Celebrate Our Texas Public Schools
As Commissioner of Education, I have the privilege of visiting campuses across our state and celebrating the successes of our public schools throughout the year. But for those who need some type of official designation to initiate some formal celebration, we have Texas Public Schools Week (Feb. 29-March 4).
Throughout this week, our public schools will be hosting various events to spotlight the great work taking place in every region of Texas. I encourage you to take time to attend these festivities and learn more about what our public schools have to offer. More importantly, I know you will see how our schools are working to educate the schoolchildren of Texas while securing the economic future of our state.
But beyond the academics, great schools share a key ingredient of success. On every successful campus you’ll find effective teachers with a commitment to every student walking through their classroom door. It is that human element that cannot be replicated by technology or the latest educational learning tool. An effective teacher, working to help every child in his or her classroom, assures we provide solid footing in that school year and the years ahead.
As a remind of that unique connection between teacher and student, I was recently sent a video link from an assistant principal at Barron Elementary School in the Plano Independent School District. Replicating a video project they had seen, teachers on their campus took the time to tell some of their students that they are important – and recorded their reactions. If you have a few minutes, you can see how this simple act had an impact – even with students of elementary school age: https://youtu.be/cyR7tVzPWDk
I commend the leadership and teachers at Barron Elementary School for tackling this unique video project. As I look at the academic performance at this school, I can see something special is happening on this campus with student achievement continuing to improve. Such success occurs when people take time to teach and care.
Rest assured that this success story is taking place on campuses throughout our state. I hope you will take time to visit the public schools in your area to see the wonderful things that are taking place there. Let’s celebrate Texas Public Schools Week this week – and throughout the year.
Commissioner of Education Michael Morath
March 2, 2016
Throughout this week, our public schools will be hosting various events to spotlight the great work taking place in every region of Texas. I encourage you to take time to attend these festivities and learn more about what our public schools have to offer. More importantly, I know you will see how our schools are working to educate the schoolchildren of Texas while securing the economic future of our state.
But beyond the academics, great schools share a key ingredient of success. On every successful campus you’ll find effective teachers with a commitment to every student walking through their classroom door. It is that human element that cannot be replicated by technology or the latest educational learning tool. An effective teacher, working to help every child in his or her classroom, assures we provide solid footing in that school year and the years ahead.
As a remind of that unique connection between teacher and student, I was recently sent a video link from an assistant principal at Barron Elementary School in the Plano Independent School District. Replicating a video project they had seen, teachers on their campus took the time to tell some of their students that they are important – and recorded their reactions. If you have a few minutes, you can see how this simple act had an impact – even with students of elementary school age: https://youtu.be/cyR7tVzPWDk
I commend the leadership and teachers at Barron Elementary School for tackling this unique video project. As I look at the academic performance at this school, I can see something special is happening on this campus with student achievement continuing to improve. Such success occurs when people take time to teach and care.
Rest assured that this success story is taking place on campuses throughout our state. I hope you will take time to visit the public schools in your area to see the wonderful things that are taking place there. Let’s celebrate Texas Public Schools Week this week – and throughout the year.
Commissioner of Education Michael Morath
March 2, 2016