Schools - page 3

The Charles Butt Foundation, a non-profit pursuing a more equitable and prosperous future for all Texans through education and community partnerships, has selected Bridge City Middle School Principal Grady Welborn 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.

Mr. Welborn is an innovative leader at the middle school campus, and we are excited about this opportunity he has been afforded, and its positive impacts at BCMS.

“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.

West Orange-Cove CISD voters approved the $72M bond proposition on the May ballot.

“The Board of Trustees and I are humbled by the trust placed in us by the voters of West Orange-Cove CISD,” stated Dr. Rickie Harris, Superintendent of West Orange-Cove CISD. “Your endorsement not only validates our efforts but also your dedication to the well-being and education of our children.”

With the approval of the bond proposition, the district pledges to uphold its commitment to fiscal responsibility and transparency. Every dollar will be meticulously managed to ensure the successful execution of construction projects aimed at enhancing the learning environment for students.

As the district embarks on this transformative journey, it looks forward to continued collaboration with the community to shape a brighter future for generations to come.

Lamar State College Orange held its Annual Employee Awards Luncheon on April 30, 2024. LSCO is grateful for every member of its faculty and staff who work tirelessly to ensure that each student achieves academic, professional, and personal excellence. With their hard work and dedication, LSCO is truly a place where hope meets opportunity.

Award Recipients include:

𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐄𝐱𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝

• Cristy Smith

𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐄𝐱𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝

• Audrey Ewer

𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭’𝐬 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐲 𝐌𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐭 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝

• Hank Ramsey

𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭’𝐬 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐟𝐟 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐂𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞

• Stephanie Jones

𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭’𝐬 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐟𝐟 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐂𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐮𝐬 & 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞

• Misty Dominguez

𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐄𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝

• George Scarborough

𝐒𝐆𝐀 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐛𝐨𝐝𝐲’𝐬 𝐅𝐚𝐯𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐲 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐭𝐨:

• Jacqueline Singleton

𝐒𝐆𝐀 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐛𝐨𝐝𝐲’𝐬 𝐅𝐚𝐯𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐟𝐟 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐭𝐨:

• Kendra De La Fuente

𝟓-𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬:

• Charlotte Barker
• Conswella “Connie” Brock
• Audrey Ewer
• Joseph “Joey” Hargrave
• Brian Hull
• Jessica Jaeger
• Byron Lumpkin

𝟏𝟎-𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬:

• Tim Hanson
• Amy Moore
• Carissa Saenz
• David Simar
• Samantha Smith

𝟏𝟓-𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬:

• Geneva Adams
• Jessica Montgomery
• Jennifer Trotter
• Mandee Tucker

𝟐𝟎-𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬:

• Suzanne Baker
• Diane Dotson

𝟑𝟎-𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬:

• Matthew McClure

𝟒𝟎-𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬:

• Andrew “Andy” Preslar

𝐑𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐀𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬:

• Dr. Kim Jongchul (17 years of Service)
• Andy Preslar (40 years of Service)
• Vicki Norville (23 years of Service)

Bridge City ISD announces the appointment of Shally Watts to the position of Director of Special Programs within Bridge City ISD. With a rich background in education and a deep commitment to student success, Watts brings over 15 years of invaluable experience to the district.

Watts has been an integral part of the BCISD educational community, serving as an Educational Diagnostician for the past 15 years. Her dedication and expertise have positively impacted students, parents, and staff across all campuses. Prior to her role as a Diagnostician, Watts spent eight years teaching 4th grade in Orangefield ISD, further enriching her understanding of the educational landscape.

In her new role as Director of Special Programs, Watts will continue her dedicated service to the district, ensuring exceptional support and resources for all students with diverse needs. Her passion for education, coupled with her wealth of experience, makes her an invaluable addition to the BCISD leadership team.