By the Learning Counsel

The stars at night, are big and bright,
Deep in the heart of Texas,
The prairie sky is wide and high,
Deep in the heart of Texas.
The sage in bloom is like perfume,
Deep in the heart of Texas,
Reminds me of, the one I love,
Deep in the heart of Texas.

–Bing Crosby, Deep in the Heart of Texas

Folks in Texas have a certain way of doing things. They have a love of country, and an even deeper love of state. There is a certain pride in Texas, a self-sufficiency that screams, “We can and we will.” In a state that gave us Red Adair, Steven Fuller Austin, Buddy Holly, Howard Hughes, George Jones, Janis Joplin, Babe Didrikson and Bessie Coleman, one would expect a certain amount of brash independence in their education leaders.

So, when the Learning Counsel needed a bit of inspiration, it was only natural that we headed to the Lonestar State, with a note on the door that read, “Ya’ll can find me down in San Antone.” Of course, it just so happens that we had our Digital Transition Discussion event scheduled at the Fort Sam Houston ISD in San Antonio, so inspiration came in bunches!

One of the most popular activities at our Digital Transition Discussion events is the Top Educators Panel. It is an opportunity for local leaders to come together, answer questions and explain their strategy, successes and challenges in their own digital transition journeys.

Dr. Judith Solis serves as Assistant Superintendent at San Antonio ISD and has gained national prominence for her work guiding San Antonio through its digital transformation. When asked how she viewed technology transforming her district into an experience-based environment, Solis said, “What excites me is we’re really paying attention to the needs of the students. It’s not about the adults, but in doing so you need to pay attention to the adults. Sometimes, the hardest people to get engaged in that game are the adults. As member of a very transformational and innovative district, we’re really thinking out of the box on how we can reach all kids and all learners. We have a trends department that helps us tremendously. We have a chief technology officer that is amazing.

Dr. Karla Burkholder, Director of Technology at Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City ISD said, “As far education transforming into an experience-based environment, I always tell teachers when I’m talking to them, I’m the technology director, but for me, it’s never about the technology. It’s always about the student. But the beauty of it is that it is the technology that enables. The transformation is the technology that allows them to be creative, to make and share, and make connections around the world. That’s the role. I don’t see technology as being the end-all. Teachers matter. They will always matter. But it’s the exciting things that technology enables that will help the transformation.

Dr. Roland Rios is the Director of Technology at Fort Sam Houston ISD. He said, “The thing that excites me most about how technology is transforming education, I refer to it as allowing us to tear down walls. In the old days, there were two places people got education, at school and the church. Now you can get education from anywhere. What the technology is allowing us to do is to let teachers take these kids outside the classroom without ever leaving the classroom. It’s allowing us to bring in outside experts into the classroom without ever having them step foot into the classroom. It’s opening up these wonderful doors of opportunity for our kids that weren’t available before or if they were available, it took a lot of work.

Watch the Video for the Complete Story

Each Panelist went on to discuss the most important work his or her district is doing, and their answers will surprise you. Suffice it to say innovation is alive and well in the state of Texas. Like the rest of the country, the districts around San Antonia face challenges. They experience barriers in their transformation to modernize education and harness technology to catalyze the success of their learners. But the way they face those barriers, blending compassion with true grit and imagination, is sure to inspire you. Watch the video. You’ll find their inspiration is contagious, and their strategies will work well in your own school or district. These educators are stars, big and bright, serving their kids deep in the heart of Texas.