F session and follow up with webinars, blogs, and periodic email reminders.
Presenter: Jody M. Westbrook, Executive Director, Lee Rutledge, Past President, Terry Morganti-Fisher, President, and Deanne McCartney, Administrative Assistant, Texas Staff Development Council

A Renewed Passion
What excites you? What makes you look forward to each day? In this session, learn how to renew and refresh your passions. At times we can lose sight of our true selves and the reasons we do what we do everyday. Attend and discover a pathway to revive your personal passions.
Presenters: Sharon M. Boutwell, Assistant Superintendent, Leadership and Organizational Development, and Denise Daniels, Senior Principal, Katy ISD

Using Your Strengths to Enrich Your Life and Your District
This session uses concepts from the book Soar with Your Strengths. The fact is that all human beings need stimulation. Everyone is naturally inclined to learn. Great leaders, like teachers, use their followers’ needs, interests, and curiosities to captivate them. You are born with talents, but strengths are earned. Come explore how to apply this to yourselves and your district.
Presenter: Gloria J. Crum, Consultant, SONRISA Enterprises, LLC

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