Pouring into Public Schools
The Austin Convention Center ballroom was packed with 2,500 middle and high school administrators for the Texas Association of Secondary School Principals (TASSP) Summer Workshop. The room was crackling with the energy that comes when educators gather in the summer to look toward the next school year. From the stage, a TASSP executive opened the workshop with prayer for the three days and for the year ahead. To wrap up the Summer Workshop, the incoming TASSP President, David Warren, quoted three scriptures and grounded his “why” in his faith in Christ.
What an amazing blessing to live in a state where public school administrators ground conferences in faith, hope, and love. As the closing keynote speaker, Dr. Jon Eckert, co-executive director of the BCSL, was able to build on these themes and encourage leaders to find the joy that comes through struggle when we help others become more of who they were created to be.
This summer, the Baylor Center for School Leadership (BCSL) engaged with public school administrators and teachers all over Texas. “We want to serve our Texas schools well, and through them, serve each student well,” Eckert said. “While we also serve the 4.7 million students in private schools, 49.6 million students attend public elementary and secondary schools. Our public schools are partners in so much of the work that we do, and this is where we need to be if we want to catalyze leadership that supports each student.”
The BCSL strives to be the most effective Christian leadership catalyst for educators worldwide. That vision starts with our neighbors and colleagues in Central Texas.
Dr. Bobby Ott, superintendent of Temple ISD and 2022 Texas Superintendent of the Year, said he asked Eckert to speak about candid feedback as well as creating an environment of joy and enthusiasm.
“It was important to bring Dr. Eckert in because this year’s theme was ‘Empowering Others,’ which is also part of the Temple ISD leadership definition,” Ott said. “It was important to intersect all TISD administrators with Dr. Eckert’s message around joy, and the responsibility and strategies administrators can deploy to facilitate this for those they serve.”
In addition to Temple ISD, Eckert provided professional learning and gave convocation messages in Lorena, Riesel, and Robinson ISDs.
Colette Pledger, assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction at Robinson ISD, said it was important for her team to hear Eckert speak about the difference between joy and happiness, and how we engage each student.
“We appreciated the way in which he was able to share data to support his topic that related directly to what we are seeing in students and staff,” Pledger said. “We have enjoyed having Dr. Eckert and the Baylor Center for School Leadership close to continually benefit from their research, sharing best practices, and encouragement.”
Pledger added that she and her team have used Eckert’s books during a book study over the past two summers.
“The connection and availability of the BCSL make it a great benefit for our district,” Pledger said.
Joe Kucera, superintendent of Lorena ISD, said he invited the Dr. Eckert to speak to his district because the Culture of Joy message is what teachers need to hear.
“There is so much negativity around teaching right now in the media,” Kucera said. “Teachers are leaving the profession and are burned out. Dr. Eckert’s message is inspiring as well as motivating! He helps our staff focus on the positives and reminds teachers why they entered the profession by highlighting the joy in the learning process.”
Kucera noted that his favorite quote from Eckert is this: “There is joy in the ability to struggle well. Learning and growing is a challenge and struggling is part of the process.”
Public school partners inform the work of the BCSL and Baylor’s Department of Educational Leadership. In 2024, the BCSL, Dr. Eckert, and Dr. Bill Sterrett hosted panels and recorded interviews for classes, conferences, and podcasts that have included administrators from Aldine, Austin, Belton, China Spring, Crowley, Frisco, Keller, Killeen, LaVega, Lorena, Midway, Robinson, Temple, and Waco ISDs, along with YES Prep in Houston. Their expertise is vital to the work of the BCSL and Baylor’s Department of Educational Leadership.
When educators ground their work in the hope and truth that comes from walking alongside others as they become more of who they are created to be, joy is sure to follow. The BCSL is so grateful for the public school teachers and administrators who lead with so much joy.
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