Accelerating Texas K12 Education: TASA: Putting the Public Back into Public Education

With the education sector completely disrupted from the pandemic, school administration and students alike are feeling anxiety and pressure from the uncertainty and instability of the world. What does the ‘new normal’ look like for educating students? How are schools handling staff burnout? Answering these questions and more on Accelerating Texas K12 Education is Kevin Brown, executive director of Texas Association of School Administration (TASA).

TASA, an organization with a mission to develop educational leaders and support students, saw an opportunity to level up during the pandemic. While COVID-19 brought many challenges and hardships, Brown noted that there is a silver lining, like the added flexibility; a switch to social and emotional wellbeing; rapid technology integration and adaptation; and tailoring student learning to the individual.

“Maybe this is the shot in the arm that we needed in terms of getting schools to be transformation-thinking and really personalizing for individual students throughout our country,” Brown explained.

Unlike reforming schools, like in the early 1900s when schools were painstakingly standardized everything, 21st century learning will involve transforming schools that focuses on the individual and initiatives like implementing technology, being dynamic and listening to students. Additionally, administrators are realizing the significant importance of improving mental health, for both staff and students.

According to Brown, these changes are ambitious and will require a strategic overhaul of the learning experience. However, the culture shift that will result from it will undoubtedly increase the educational experience for all.

“I’ve never been prouder … this nation continued to move forward because of teachers in classrooms, bus drivers, tech specialists, principals, superintendents and school boards who every day, in the midst of crisis, were able to keep things going and take care of everyone,” Brown said. Educators were on the front line, and the world can’t forget that.