Campus leaders emerge stronger from Holdsworth program

Last week, 206 principals, assistant principals, teachers and other campus leaders from 48 schools across Texas celebrated completion of The Holdsworth Center’s Campus Leadership Program with gift boxes, medals, alumni pins, dancing and lots of cowbell.

For two years, leaders attended interactive learning sessions with expert faculty, went on site visits and deepened individual leadership skills while working toward excellent and equitable outcomes for students on their campus. They also formed strong bonds with campus leaders from across the state and left the program with lifelong friends and supporters.

The program is part of the larger 5-year Holdsworth Partnership, a multifaceted investment to help school districts grow a strong bench of outstanding leaders at all levels of the system.

To create a common language and understanding of leadership principles, Holdsworth invites 50 percent of schools within the Holdsworth Partnership districts to join the Campus Leadership Program.

Holdsworth’s goal in the Campus Leadership Program is to create stronger leaders and equip them with the knowledge and tools to achieve results for students – and do so in a thoughtful, methodical way that makes staff and students feel hopeful and confident in their ability to succeed.

Scroll through some photos to see the celebration.

Here’s what leaders had to say about their experience in the program:

“This has been the single most impactful professional development experience of my 34-year career in education.”
– Judi Peters, Bonham Elementary, Harlingen CISD

“It’s too small to say that I’ve grown here. My work with Holdsworth has awakened me. I came into this program experiencing my role as a job and was beginning to consider looking outside of education. My work with Holdsworth has helped realign me to my purpose and calling.”
– Lacy Starnes, West Mesquite High School, Mesquite ISD

“Students are the reason we do what we do. Their success is why we strive to be the best we can be. Being a part of Holdsworth has further validated my why and allowed me to be better for my students. Holdsworth has made me a better person, which was then passed on to my students.”
– Jessica Graham, Wunsche Senior High School, Spring ISD

“I wish every school in Texas had the opportunity to go through this program. The ways it has changed me, my leaders and my school are innumerable. Imagine if the impact could be spread statewide.”
– Claudia Carson, Galloway Elementary, Mesquite ISD

Schools that completed the Campus Leadership Program