Educational Leadership Conference at A&M International March 23-24

A special two-day leadership conference at Texas A&M International University will help education professionals and school leaders to gain insight on current issues impacting educational leadership.

"School Leadership: The Challenge Continues," is sponsored by the University's College of Education and will be held March 23-24. The Leadership Conference was launched last year.

Dr. Humberto Gonzalez, chair of the College of Education's Department of Professional Programs, and Conference organizer, said Conference participants will include educators, principals and school board members. The Conference has been designed to provide each with unique opportunities for insight.

"The Conference participants will be exploring issues of tremendous relevance to educational leadership today, including legal issues, early childhood and secondary curriculum concerns, and leadership for schools in the new millennium," Dr. Gonzalez explained.

Gonzalez said the Conference will build on last year's success with another impressive program of relevant presenters.

"Last year, this was the region's first educational leadership conference and it was a tremendous success. It attracted some of our nation's leading authorities on educational leadership. This year'sconference will also feature presentations by some of the country's leading authorities on educational leadership. It will allow our regional educators and school leaders an opportunity to retool for the day's challenges," he said.

Gonzalez noted that most School Leadership conferences are often held at great distances from areas of greatest need and he encourages education professionals to take advantage of the local availability.

"Learning to be an education professional is developmental, spanning the educator's entire professional career, so we hope that education professionals in Laredo and the region take advantage of this rare opportunity to meet with some of the nation's top thinkers on school leadership," he added.

Conference registration forms are available by calling Gonzalez at (956) 326-2680. Regular Registration Fee is $75 before March 23 and $85 on site. Student Registration Fee is $25 in advance and $50 at the door.

The Conference begins Friday, March 23 with registration from 4 - 6 p.m. in the Great Room of the Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library (room 319). Entertainment by the University's award-winning Mariachi International will be featured from 6 - 7 p.m. Dinner, hosted by Johnny Carinos, and the Opening Session will follow from 7 - 9 p.m.

Opening Session presentations will include Dr. Bill Reaves of the Texas Education Agency and The Texas A&M University System, and Jim Nelson, Commissioner of the Texas Education Agency. Dr. Reaves will speak on "University Partnerships: K-16 Issues," and Commissioner Nelson will offer "Legislative Update: Policy Issues."

The Conference reconvenes Saturday in the Great Room with refreshments from 7 - 8 a.m. Sessions start at 8 a.m., continuing through 12:45 p.m.

8 - 9:30 a.m. - Session Two, "Hot Legal Topics," will be conducted by Elvia Garcia Donaldson, senior attorney with the Texas Association of School Boards.

9:30 - 10:15 a.m. - Session Three, includes two presentation choices:

"Contemporary Perspectives on Early Childhood Education," by Dr. Margaret Puckett, retired Professor of Education, Texas Wesleyan University and "Senate Bill 103," by Noemi Ochoa, Region I Education Specialist.

10:15 - 11:15 a.m. - Session Four, will feature a select panel of area principals discussing "Effective School Practices."

11:15 a.m. - 12:45 p.m. - Conference concludes with a Texas-style Bar-b-que luncheon. The closing session, "Educational Leadership: What Superintendents Expect of Principals," will be presented by Dr. Jesus H. Chavez, superintendent of the Harlingen Consolidated Independent School District.

Conference sessions are certified for Professional Development credit by TEA for administrators and school board members.

For additional information please contact Dr. Gonzalez at (956) 326-2430 or email to hgonzalez@tamiu.edu

University office hours are from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday-Friday.

Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Affairs and Information Services at pais@tamiu.edu