Leading with Joy: Georgetown ISD Champions Gritty Optimism in Education
Over 40 educational leaders from across Georgetown ISD gathered at the Future Ready Complex in Georgetown, TX to celebrate the successes of the school year and look ahead to continue building a culture that emphasizes student-centered excellence. Superintendent Dr. Devin Padavil shared how effective leadership across the district focuses on the joy that comes from the hard work of educators serving students. This leadership focus ensures that student flourishing remains at the center of Georgetown ISD’s mission.
Dr. Jon Eckert, Executive Director for the Baylor Center of School Leadership (BSCL), shared a message that encouraged Georgetown ISD educators to focus on joy, flourishing, and gritty optimism that provides transformative learning experiences for students. Rebecca Lambert, principal of San Gabriel Elementary, shared that “students find joy in instant gratification… parents find joy in success of their student… [and] educators find joy in seeing students overcoming struggle in adversity”. This has led to educational leaders focusing on improving opportunities in the classroom to build experiences where students overcome challenging tasks that can lead to a mindset of gritty optimism.
Whether overcoming technology issues or supporting strategic shifts in grading practices, Georgetown ISD’s educational leaders shared how challenges became sources of joy through shared ownership and collaboration among students, parents, teachers, and staff across the district. Sharing these moments allowed each educational leader to reflect on how the toughest educational challenges have led to solutions that required gritty optimism and strong relationships across the educational community.
Georgetown ISD’s leadership has created intentional space to celebrate the joy from engaging in meaningful, challenging work alongside colleagues. Dr. Jennifer Hinson, principal of Williams Elementary, shared how a focus on building a strong, positive school culture has provided the momentum of “seeing the goodness in challenges”. She emphasized how working together provides the supportive environment that drives student academic success.
Georgetown ISD has done tremendous work to create environments where both students and educators can flourish. BCSL exists to partner with educational leaders, like those at Georgetown ISD, by offering professional learning opportunities and research opportunities. By celebrating excellence happening on each campus, the Georgetown ISD exemplifies how gritty optimism and authentic joy can lead to transformative learning experiences that lead to the flourishing of each student.
Join us BCSL’s next professional learning event, Culture of Joy! It will be held on Friday, September 26th from 10-2 on Baylor’s campus.
Interested in finding out more about the feedback, engagement, and well-being of your students? BCSL offers a survey that provides student feedback on ways to improve the way that educators interact with students to provide opportunities for development of gritty optimism.