PORT ISABEL — Early this month, the Texas Association of School Boards’ (TASB) held its kickoff session for its class of 2021 Leadership TASB program.
Point Isabel ISD School Board President Jimmy Vela, along with 26 other school board members from across Texas participated in the session, which was held virtually.
“The session was great. We were sad that we weren’t able to meet in-person, but considering what’s going on, we at least got to meet through Zoom,” Vela said. “All of us got to get to know more about each other. It was a great icebreaker event.”
The group was selected by TASB to participate in a year-long leadership study program.
According to a press release from TASB, the trustees represent school districts of all sizes with student populations of 1,200 to 110,000, and reflect a similar range of property wealth.
Debra Fine, a motivational speaker and author of “The Fine Art of Small Talk,” was the featured speaker of the session.
“We had an amazing speaker who spoke to us about communication, how to communicate and what kind of communicator we are,” Vela said. “She did an awesome job.”
According to the press release, board members also received training at convention sessions and attended the TASB Delegate Assembly, which is the association’s annual business meeting.
Other Leadership TASB sessions are scheduled for November, February, April and June.
“Each session has a unique theme that builds on the previous session and features nationally recognized experts in the fields of leadership development and education,” the press release states. “Teams also work throughout the year on extended learning assignments between meetings.”
Participants who complete all required elements of the study will graduate next year and will earn a “Master Trustee” status, which is the highest designation recognized by TASB.
Leadership TASB was created in 1993 and now has more than 900 graduates.
