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Campus leaders emerge stronger from Holdsworth program

By The Holdsworth Center|June 22, 2022
Campus principals, assistant principals, teachers and other campus leaders from Cohort 2.1 of The Holdsworth’s Center’s Campus Leadership Program pose for a group picture on the Holdsworth campus after completing the intense, 2-year leadership 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 multi-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.

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Allison DeSantis of Hopewell Middle School in Round Rock ISD, was photographed as she rings a cowbell to celebrate her completion of The Holdsworth’s Center’s 2-year Campus Leadership Program. Last week, more than 200 campus principals, assistant principals, teachers and other campus leaders celebrated their accomplishment with medals, gift boxes and yes – more cowbell.
Allison DeSantis of Hopewell Middle School in Round Rock ISD, rings a cowbell to celebrate her completion of The Holdsworth’s Center’s 2-year Campus Leadership Program. Last week, more than 200 campus principals, assistant principals, teachers and other campus leaders celebrated their accomplishment with medals, gift boxes and yes – more cowbell.
A panel of campus leaders was photographed as they shared about their experience in Holdsworth’s 2-year Campus Leadership Program at a completion ceremony last week. Pictured from left: Suzy Meyer of Crosswinds Accelerated High School, Grand Prairie ISD; Katrina McLean of Pink Elementary, Lamar CISD; Jorge Barrera of McNeill Elementary, Lamar CISD; Fabiola Alfaro of Santos Livas Elementary, Pharr-San Juan-Alamo ISD; April Nilson, Berkman Elementary, Round Rock ISD.
A panel of campus leaders shares about their experience in Holdsworth’s 2-year Campus Leadership Program at a completion ceremony last week. Pictured from left: Suzy Meyer of Crosswinds Accelerated High School, Grand Prairie ISD; Katrina McLean of Pink Elementary, Lamar CISD; Jorge Barrera of McNeill Elementary, Lamar CISD; Fabiola Alfaro of Santos Livas Elementary, Pharr-San Juan-Alamo ISD; April Nilson, Berkman Elementary, Round Rock ISD.
Campus principals, assistant principals, teachers and other campus leaders from Cohort 1.3 of The Holdsworth’s Center’s Campus Leadership Program posed for a group picture on the Holdsworth campus after completing the intense, 2-year leadership program.
Campus principals, assistant principals, teachers and other campus leaders from Cohort 1.3 of The Holdsworth’s Center’s Campus Leadership Program pose for a group picture on the Holdsworth campus after completing the intense, 2-year leadership program.
The campus leadership team from Arredondo Elementary in Lamar CISD was photographed as they celebrated completion of the 2-year Campus Leadership Program with a group picture. Pictured from left: Katrina Avinger, Amber Barbarow-Sadley, Laci Crowson, Hillary Bartee and Nicole White.
The campus leadership team from Arredondo Elementary in Lamar CISD celebrates completion of the 2-year Campus Leadership Program with a group picture. Pictured from left: Katrina Avinger, Amber Barbarow-Sadley, Laci Crowson, Hillary Bartee and Nicole White.
A campus leader is photographed as she opens a gift box and reads a letter from H-E-B Chairman and Holdsworth founder Charles Butt during a completion celebration for the 2-year Campus Leadership Program.
A campus leader opens a gift box and reads a letter from H-E-B Chairman and Holdsworth founder Charles Butt during a completion celebration for the 2-year Campus Leadership Program.
Carrie Tanta (L) and Heather Patterson (R) of George Ranch High School in Lamar CISD don celebratory eyewear to mark completion of the 2-year Campus Leadership Program in this photo.
Carrie Tanta (L) and Heather Patterson (R) of George Ranch High School in Lamar CISD don celebratory eyewear to mark completion of the 2-year Campus Leadership Program.
Campus principals, assistant principals, teachers and other campus leaders from Cohort 2.1 of The Holdsworth’s Center’s Campus Leadership Program pose for a group picture on the Holdsworth campus after completing the intense, 2-year leadership program in this photo.
Campus principals, assistant principals, teachers and other campus leaders from Cohort 2.1 of The Holdsworth’s Center’s Campus Leadership Program pose for a group picture on the Holdsworth campus after completing the intense, 2-year leadership program.
Jackie Gonzales of Woodlake Elementary in Judson ISD rings a cowbell to celebrate completion of The Holdsworth’s Center’s 2-year Campus Leadership Program in this photo.
Jackie Gonzales of Woodlake Elementary in Judson ISD rings a cowbell to celebrate completion of The Holdsworth’s Center’s 2-year Campus Leadership Program.
Katlin Stephens from Bluebonnet Elementary in Lockhart ISD writes a note of gratitude to someone who has made an impact on her during the 2-year Campus Leadership Program in this photo.
Katlin Stephens from Bluebonnet Elementary in Lockhart ISD writes a note of gratitude to someone who has made an impact on her during the 2-year Campus Leadership Program.
The campus leadership team from Rolling Meadows Elementary in Judson ISD poses for this photo with Judson ISD Superintendent Jeanette Ball and Holdsworth staff at a ceremony celebrating their completion of the 2-year Campus Leadership Program. From left, Lindsay Whorton and Lee Rutledge of Holdsworth, Sharisa Rhoades, Dwan Joseph and Jeanette Ball of Judson ISD; and Pauline Dow of Holdsworth.
The campus leadership team from Rolling Meadows Elementary in Judson ISD pose for a picture with Judson ISD Superintendent Jeanette Ball and Holdsworth staff at a ceremony celebrating their completion of the 2-year Campus Leadership Program. From left, Lindsay Whorton and Lee Rutledge of Holdsworth, Sharisa Rhoades, Dwan Joseph and Jeanette Ball of Judson ISD; and Pauline Dow of Holdsworth.
Minnie Ramirez of Harlingen CISD goes in for a hug from a Holdsworth staff member after completing the 2-year Campus Leadership Program in this photo.
Minnie Ramirez of Harlingen CISD goes in for a hug from a Holdsworth staff member after completing the 2-year Campus Leadership Program.
Mike Pierotti of Moss Elementary in Mesquite ISD rings a cowbell to celebrate completion of The Holdsworth’s Center’s 2-year Campus Leadership Program in this photo.
Mike Pierotti of Moss Elementary in Mesquite ISD rings a cowbell to celebrate completion of The Holdsworth’s Center’s 2-year Campus Leadership Program.

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

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