“The classroom educators for which the policies are directly impacting are frequently a second thought,” Marisa B. Pérez-Díaz said to applause. “That cannot happen anymore.' Story by broocrum.
Panelists Marisa B. Pérez-Díaz, from left, State Board of Education District 3 representative; Ericka Olivarez, CAST Teach High School principal; Jordana Barton-García of Barton-García Advisors; and Inga Cotton, founder and executive director of San Antonio Charter Moms, discuss the"Post Pandemic Challenges Facing Bexar County Public School Leaders." The panel was moderated by Robert Rivard, co-founder of the San Antonio Report .
One of the greatest challenges public school leaders face is recruiting the next generation of teachers, while school districts “We need to really put our listening ears on and listen to what teachers and students are saying about school systems. We need to listen and then act,” she said. “We need to stop thinking we have the solution but really hear from our educators, and yes, that takes time. That’s an investment, but we need to spend that time hearing what they have to say about how we need to change and reinvent schooling.
Olivarez agreed, saying that staff and students shouldn’t shy away from those political conversations but engage in them. She wants students to see the political side of education careers and show them what it’s like to work in the state Capitol and at the Texas Education Agency.