– Cohort includes 30 school leaders from across Texas –
AUSTIN, TX (July 16, 2024) – The Charles Butt Foundation, a non-profit pursuing a more equitable and prosperous future for all Texans through education and community partnerships, has selected Sandra Gonzales of Batesville School, Hector Lopez of Crossroads Academy High School, and Patricia Merlos of Morales Junior High School as one of 30 principals from traditional and charter school districts across Texas to attend a weeklong summer institute at the Principals’ Center at the Harvard Graduate School of Education.
With this new cohort, the Charles Butt Foundation will have supported more than 1,600 educators to attend training at Harvard through the Raising School Leaders program, an initiative designed to develop stronger school leaders who will enhance the quality of education across Texas. The Charles Butt Foundation covers expenses for the attendees including tuition, travel, hotel, and other discretionary costs for a total investment of more than $10 million since the program’s inception.
The Raising School Leaders program is designed to inspire, challenge, and empower school leaders to bring lasting impact to their campuses and communities, the entire state of Texas, and beyond. Attendees will participate in a weeklong leadership development institute led by Harvard faculty and other national and international experts. Following the Harvard institute, attendees remain a part of the program’s statewide network of school leaders, work together to create change at the campus and district levels, and receive continuous support and professional development.
The Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District extends heartfelt gratitude to the Charles Butt Foundation for its unwavering support in empowering our educators through the Raising School Leaders program at Harvard. We are proud to have three devoted principals—Sandra Gonzalez of Batesville School, Hector Lopez of Crossroads Academy High School, and Patricia Merlos of Morales Junior High School—who are dedicated to professional growth and strategic campus leadership. Their commitment promises significant, positive impacts for both students and staff within our rural community.
“Great teachers, along with strong school and district leaders, represent the most significant influencers of academic achievement and supportive culture,” said Tim Miller, Director of Leadership Development at the Charles Butt Foundation. “Our alumni report that their Harvard experience is the best professional development they have ever experienced and that they return to their campuses energized, inspired, and empowered to make meaningful change that benefits all students.”
For this year’s Raising School Leaders cohort, preference was given to school leaders from districts that are considered rural or had a student enrollment of less than 5,500. “As demographics shift in Texas, we recognize that the needs of schools in rural and smaller districts are unique. Creating a space for school leaders in rural and smaller districts to find commonalities, problem solve, and build a network of support is an important component of this year’s Raising School Leaders program,” added Miller.
A list of all cohort members from across Texas can be found at https://charlesbuttfdn.org/leadership/30-school-leaders-selected-for-harvard-institutes-2024.
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ABOUT THE CHARLES BUTT FOUNDATION
The Charles Butt Foundation is pursuing a more equitable and prosperous future for all Texans through education and community partnerships. The Foundation is working toward a future in which all Texas children and families live in vibrant communities supported by a world-class education system. To learn more, visit CharlesButtFdn.org.
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