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Leadership Training

SMU Institute for Leadership Impact Welcomes 2023-2024 District Leadership Fellows 

Grid of headshots of 2023-2024 District Leadership Fellows with welcome message
A new cohort of school district leaders have been welcomed into the District Leadership Fellows program, a hybrid in-person and online leadership training program for school district superintendents and district leaders run by the Institute for Leadership Impact at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas.   

The 2023-2024 cohort includes leaders from school districts across Texas, as well as from Arkansas and Wisconsin.  School districts ranging in size from two hundred students to fifty thousand students are included.    

Of the program, 2022-2023 participant Dr. Bryan Taulton, Superintendent, Coldspring-Oakhurst CISD, said “The SMU District Leadership Fellows Program has been of tremendous value as not only are you able to establish a student-centered Impact Goal, but also collaborate and network with other school leaders to openly discuss and work through present issues facing education.” 

The District Leadership Fellows program is a strengths-based leadership development program that enhances the leadership abilities of established and emerging school district leaders through an intensive year-long cohort. Through collaboration with peers and recognized education experts, Fellows are empowered to solve hard problems in their districts, build their leadership skills, and develop lasting educational leadership networks. The program is hosted by the Institute for Leadership Impact in the Simmons School of Education & Human Development at SMU in Dallas, Texas. 

Who’s in the 2023-2024 cohort?  School leaders in the upcoming cohort of the District Leadership Fellows program include Dr. Cassandra Barker (Deputy Superintendent, Lancaster ISD), Dr. Matthew Birdwell (Principal, Levelland ISD), Dr. Angie Brooks (Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction, Coppell ISD), Dr. Onjaleke Brown (Superintendent, St. Anthony Academy), Dr. Toriano Green (Superintendent, Osceola School District #1), Dr. Kristin Hebert (Director of Secondary Academics, Plano ISD), Dr. Jason Hewitt (Superintendent, Shepherd ISD), Dr. Tamela Horton (Executive Director of Transformational Learning, Arlington ISD), Dr. Dana Jobe (Superintendent, Universal Academy), Dr. Elizabeth Klammer (Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum & Instruction, Coldspring-Oakhurst CISD), Mrs. Olga Moucoulis (Chief of Staff and Communications, Edgewood ISD), Dr. Jennifer Parker (Community Superintendent, Spring Branch ISD), Dr. Veronica Perkins (Superintendent, Blytheville School District), Mr. Daniel Piña (Director of Transportation, Edgewood ISD), Dr. Tarrynce Robinson (Superintendent of Schools, West Allis-West Milwaukee School District), Dr. Tracie Robinson (Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum, Instruction and Leadership, Westwood ISD), Dr. Teresa Silva (Director of Teaching and Learning, Edgewood ISD), Mrs. Shelly Spaulding (Assistant Superintendent, McKinney ISD), Dr. LaBotta Taylor (Chief Human Resources Officer, Lancaster ISD), Mrs. Janelle Thomas (GEAR UP Project Manager/Program Director, Region 10 ESC), Ms. Gloria M. Walker (ESL Coordinator, Waxahachie ISD), and Dr. Norbert Whitaker (Executive Director of Student Services, Cedar Hill ISD).  Dr. Brown is a returning to the program for her second year.     

To learn more about Institute for Leadership Impact programs, visit our website, email us at leadershipimpact@smu.edu, and engage with us on Twitter.  

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Leadership Training Uncategorized

2022-2023 Cohort of District Leadership Fellows Celebrate Completing the Program 

Grid of headshots
“The District Leadership Fellows program offered me professional growth overall. By identifying my areas of strength as a leader and acknowledging the strengths of others on my team, we have shifted the way we lead in our district.” Mrs. Taylor Williams, Superintendent, Slidell ISD  

The 2022-2023 cohort of District Leadership Fellows celebrated the completion of the program.   Following an in-person kick-off at SMU, and online cohort and peer group sessions in the Fall, District Leaders met again at SMU for the Winter Retreat.  Having continued to meet online through the spring with program facilitators and their Peer Group, the cohort received support as they implemented their projects and completed the program.   

People seated at tables, one person talking
Leaders at the Winter Retreat

Of the program, Dr. Keena Bradley, Executive Director of Employee Services and Experience at Aldine ISD said “District Leadership Fellows encouraged me to reflect on my role as a leader and created a space for me to enhance my capacity as a leader. The program is intentional in its approach to provide an opportunity for meaningful and collaborative dialogue for its participants to examine a problem of practice and implement goal–oriented solutions.” 

People sitting at tables, one person talking
Leaders at the Winter Retreat

Dr. Brad Hunt, Superintendent, Coppell ISD spoke for many when he said “I found myself looking forward to each Friday’s session and eager to learn from the incredible people I have met through this process.”  He went on to say “I am so glad I was accepted in the District Leadership Fellows I highly recommend this program to others.” 

Congratulations to the 2022-2023 cohort of District Leadership Fellows!  We are proud of you and wish you continued success and growth on your leadership journeys.  

Interested in joining the next cohort to develop your leadership skills?  Click here to learn more and click here to apply.    

To learn more about Institute for Leadership Impact programs, visit our website, email us at leadershipimpact@smu.edu, and engage with us on Twitter.  

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Leadership Training

District Leadership Fellows Gather at Mid-Year Retreat

Three people sitting on chairs having discussion
Dean Stephanie Knight, Simmons School of Education and Human Development, leading a panel on developing leaders with Fellows Dr. Bryan Taulton, Coldspring-Oakhurst CISD, and Dr. Keena Bradley, Aldine ISD, and others
2022-2023 District Leadership Fellows gathered at SMU for a Mid-Year Retreat to share progress on their individual projects, and to plan for moving forwards in the spring.

District Leadership Fellows program director Dr. Eric G. Bing welcomed the cohort back to SMU for their mid-year retreat.  Dr. Stephanie Knight, Dean of the Simmons School of Education and Human Development, lead a panel discussion on developing leaders.  Panelists Drs. Dana Arreola, Aldine ISD, Keena Bradley, Aldine ISD, Bryan Taulton, Coldspring-Oakhurst CISD, and Mrs. Taylor Williams, Slidell ISD, shared their insights on developing leaders.  They shared the initial goal of their projects and ways the District Leadership Fellows program has helped them reach their goals.  The panel ended with the Fellows reflecting on advice they wish they had known before starting their projects.

Man standing in front of screen showing students graduating
Dr. Darwin Spiller, Richardson ISD, presenting an update on his project

Dr. Darwin Spiller, Richardson ISD, presented an update on his project to the full cohort.  He began by asking the audience to reflect on two contrasting images: the first image of police officers and people in handcuffs followed by an image of students in graduation cap and gown.  Dr. Spiller shared an overview of a training program for students which is helping them move away from interactions with law enforcement and towards graduation.  He reflected on successes and challenges while implementing the training program.  He showed his appreciation for the District Leadership Fellows cohort who provided him with valuable feedback as well as for Dr. Bing who helped him with advice through one-on-one coaching sessions.  Through these experiences, along with collaboration with departments in his district, he was able to dig deeper, create a detailed plan with specific goals for his position, and help students reach their fullest potential.

Three people sitting at table having discussion
School leaders Mrs. Amanda Wallace (Henderson ISD), Dr. Mike Rockwood (Lake Dallas ISD) and Dr. Bryan Taulton (Coldspring-Oakhurst CISD) discuss their mid-year updates.

All cohort members had the opportunity to share progress on their projects with a small group.  Along with feedback from their small group, the Fellows received praise from cohort members on their efforts and successes.

Woman standing on front of screen
Dr. Kristin Craft, Spring Branch ISD, giving a keynote address

To close the day, cohort member Dr. Kristin Craft, Spring Branch ISD, shared a keynote address with the title “Heart and Soul.”  She reflected and discussed the significance of several photos that motivate her and why they are meaningful to her.  Dr. Craft shared her reasons and motivation of applying for the program and her understanding of leadership as ‘leading through influence’ with well-built relationships and trust.

Photographer taking photo of a group
Cohort members taking a group photo

The cohort will continue to meet online throughout the spring semester as they support each other in continuing to implement their projects.

 

To learn more about Institute for Leadership Impact programs, visit our website, email us at leadershipimpact@smu.edu, and engage with us on Twitter.

Categories
Leadership Training

Applications Open for 2023-2024 District Leadership Fellows

The SMU District Leaders program at its center creates a space for leaders to discuss Problems of Practice that are germane to the conversation happening in the field of Educational Leadership. – Dr. Eduardo Hernandez, Superintendent, Edgewood ISD, Texas  

Applications are open for the 2023-2024 cohort of the District Leadership Fellows, a hybrid in-person and online strengths-based leadership development program run by the Institute for Leadership Impact at Southern Methodist University. Established and emerging district leaders who are collaborative, motivated to create change, and who have a strong desire for personal leadership growth are invited to apply. Fellows will apply learning from cohort meetings, peer group meetings and interactive tutorials to a real-world challenge in their districts.  

Tools  
  • Participate in a dynamic in-person and online learning environment  
  • Learn from SMU faculty and education experts  
  • Receive individual coaching  
  • Engage with in-house interactive training modules  
Takeaways  
  • Enhance your leadership skills  
  • Better align your work with your personal mission  
  • Apply your learning to a real-world challenge in your district  
  • Expand your network and collaborate with a diverse cohort of peers  

Program Timeline  
Provisional Schedule  

Fall 2023  

  • In-person fall retreat
  • Biweekly cohort meetings online – two hours 
  • Biweekly Peer Group meetings online – one hour 

Spring 2024  

  • In-person winter retreat 
  • Monthly Peer Group meetings online – one hour 

Eligibility: The program is open to school district superintendents and other leaders from the district office. 

Program Fee: $1450 

Applications and nominations: Interested in joining the cohort?  Complete your application here.  Know someone who would be a great fit for the program?  Nominate them here.  

More information: Download the program flyer, visit the Institute for Leadership Impact website, email Christine Ferguson at cjferguson@smu.edu, or call 214-768-1073.

To learn more about Institute for Leadership Impact programs, visit our website, email us at leadershipimpact@smu.edu, and engage with us on Twitter.  

Categories
Leadership Training

2022-2023 District Leadership Fellows Cohort Convenes

The 2022-2023 cohort of District Leadership Fellows has begun the year with an in-person meeting at SMU.  

Group photo

After two years entirely online, the Institute for Leadership Impact was delighted to host district leaders from across Texas and Arkansas in-person at SMU for a two-day kick-off for the District Leadership Fellows program.   

People at tables discussing challenge

Program director Dr. G. Bing launched the program by challenging teams of leaders to solve a problem well outside their usual experience.  While planning to slow the health crisis in Africa might seem removed from providing the best education possible to children in the United States, it became clear that the leadership skills needed to solve one challenge applied directly to the other challenge.      

Person smiling

To start day two, fellows engaged in a mindfulness activity, remembering and re-finding their purpose and motivation.  They will keep their larger goal in sight as they move through the year.   

One person interviewing another

Each leader entered the program with a goal in their district they want to accomplish overt the course of the program.  Leaders began by interviewing each other about their district goal, internal and external resources available, and the activities they might carry out to accomplish their goal.  From there, leaders moved on to talking through measuring progress along the way.  Each leader then transferred this information over to an Impact Model.   

Group of people working at a table

Following the kick-off, leaders have been refining their Impact Model in discussion with their district team, and their Peer Group.  The cohort is continuing to meet online, with an in-person winter retreat scheduled in January.   

Group at tables smiling

To learn more about Institute for Leadership Impact programs, visit our website, email us at leadershipimpact@smu.edu, and engage with us on Twitter.   

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Institute for Leadership Impact

SMU Institute for Leadership Impact Welcomes 2022-2023 District Leadership Fellows 

32 school district leaders have been welcomed into the 2022-2023 cohort of District Leadership Fellows, a hybrid in-person and online leadership training program for school district superintendents and executive district leaders run by the Institute for Leadership Impact at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas.   

Montage of headshots

The 2022-2023 cohort, the largest since the program was founded in 2016, includes leaders from school districts in Arkansas and across Texas.  It includes Superintendents and Assistant Superintendents, along with Executive Directors and other district leaders.  School districts of many different sizes are represented, from rural schools with less than two hundred students, to urban districts with over sixty thousand students.    

Of the program, 2021-2022 participant Dr. Angela Herron, Chief Teaching & Learning Officer, Grand Prairie ISD, said “SMU’s District Leadership Fellows program is a wonderful program that enhanced my ability to lead with a more laser focus on my desired goals for my district. Through complex, relevant, and engaging activities, the program equipped me with the tools to have a more strategic approach to problem-solving, which allowed me to lead more efficiently and systematically.  I appreciate my time in the program and found each session beneficial to increasing outcomes for my district.” 

The District Leadership Fellows program is a strengths-based leadership development program that enhances the leadership abilities of established and emerging school district leaders through an intensive year-long cohort. Through collaboration with peers and recognized education experts, Fellows are empowered to solve hard problems in their districts, build their leadership skills, and develop lasting educational leadership networks. The program is hosted by the Institute for Leadership Impact in the Simmons School of Education & Human Development at SMU in Dallas, Texas. 

 Who’s in the 2022-2023 cohort?  

School leaders in the upcoming cohort of the District Leadership Fellows program include Dr. Dana Arreola (Executive Director of Leadership Development, Aldine ISD), Dr. Stephanie Bonneau (Principal, Mansfield ISD), Dr. Keena Bradley (Executive Director of Employee Services and Experience, Aldine ISD), Mrs. Onjaleke Brown (Superintendent, St. Anthony Academy), Mr. Brett Bunch (Superintendent, Brookland Public Schools), Mrs. Shenikwa Cager (Executive Director of Teaching and Learning, A W Brown Leadership Academy), Dr. Sedric Clark (Superintendent, Gladewater ISD), Dr. Michelle Cline (Superintendent, Throckmorton Collegiate ISD), Dr. Kristin Craft (Associate Superintendent, Spring Branch ISD), Dr. Denver Crum (Superintendent, Springlake-Earth ISD), Dr. Carnelius Gilder (Superintendent, West Sabine ISD), Dr. Winnifred Goodman (Chief of Schools, Duncanville ISD), Mr. Tellauance Graham (Assistant Superintendent, Cedar Hill ISD), Mr. Ron Holmgreen (Superintendent, Brock ISD), Dr. Brad Hunt (Superintendent, Coppell ISD), Mrs. Gaya Jefferson (Executive Director of Professional Learning, Richardson ISD), Mr. George Kennedy (Assistant Superintendent, Brookland Public Schools), Dr. Tonya Knowlton (Superintendent, Community ISD), Mrs. Jaema Krier (Director of Administration, UT Tyler University Academy), Dr. Donny Lee (Superintendent, Wichita Falls ISD), Dr. Sandra Moore (Executive Director Human Resources, Richardson ISD), Ms. Karalei Nunn (Founder & COO, Meridian World School), Dr. Jeremy Owoh (Superintendent, Jacksonville North Pulaski School District), Dr. Veronica Perkins (Superintendent, Blytheville School District), Dr. Brenda Poole (Superintendent, Brinkley Public Schools), Dr. Mike Rockwood (Superintendent, Lake Dallas ISD), Dr. Darwin Spiller (Executive Director of Title IX Compliance & Investigations, Richardson ISD), Mr. Jeremy Strickland (Superintendent, Trenton ISD), Dr. Bryan Taulton (Superintendent of Schools, Coldspring-Oakhurst CISD), Ms. Cindy Trevino (Chief of Human Resources and Student Services, Edgewood ISD), Mrs. Amanda Wallace (Assistant Superintendent of Personnel & Policy, Henderson ISD), and Mrs. Taylor Williams (Superintendent, Slidell ISD).  Mr. Bunch, and Drs. Cline and Poole are returning Fellows.   

  To learn more about Institute for Leadership Impact programs, visit our website, email us at leadershipimpact@smu.edu, and engage with us on Twitter.  

Categories
Leadership Training

District Leadership Fellows Discuss Enhancing the Superintendent – School Board Relationship

Program alum Dr. Chris Moran shared his wisdom on effectively working with school boards.

Headshot
Dr. Chris Moran, Superintendent, Whitehouse ISD

At a recent cohort meeting, Dr. Chris Moran, Superintendent of Whitehouse ISD, shared his experiences in enhancing the superintendent – school board relationship.  Drawing on his 30 years in education, including 11 as a school superintendent, Dr. Moran shared with fellows his 10 Commandments for Board Superintendent Relations:

I am the Board, your boss, you should have no strange goals before me
Take the time needed to work with the board to develop a strong strategic plan so everyone is working towards the same shared goals.

Don’t take the name of the board, your boss, in vain
It is so important that the board knows that you respect and value them.  You can do that by investing time with them.

Remember to keep holy the board’s day
Board meeting days, and days leading up to board meetings, should be time to focus and ensure the board meeting is a successful and pleasant experience.  Prepare the board well in advance of big agenda items, starting months in advance if needed.

Honor your Board of Trustees members
Never say a disparaging word about a board member to anyone.  You can be sure it will resurface if you do.

You should not kill your future by picking battles you should not fight
Pick your battles wisely and be a consistent leader.

Don’t commit unfaithful acts against your board
As superintendent you are always on the clock. Dress and act like the superintendent they hired you to be at all times.

Don’t steal the credit
Give credit when credit is due.  Make time daily to give encouragement and recognition to someone in your district.

Don’t bear false witness against your board
Give only solid and accurate information to the board.  Hiding or shading information will ruin trust and destroy relationships.

Don’t covet other people to serve on the board
Serve the board you are given, just bloom where you are planted with the board you have.

Don’t covet your neighbor board’s operating procedures
Develop your district operating procedures with the board, so everyone is on board with the ground rules.

These 10 items provided a basis for the discussion that followed.  Fellows shared their experiences and discussed how to best apply the points raised by Dr. Moran, and others, in their own districts.  Collaboration with peers is one of the key components of the District Leadership Fellows program, and this session provided a great demonstration of that process in action.  

Interested in building your professional network and collaborating with peers?  Apply to join the next cohort.   Click here to learn more and click here to apply.   

 To learn more about Institute for Leadership Impact programs, visit our website, email us at leadershipimpact@smu.edu, and engage with us on Twitter. 

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Leadership Training

Creating Impact Serves as Cornerstone of District Leadership Fellows Program

“The District Leadership Fellows Impact Model has been very beneficial for me. It gives me a way to distill big ideas into something that is very concise and easier to communicate.”  Dr. John Tackett, 2020-2021 cohort alum

 

Dr. Eric Bing working with District Leadership Fellows
Dr. Eric Bing facilitating a group discussion with District Leadership Fellows

The District Leadership Fellows program at SMU, designed for school superintendents and executive district leaders, focuses on creating impact.  Each Fellow enters the program with a leadership project they wish to accomplish over the course of the year.  Early cohort sessions introduce the Impact Model, an organizational framework for thinking through the project, communicating the project to others, and executing the project. Later cohort and coaching sessions offer support and collaboration as Fellows implement their Impact Models.

 

Dr. Michelle Cline, Superintendent of Throckmorton Collegiate ISD and District Leadership Fellows alum, sat down the Dr. Eric G. Bing, Director of the Institute for Leadership Impact, to talk through the Impact Model and how it helped her achieve goals in her district.  Learn more about her experience in this video.

Interested in joining the next cohort and creating impact in your district?  Click here to learn more and click here to apply. 

To learn more about Institute for Leadership Impact programs, visit our website, email us at leadershipimpact@smu.edu, and engage with us on Twitter. 

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Leadership Training

2021-2022 Cohort of District Leadership Fellows Celebrate Program Completion

Gratitude, conviction, execution, growth, intentional, accountable and open are words the 2021-2022 cohort will embody as they move forward on their leadership journey.  

Headshots of 27 District Leadership Fellows, 2021-2022 Cohort

At the final meeting of the 2021-2022 cohort of the District Leadership Fellows program, Fellows had the opportunity to celebrate their successes and reflect on their mission and journey.  Fellows read back through their initial thoughts on their mission, and reflected on whether those sentiments still spoke to them.  They had the opportunity to reaffirm or modify their mission, and to talk through how they might strengthen the alignment between their actions and mission to make their work more meaningful and impactful.   

Headshot
Dr. Debbie Atwell, Superintendent, Mountainburg Public Schools

Dr. Debbie Atwell began the discussion on the cohort’s leadership journeys by speaking on her passion for her work in Mountainburg Public Schools. The cohort then reflected on their own leadership journeys, what they will take with them as they move forward, and how they have grown as leaders.   
 
Congratulations to the 2021-2022 cohort of District Leadership Fellows!  We are proud of you and wish you continued success and growth on your leadership journeys. 

Interested in joining the next cohort to develop your leadership skills?  Click here to learn more and click here to apply.   

To learn more about Institute for Leadership Impact programs, visit our website, email us at leadershipimpact@smu.edu, and engage with us on Twitter. 

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Research

Students Test Virtual Reality Surgical Simulation Developed at SMU

Over the summer of 2021, three SMU undergraduate students and one high school student tested components of a research study training surgeons in Zambia to treat postpartum hemorrhage.  Three of the students tested a virtual reality surgical simulation developed for the study. 

Khasvi S. using the virtual reality surgical simulation to practice the steps of a hysterectomy surgery.
Khasvi S. using the virtual reality surgical simulation to practice the steps of a hysterectomy surgery.

SMU undergraduate students James Gullett, Thomas Truong and Muaz Wahid, along with high school student Kashvi S., interned in the SMU Center for Global Health Impact in summer 2021.  All four tested various components of a research study training surgeons in Zambia to treat postpartum hemorrhage.  Thomas and Muaz tested and provided feedback on the virtual reality surgical simulation developed at SMU to train surgeons in performing a simple hysterectomy.   

Thomas described his experience  “My role in this project was to go through the eLearning course and Virtual Reality simulation as a complete beginner, noting how the material on disease and surgical interventions was presented and detailing my learning experience throughout. What I took away was an incredibly engaging exposure to medicine, education, and the process of learning. In deep diving into the many nuances of a surgical intervention, I was kept afloat by my experiences with the VR simulation, a way to apply my knowledge hands-on. Only by seeing the real-world application in front of me could I make sense of everything I was learning, an interactive style of teaching that I am confident will not only help Zambian physicians, but students everywhere.” 

Thomas reflected “As the summer ended, I realized how this internship made me aware of how I can play a larger role in health and education, especially useful in countries like Zambia where there is often one physician per hundreds, if not thousands, of people. As I pursue a career in medicine, the feeling of being constantly engaged and curious during my time at SMU’s Center for Global Health Impact has directed my attention to medical education, a field I now want to impact in my future.” 

An early stage of the hysterectomy simulation showing clamping of the uterine vessels
An early stage of the hysterectomy simulation showing clamping of the uterine vessels

Muaz, who went into the simulation with confidence given his years of experience with technology through computer video games, was surprised at the level of intricacy and accuracy the simulation required. He shared “Personally, my experience with the hysterectomy surgery simulation made me realize the complexities and challenges of surgery. However, as I watched others like Thomas practice the simulation, I was able to adopt ways to be successful. With a month of practice, I now scored highly with consistency. I was finally able to do the surgery unassisted and help teach others, including a high school student, how to operate the VR.” 

A later stage of the hysterectomy simulation showing suturing on the cardinal ligament. 
A later stage of the hysterectomy simulation showing suturing on the cardinal ligament.

Following testing of the virtual reality surgical simulation at SMU, study material was shipped to Zambia.  In the Fall of 2021, surgeons in Zambia participated in the study.  Data from those participants is being analyzed at SMU.   

To learn more about Institute for Leadership Impact programs, visit our website, email us at leadershipimpact@smu.edu, and engage with us on Twitter.