Revolutionizing Learning: Highlights from the Texas Innovation Summit
Texas is primed for education innovation that will allow students to thrive in the 21st century. As schools emerge from the pandemic to increased political polarization, this is a pivotal time for Texas to move schools away from the industrial paradigm and towards innovative models designed for equity and impact.
School districts and organizations throughout Texas are engaging in many ways to redesign learning. Transcend has been privileged to work with over 60 schools across the state through the School Action Fund to create a community-based vision for education innovation that allows young Texans to thrive in and transform the world.
Transcend—in partnership with The Dallas Foundation, Empower Schools, and Educate Texas—hosted the first-ever Texas Innovation Summit, which took place September 26-28, 2023 in Dallas. Showcasing inspiring leaders, innovative school models, and cutting-edge topics, the event supported over 80 participants in their efforts to support school communities to create and spread extraordinary, equitable learning environments.
Transcend is proud to share breakthrough moments from the event:
Transcend co-CEO Aylon Samouha delivers the opening keynote, highlighting the fact that unlike other fields, like medicine, schools have not changed much since the early 1900s.
Biomedical Preparatory Principal, Dr. Roberto Gonzalez, Teacher, Katelyn Holt, Coordinator, Natalie Cruz-Garcia, and Assistant Principal, Gina Maffucci. Biomedical Preparatory, located in Dallas ISD, talked about their growing partnership with UT Southwestern, which includes physicians offering engaging presentations to students on Fridays.
Executive Director, Jeanne Russell, and Program Director, Jen Maestas from the Centers for Applied Science and Technology talk about how student agency is a core part of their school model.
Gaby Sierra from Aldine ISD shared how Ermel Elementary leverages extra time through the Additional Days School Year (ADSY) state initiative to address both student and teacher needs.
Sam Houston Elementary (Galena Park ISD): Principal Michelle Cavazos (center) and Assistant Principals Hilda Nañez (left) and Ilene Duran (right) showcased how their Strong Start program has transformed adult-student relationships at their campus now that teachers have taken the lead in designing formative student experiences in their classrooms.
Hopkins Elementary (Victoria ISD): Principal Leandra Hill (left) and Instructional Coach Melanie Gadsden (right) empowered other Texas School Leaders by sharing their blended learning journey, lessons learned, and best practices. They took time to problem solve challenges other leaders are facing and worked with them to find solutions based on their experience.
Adrian Salinas, a student at UNT-Dallas who also works as a teacher with a coding program, shared how their supervisor supports them as a non-binary individual, saying to them “No matter what, we care about you and accept you as you are.” They also shared, “My peers help me develop self-love.”
Terrance Patrick, an alumni of the Centers for Applied Science and Technology (CAST) located in San Antonio, shared that “…hands on learning, physical learning – not presentations from the front of the class,” are the ways he learns best.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has the potential to drastically change how humans learn together and how traditional “schools” are designed. Corey Brady, Associate Professor of Mathematics and Learning Sciences at SMU, Cara Jackson, Chief Technology Officer in Mesquite ISD and George Tang, Innovation Executive for Educate Texas led a discussion on how AI can be leveraged to improve teaching and learning. Pictured: Corey Brady
Transcend supports communities to create and spread extraordinary, equitable learning environments.
