February 15 , 2008
From Our Officers
Priscilla White, President-Elect & Summer Conference Coordinator
As we begin preparations for the summer conference, let me remind you of our theme—Connecting our Leadership Community. We are asking for applications to be submitted based on this theme, and some of you may be asking yourself—what workshop could I do? Or, I can’t do a workshop!!!! I ask that you take some time to reflect upon this question: Who has helped me in the past that led to where I am now, and how can I help others?When I think back over the years, I am reminded of my grandmother who raised me as an infant until the early elementary school years. What a strong woman she was to take in three small children!!! What a blessing she was to me and my sister—my brother died while we lived with her. She demonstrated such a faith and personal strength during those years. As I progressed through the years of raising children, working, and going to school, I encountered women who introduced me to the practice to looking at your future as limitless instead of only going just so far.
I could go on and on about how I have benefited from women in my past and TCWSE’s “connected leadership community.” But, I ask you to reflect, think about how you have relied on other women to aid you, and say, "I can help someone!" We all have a gift, experience, or knowledge that we need to share.
Have a wonderful spring semester, and I look forward to seeing you this summer.
Diane Stegall, Vice-President
Where do you go when you:
- need a friend to talk to?
- need an answer to a question?
- need someone to encourage you?
- need a professional opinion?
- need a role model to follow?
- need a conference that will lift you up?
- need a network of support?
- need the latest in research?
The place that has ALL THAT YOU NEED is TCWSE! We want you to invite your friends to join us as an active member of TCWSE so that all of their needs can be met too. Check us out at tcwse.org. We are the best kept secret for women executives and that secret needs to be shared.
Jean Bahney, Historian
I want to express my appreciation to the TCWSE organization for the opportunity to serve as Historian this year. I started documenting the organization’s activities at the Board Meeting in January. I would appreciate pictures and information that you members may have from last year’s summer conference (Jean Bahney). We want to remind ourselves of all the support we give and good that we do for each other regularly. Sometimes when we need that friend the most, it is most difficult to ask for her/him to be there, so call/email those with whom you have connections often. A smile never hurts.
TCWSE Executive Board News
Some changes have occurred recently on the TCWSE Executive Board. Janis Edwards resigned as Secretary due to personal health reasons. Lu Stephens moved up to the Secretary position, and Jean Bahney, has been named Historian. The shifting of officers resulted in a couple of unfilled positions among Regional Representatives. Named as Region 13 Representative is Kathy Bishop, Secondary Language Arts Supervisor at Austin ISD. Complete contact information for Officers, Review Committee of Past Presidents, and members of the Regional Advisory Committee can be found on the TCWSE Web site.
2008 Summer Conference—Mark Your Calendar!
Connecting Our Leadership Community
June 20–22, 2008 • Renaissance Austin Hotel
Planning for TCWSE's 2008 Summer Conference is in full swing and it promises to be another perfect opportunity to join with other TCWSE members from across the state to learn and network. We're lining up some great sessions and keynote speakers, along with lots of time to socialize and learn from one another. Registration information will be posted to tcwse.org soon! Keep the dates open and remember to invite friends and colleagues . . . this event is best when it's SHARED!PLEASE NOTE: Housing Opens March 3, 8 a.m. (cst)
A link and hotel rates will be available on the TCWSE home page!Call for Session Applications Now Open!
This is a great opportunity for you to connect with others by making a presentation at the Summer Conference. The theme of our conference, Connecting Our Leadership Community, lends itself to sessions that address ways we can build on our individual leadership capacities, share lessons learned from influential women in our lives, and strengthen and enhance TCWSE leadership networks within our regions and across Texas.In creating your proposal, please keep in mind that our underlying conference objective always mirrors the mission of TCWSE: to create and maintain a united community of professional educational executives by promoting equity and quality in leadership through renewal, mentoring, and career advancement support.
We welcome your ideas and hope that you plan to be in attendance this summer! Please forward this call for proposals to your colleagues. We look forward to many wonderful applications!
Online Focus Session Application
Application Deadline: Wednesday, March 5, 2008
2008 Awards Program
TCWSE loves to recognize individuals whose passion and dedication make a real difference in public education! If you know people who deserve such recognition, here's your opportunity to acknowledge them. Submit your nominations for TCWSE's 2008 Margret Montgomery Leadership Award, Friend Award, and/or Bravo Awards. It's not too early to start thinking about award recipients! The deadline for 2008 awards program is Friday, May 9! [Criteria, past recipients, and links to online nomination forms]
Regional Happenings
Region 4
[reported by Denise Daniels, Assistant Principal, Katy ISD]
The Region IV Chapter is buzzing with activity this spring! Our spring conference and business meeting will take place April 12, 2008, from 8:30a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Spring Branch ISD at the Westchester Academy for International Studies here in Houston will host the conference.
Our agenda includes a keynote from Dr. Duncan Klussmann, Superintendent of Schools, Spring Branch ISD, and guest speaker Mr. Alton Frailey, Superintendent of Schools, Katy ISD. We follow these outstanding speakers with a catered lunch from Carrabba’s Italian Grill and a fashion show by Coldwater Creek, and finally we end with our annual business meeting and door prizes.
We have a day filled with powerful information and fun fellowship. We look forward to any and all regions to join us on this outstanding day. If you need further information please do not hesitate to contact me or Tina Seamantinaseaman@katyisd.org.Northeast Texas
[reported by Diane Stegall, TCWSE Vice-President]
The TCWSE Northeast Chapter will hold our next meeting at Lou’s Country Inn in Winnsboro on Friday, February 22. The guest speaker is Yvonne Katz addressing “Rev Up Your Resume.”Region 12
[reported by Louise Powell, Region 12 Representative]
Region 12 is planning a spring meeting and social soon. Date has not been set, but watch the TCWSE web site for an announcement soon.Region 17
[reported by Fredda Schooler, Region 17 Representative]
Region 17 met with 13 in attendance on Wednesday, February 6, at Lakeside Country Club in Lubbock for lunch and a roundtable discussion of Midwinter Conference speakers, topics, meals, and shopping. A copy of the previous TCWSE Summer Conference program was distributed along with membership information. We had our usual good time!
Note to Regional Reps: If you have news, meeting announcements, or anything else you'd like posted to tcwse.org or shared through TCWSE e-Notes, please e-mail your information to Ann Halstead in the TCWSE office.
Gov. Perry Calls for Texas Women’s Hall of Fame Nominations
Gov. Rick Perry has called for nominations of outstanding women for the Texas Women’s Hall of Fame. Coordinated by the Governor's Commission for Women, the Hall of Fame includes notable Texans such as First Lady Barbara Bush, astronaut Sally Ride and tennis great Zena Garrison. "The Texas Women's Hall of Fame allows Texans to honor women whose accomplishments continue to make our state great," said Gov. Perry. "By celebrating these outstanding women we inspire young Texans to work hard to become great leaders."This year’s categories for the Texas Women’s Hall of Fame are leadership, historic preservation, health, physical fitness, education, and performing arts. An independent panel of judges will review the nominations and the Governor will induct the women the panel recommends into the 2008 Hall of Fame at an awards ceremony this fall. Nominees must be native or current Texas residents, and their noted achievement must have significant ties to Texas. Also, these women must have been involved in the noted achievement during the past 12 months. Nomination forms must be postmarked by March 3, 2008.
In Memorium
Shirley Coleman wrote to say that Jimmie D. Stovall, who served as superintendent in San Vicente and Terlingua back in the 1980s and early 90s has passed away. At the time, she was one of the few women superintendents in the state
Share Your News!
Remember, TCWSE is all about building a strong support system for women administrators. Sharing your successes and triumphs is more than just tooting your own horn — you're also providing other members with ideas they may want to implement in their own district or goals to strive for. If you've got good news to share, let us know! We'll post it in the next issue of TCWSE e-Notes and online!
Contact Info for
Your Regional RepresentativesQuestions about this issue of TCWSE e-Notes?
Please contact Ann Halstead, TCWSE Executive Secretary/Treasurer, 512.477.6361.Our Mission
The mission of the Texas Council of Woman School Executives is to create and maintain a united community of professional educational executives by promoting equity and quality in leadership through renewal, mentoring, and career advancement support.