Cheering in the Sullivan Performing Arts Center erupts as the district gathers to begin the new school year. On Aug. 1, 2024, TISD held its annual Convocation, which jumpstarts the new school year for faculty and staff.
The event demonstrated the prominent student leadership in the district, further tying into many of the key points that American business executive, author and keynote speaker Sean Covey, president of FranklinCovey Education, introduced.
“Leader in Me works so well, and it’s in about 7,000 schools across the world now. It’s a powerful way of changing culture,” Covey said. “Some of the things that change are the students’ lead, so a lot of the schools turned over to kids. They run things.”
Achieving Lighthouse status within the Leader In Me framework at the campus level signifies effective leadership curriculum implementation. TISD challenged all its campuses to become Lighthouse schools, a feat no other district has accomplished.
“It is to my knowledge that Mr. Covey requested to visit our district after hearing all the amazing things that we have going on here,” Dr. Jacquelyn Smith, Texas High School assistant principal said. “We are striving to become a Lighthouse district, and we have a campus about to reach legacy status. I believe that’s the driving force behind his wanting to come visit.”
Student groups from across the district led teachers through celebrations and explained their roles in the Leader In Me journey at their respective campuses.
“In my opinion the highlight of Convocation was all the student involvement, from the babies at Dunbar all the way up to our high schoolers,” Susan Waldrep Leadership and student council adviser said. “Every campus in our district was represented, and that’s just fabulous.”
The convocation assembly not only invigorated new and returning staff members but also further encouraged the Leader in Me principles within educators’ curriculums district-wide.
“I think that the philosophies of the Leader in Me are right on target with our lives today,” Waldrep said. “It’s just so highly successful in all the elementary schools.”
By putting together an event for all district staff members at the convocation, TISD showcased the importance of student leadership within Texarkana schools.
“I think it brings together our whole district. It gives us all an opportunity to unite as one and share a vision for our district,” Smith said. “More than anything, it brings everyone together since it’s the one time all year we’re able to do so.”
TISD’s investment into the Leader In Me program through FranklinCovey Education helps educators, parents and students become more effective in instruction and accountable to one another.
“I would like to see more accountability; every kid deserves a great education and there are so many good schools. I think you always hear about all the bad things that schools have to suppress,” Covey said. “I had to come here though, this district is amazing to me. There are great pockets of excellence all over the country and we’ve got to celebrate it more.”
