It’s the question shaping every Texas classroom, and the question educators rarely get to answer together: What makes a great school?
On Wednesday, July 1 at The Holdsworth Center in Austin, The Texas Tribune convened public school teachers, administrators and school leaders from around the state for a day built around that question and the realities shaping Texas schools today.
Recent legislative sessions have rewritten who teaches, what they teach, and how their work is measured. Schools are absorbing roles built for mental health, housing, and family services. Phones are out of classrooms, but technology’s harder questions are just beginning. And the decisions shaping Texas classrooms travel a long chain — one the Tribune symposium convened educators to better understand and shape.
The day’s panels and speakers included:
Recent changes to education policy and what they mean in the classroom
In the span of a few legislative sessions, Texas has rewritten who’s allowed to teach, what they teach, and how their work gets measured. What does this wave of changes add up to for the daily work of teaching, and is it building toward a coherent vision or pulling in different directions?
Speakers included Tricia Cave, lobbyist for ATPE and former secondary history educator at Pasadena ISD; Jonathan Feinstein, Texas state director at EdTrust; and Chris Mihealsick, secondary science educator and 2025 Teacher of the Year at Round Rock ISD. The panel was moderated by Jaden Edison, public education reporter at The Texas Tribune
When school is a safety net: The job beyond the job
Schools have absorbed roles that mental health, primary care, housing, food, immigration, and family services were built to handle, asking teachers to provide trauma response, crisis support, and care they were never trained for. How can schools ensure students get the support they need while positioning educators to focus on teaching and learning.
Speakers included Walter Jackson, superintendent at La Porte ISD; Stephanie Stoebe, elementary educator at Round Rock ISD and 2012 secondary teacher of the year; and Adriana Tamez, president/CEO and superintendent of schools at Tejano Center for Community Concerns and Raul Yzaguirre Schools for Success in Houston. The panel was moderated by Sneha Dey, education reporter at The Texas Tribune
The role of tech in the classroom
With phones out of the classroom, the harder question begins: when does technology elevate teaching, and when does it get in the way?
Speakers included Dani Boepple, 8th grade principles of human services educator at Mesquite ISD; Cynthia Hopkins, middle school science educator at Corpus Christi ISD; and Joe Siedlecki, chief impact officer at Amira Learning. The panel was moderated by Matthew Watkins, editor-in-chief at The Texas Tribune.
From the classroom to the Capitol: Governance, voice and the work of changing Texas schools
Texas schools are shaped by a long chain of decision-makers. Where does meaningful change actually happen, and how can educators build community relationships, communicate their school’s story and grow into impactful leadership?
Speakers included JoMeka Gray, kindergarten educator at Temple ISD and member of the State Board for Educator Certification; State Rep. Donna Howard, D-Austin; and Tom Maynard, member of the State Board of Education, District 10. The panel was moderated by Eva-Marie Ayala, education editor at The Texas Tribune.
CPE CREDIT: This Texas Tribune event is eligible for up to 4 hours of continuing professional education (CPE) credits through a partnership with the Association of Texas Professional Educators. Use this link to learn more.
TELL US WHAT MAKES A GREAT SCHOOL: The Texas Tribune and its partner newsrooms, Austin Current and Waco Bridge, are exploring the variety of factors that make a good school. We want to hear from Texas educators, parents and students about what they think of or look for in a “good school” and what experiences or ideas have shaped that perspective.
Share your perspective using this form or email community@texastribune.org.
Disclosure: Association of Texas Professional Educators has been a financial supporter of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune’s journalism. Find a complete list of them here.
