doyle valdez and the social justice award - Department of ...

Welcome to1THE POWER OFThe 5 th AnnualA Call For Social Justiceand presentation of theDoyle Valdez Social Justice AwardWednesday, May 30, 2007Sponsored byThe University of Texas at Austin Principalship Program

1THE POWER OF

WELCOME to “The Power of One”Thank you for attending the 5 th Annual A Call for Social Justice. On behalf of the entire UT PrincipalshipProgram, we are delighted that you are here. At The University of Texas at Austin (UT) PrincipalshipProgram, we don’t just talk about the importance of social justice – it is a pillar and founding principle of ourentire program. Social justice doesn’t happen by accident – it is taught, it is a choice, it is an awareness, it is anaction. It is reaching out to give all children opportunity and a reason to believe that they are special and canaccomplish whatever they desire.Although the concept of social justice is embedded across the curriculum, the UT Principalship Program deemsthis notion so important that the first two semesters of the program open and close with days devoted to opendialogue on social justice. We appreciate your presence and contributions today as we continue to explore themeaning, importance, and practice of social justice in our educational system.We also hope that each of you leaves with renewed interest in, hope for, and a commitment to implementingsocial justice daily in your own lives. Whether in the classroom or in your neighborhood, living the principlesof social justice makes our world a better place.If I can be of assistance to you in any way after our event today, please do not hesitate to contact me or thePrincipalship Program at info@utprincipalship.org.Thank you again for being here and making this annual event something special and memorable!Best wishes,Juanita GarciaDirector“Each time a person stands up for an idea, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikesout against injustice, (s)he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each otherfrom a million different centers of energy and daring, those ripples build a current thatcan sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance.”— Robert F. Kennedy1

The Power of OneWelcomeJuanita Garcia, DirectorIntroduction of 2005, 2006 & 2007 Principalship Cohort StudentsJuanita Garcia“The Power of One”Introduction of Doyle ValdezGregory J. Vincent“Social Justice: Making it Real for All Children”Doyle Valdez, 2006 Social Justice Award RecipientAnnouncement of Recipients for the 2007 Doyle Valdez Scholarships and2007 Central Texas Leadership Development Alliance ScholarshipsDoyle Valdez and Juanita GarciaRecognition of Selection Committee MembersJuanita GarciaRecognition of 2007 Nominees for the Doyle Valdez Social Justice Award &Presentation of the 2007 Social Justice Leader of Promise AwardJuanita GarciaPresentation of the 2007 Doyle Valdez Social Justice AwardGregory J. Vincent & Pascal D. Forgione“The Power of One Can Lead to the Power of All”Bishop John McCarthy, EmeritusInvitation for DialogueJuanita GarciaBreak“Why is Social Justice so Critical to Education?”Panel moderated by Kevin M. FosterPanelists:Charles Dupre, Edmund T. Gordon, Doyle Valdez & Angela Valenzuela2

DOYLE VALDEZ AND THE SOCIAL JUSTICE AWARDWhen the Principalship Program began its annual A Call ForSocial Justice event five years ago – and even before then, when we wereconceptualizing the role that social justice would play in our program –we never imagined that we would name an award after one person.Then we heard the story of Doyle Valdez.“Work hard, be honest, and everything will be alright,” advised DoyleValdez’s mother when he was young. Doyle has been guided by thesewords throughout his life. He credits his family and a special teacher,Ms. Frances Allen, with his personal growth as well as his developmentas a business and civic leader.A native of Austin, Texas, Doyle served a total of eight years on theAustin Independent School District Board of Trustees. Elected initiallyas Vice President in 1998, he was elected to an at-large position in 2002 and served as school board President in both 2002 and 2004.Doyle’s leadership guided the search for and subsequent hiring of Superintendent Dr. Pat Forgione, supported stabilization of the Boardof Trustees, and maintained a strong bond rating through the wise management of limited financial resources.Through his tireless dedication and compassion, Doyle invested in equity and excellence for all children. As a result of his leadership, thenumber of district minority and low-income students enrolled in college level coursework has increased. In 2005, through the spiritedefforts of teachers and principals, Austin’s fourth and eighth grade students outscored those in other U.S. school districts on the NationalAssessment of Educational Progress measurement (NAEP).Last year, Doyle received the Social Justice Award because he was a supreme example of what one could accomplish with perseverance,responsibility, creativity, determination, and caring. He didn’t just practice social justice; it was the principle upon which he built all of hisprofessional and personal efforts. His extraordinary accomplishments inspired us and prompted us to rename the award, establishing anew level of accountability to the role that social justice plays in our lives.So this day marks a new tradition in A Call for Social Justice: the creation of the Doyle Valdez Social Justice Award, which will be awardedannually. By naming the award after him, we are honoring his legacy, which continues to positively influence our region and state.Doyle has served his students, peers, school, district, community, and state in exceptional ways. Thank you, Doyle, for all that you haveaccomplished on behalf of our school children and community. We are grateful for your leadership and continued program support.“Social justice to me means working for the common good of education for all children,especially children of poverty, and being a spokesperson and advocate for them.”– Doyle Valdez3

Congratulations to Our Honoree, the Recipient of the2007 Doyle Valdez Social Justice AwardBishop John McCarthy, EmeritusAustin DioceseCongratulations to Bishop John McCarthy, our 2007Doyle Valdez Social Justice Award honoree. His distinguishedcareer is marked with a clear and long-standingcommitment to equal opportunity for all children.Bishop McCarthy graduated from St. Thomas High Schoolin Houston and received his bachelor’s degree from theUniversity of St. Thomas in Houston in 1956. He wasordained to the priesthood on May 25, 1956.Bishop McCarthy’s career advanced steadily. He receivedhis master’s degree in theology from the University of St.Thomas in Houston in 1979 and was ordained to the officeof Bishop on March 14, 1979. He was installed as Bishop ofthe Austin Diocese on February 26, 1986. Bishop McCarthyheaded the Austin Diocese from that date until his retirementin January 2001.While Bishop McCarthy has been known for many thingsduring his career, including overseeing the Austin Dioceseduring a tremendous period of growth, he is perhaps bestknown for his social outreach and developing unique programsto serve the community. Under his guidance in theAustin Diocese, many parishes developed full fledged socialministry outreach programs, and a diocesan office for ParishSocial Ministry was established in 1991.In 1990 Bishop McCarthy was instrumental in developingthe Diocesan Law Project. These twice-a-week clinics heldat middle schools provide legal services to lower-incomefamilies in Central Texas. Attorneys, paralegals, andSpanish interpreters all volunteer to meet with clients whohave a variety of civil legal problems. The law projectworks in conjunction with Volunteer Legal Services andTexas Rural Aid. “Even inretirement, he works withlawyers to support the legalclinic he founded,” saidJohn Blazier, managingdirector of Blazier,Christensen, Bigelow, andVirr, P.C. “BishopMcCarthy has been a championfor children and familiesthat need legal or medicalservices.”Upon his retirement from the Austin Diocese, BishopMcCarthy continued his work in social causes, includingpoverty, education, and preventing child abuse. In 2003-2004,he served as Presiding Chair of Austin ISD’s CommunitySafety Task Force. Many of the recommendations of the TaskForce were included in the school district’s 2004 school bondproposition to improve safety and security issues for students,with improvements totaling more than $20 million. His leadershipwith the AISD Safety Task Force had a profound andpositive impact on AISD’s 82,000 students.Another significant education enhancement advocated byBishop McCarthy was the recommendation of the Safety TaskForce to create a district-wide character education curriculumin AISD. In August 2005 the Austin Board of Trustees agreedthat the district needed to be very explicit about values andcharacter traits that our public school students must develop.The AISD Character Education Initiative was designed tomake sure that primary traits of good character are recognized,discussed, and taught in Austin’s public schools.4

“As a public official, I seek the guidance of strong and wiseleaders in our community,” said Pascal D. Forgione, Jr.,Superintendent of the AISD. “I have found BishopMcCarthy to be a supportive and critical friend who hashelped me to be a better leader for public education. He isecumenical in so many ways and one of the finest men Ihave been fortunate to work with and call a friend ofpublic schools.”Today, it is our distinct pleasure to honor Bishop JohnMcCarthy with the 2007 Doyle Valdez Social Justice Award.We recognize and celebrate his life-long commitment to theprinciples of social justice and the leadership he has providedin so many ways over his distinguished career and life.Congratulations to Our Honoree, the Recipient of the2007 Social Justice Leader of Promise AwardAnabel Garza, PrincipalInternational High School, AISDCongratulations to Anabel Garza, our 2007 SocialJustice Leader of Promise. Ms. Garza has implementedinnovative, outstanding programs at International HighSchool that have made a significant difference in her students’lives.Ms. Garza left Mendez Middle School to join InternationalHigh School (IHS) in 2004 as an administrator; she was promotedto principal this year. In the short time she hasworked at IHS, she has almost single-handedly built theschool into a great place for learning for Austin ISD’s recentimmigrants. Taking an idea, which began as just a concepton paper a few years ago, Ms. Garza has built a model programthat responds to English language learners in arespectful and meaningful way. The students at IHS aremaking significant progress in so many ways, and Ms.Garza’s leadership is the primary reason why success forthese students has been so profound and wide-spread.Ms. Garza teaches her students and staff to respect diversityand fairness, and encourages an appreciation for hard workand effort. People who observe her programs and enthusiasmfor each and every student’s success come away inspiredby her efforts to help the poorest, most needy, and underserved children in the district.Ms. Garza consistentlymodels the behavior shewants to instill in her studentsby being inclusive,respectful, and kind, while atthe same time expectingeffort from everyone to makeIHS and the world beyond abetter place.“Anabel is a hard workerand fights for what she believes. She is humble and unassuming,but on the inside, she is very determined,” said DaleFowler, Administrative Supervisor, AISD, and Ms. Garza’scolleague. “It (IHS) is a safe place, a place of achievement,and when I heard some of her students talking about theirexperiences at IHS and how much they had grown, I wasvery impressed.”Today it is our honor to present Ms. Anabel Garza with the2007 Social Justice Leader of Promise award. We recognize herefforts, leadership, and unwavering dedication to helping eachstudent at International High School reach his/her potential.5

SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SELECTION COMMITTEEMany programs would not exist or thrive without volunteers, and we were fortunate this year to have a group of exceptional individualsgive of their time to review nominations and choose our honoree. We wish to express our deep appreciation to the members of theselection committee:THE 2007 SELECTION COMMITTEE (in alphabetical order)Sylvia Acevedo, Owner, CommuniCardsLisa Bohanon, Instructional Coach, Sims Elementary, 2006 CohortNan Clayton, Former Austin Independent School District Board MemberJohn Fitzpatrick, Executive Director, Texas High School ProjectRick Fowler, Assistant Principal Intern, Akins High School, 2006 CohortGus Garcia, Former Austin Mayor and Former Austin Independent School District Board MemberNinfa Gonzales, Assistant Principal, Harris Elementary, 2006 CohortRudy Montoya, Austin Independent School District Board MemberDoyle Valdez, Owner, Valco Resource Management, Inc. & Former Austin Independent School District Board MemberNOMINEES FOR THE 2007 DOYLE VALDEZ SOCIAL JUSTICE AWARDThe nominations we received were heartwarming, and we were thrilled to see so many people putting social justice into action. Eachnominee is special, and each personal story inspiring. Our selection committee had a difficult time choosing one honoree, and weappreciate the thought they put into the selection process. We thank all our nominees for their hard work and applaud the efforts theymake every day to promote social justice.Charles AkinsScott BaltisbergerLinda DensonMartha GarciaRichard GarzaBlanca Tapia LeahyLeroy NellisJill RamirezMelvin WaxlerA CALL FOR COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPSThe Principalship Program does not operate in isolation; our success is due to the collaborative work we accomplish with teachers,administrators, students, parents, professionals, businesses, and other individuals and institutions in the surrounding communities. Ourcommunity partnerships strengthen the program and provide unique opportunities for our students to learn and thrive. If you wouldlike to find out more about how to work with our program, please e-mail Director Juanita Garcia at jgarcia@mail.utexas.edu.DOYLE VALDEZ SOCIAL JUSTICE SCHOLARSHIP FUNDThis scholarship was established this year to promote social justice in education through campus leadership development. To be eligible,applicants must be first-year students enrolled in the Principalship Program at the University of Texas at Austin who have experiencewith high-needs campuses and have demonstrated a commitment to the tenets of social justice. Special consideration is given to membersof underrepresented populations and first generation college graduates. In the future, we hope to expand this legacy of giving. If you areinterested in contributing to this scholarship fund, please contact Director Juanita Garcia at jgarcia@mail.utexas.edu.6

THE PRINCIPALSHIP PROGRAMThe Program that Transforms Educators into Insightful LeadersOur nationally ranked program transforms educators into insightful, thriving school leaders who want to make schools successful for allchildren, regardless of student backgrounds or differences. Guided by two main principles, our program fosters a deep commitment to socialjustice and equitable schooling for all students and an emphasis on the role of school principals as instructional leaders who are highlyinvolved in organizing and developing schools focused on effective teaching and learning. Our students and graduates from across the countryhold great promise as educational leaders for both our state and nation, and we are proud of the role our program plays in preparingthem for the future. To learn more about the Principalship Program, visit www.utprincipalship.org.OUR PRINCIPALSHIP PROGRAM COHORTSCongratulations to our 2005 cohort members for completing the program. This distinguished group has accomplished a great deal, asindividuals and as part of the cohort, and we wish them the best as they move on to create opportunity and foster achievement for everychild in their charge.2005 Graduating students:Lisa Bonilla Patsy Hickey Ricardo SolizRandy Brown Jennifer Martinez Dedra StandishStacia Crescenzi Kwabena Mensah Rebekah Van RynMonica Evans Reba Mussey Sara WilliamsSean Fox Yolanda Reyes Kimberly WilsonCheryl Hester Elva Yvette Soliz Kimberly Winters2006 continuing students:Lisa Bohanon Cameron MacPherson Heather SchollTeresa Cavazos Deanna McParland Trent SharpRick Fowler Carrie Meyers Ryan SmithLauren Gleason Gloria Perez Jamie StoneNinfa Gonzales2007 students entering this year:Lalla Beachum Wendy Mills Joshua SilbermanNicole Bevilacqua Crystal Mitchell Laurie SmithBrendan Hale Kristin Pryor Samuel SotoRyan Hopkins Pedro Sanchez Shenique SpearsJodi Leckbee Dina Schaefer Nicole Whetstone7

PanelistsKevin M. Foster, Ph.D.Kevin M. Foster, an Assistant Professor in Curriculum andInstruction, received his B.A. from The College of William andMary, and his M.A. and Ph.D. from The University of Texas,Austin. He is an educational anthropologist whose work includesthree interrelated interests. First, he looks at the social, cultural,and structural factors affecting African American students’ educationaloutcomes. Second, he looks at the intersection of race andsports in educational settings. Third, he considers the potentialand actual impact of the black racial uplift tradition amongAfrican American students. His ultimate goals are: 1) to identifythe norms and values that facilitate student success as well as thestructural barriers that hinder success; and 2) to turn those findingsinto concrete programs and policies that positively impact students’educational attainment.Edmund T. Gordon, Ph.D.Edmund T. Gordon received his Ph.D. from Stanford. He isan Associate Professor in the Department of Anthropology andDirector of the Center for African and African American Studies.Dr. Gordon conducts research in the areas of economic anthropology,maritime anthropology, ethnicity and social stratification, thecultural politics of Black masculinity, and the interaction betweencultural, economic, and political phenomena in the AfricanDiaspora in the Americas and the Caribbean.Angela Valenzuela, Ph.D.Angela Valenzuela is a Stanford University graduate andan Associate Professor in the Departments of EducationalAdministration and Curriculum and Instruction. Her previousteaching positions were in sociology at Rice University in Houston,Texas, as well as a Visiting Scholar at the Center for MexicanAmerican Studies at the University of Houston. Dr. Valenzuelahas research and teaching interests in the sociology of education,race and ethnicity in schools, urban education reform, and educationalpolicy. She is the author of Subtractive Schooling: U.S.Mexican Youth and the Politics of Caring, winner of both the 2000American Educational Research Association Outstanding BookAward and the 2001 Critics’ Choice Award from the AmericanEducational Studies Association.Charles DupreCharles Dupre was named Pflugerville ISD Superintendent ofSchools on December 12, 2006, after serving as ActingSuperintendent since June 2006. Dupre came to Pflugerville asDeputy Superintendent in February 2006 from Fort Bend ISD,where he served as Associate Superintendent from 2000 to 2006.He was also the district’s Budget Officer from 1997 to 2000 andserved as Internal Auditor from 1995 to 1997. Prior to his servicein Fort Bend ISD, Dupre worked in the public accounting andenergy industries from 1984 to 1995. Born in Casablanca,Morocco, Dupre was raised near Springfield, Missouri. Hereceived his BBA with a major in Accounting from HardingUniversity in Searcy, Arkansas, and Master’s Degree inEducational Administration from the University of Houston.Dupre is a Certified Public Accountant and holds the RTSBAcertification (Registered Texas School Business Administrator).Doyle ValdezDoyle Valdez is the recipient of the Principalship Program’s 2006Social Justice Award. Valdez was first elected to the AustinIndependent School District Board of Trustees in May 1998 as vicepresident. He was then elected to an at-large position in 2002 andserved as school board president in both 2002 and 2004. Valdez is agraduate of Austin's Reagan High School and St. Edward'sUniversity, with a degree in finance. He is currently a businessowner in Austin. For more information please refer to page three,“Doyle Valdez and the Social Justice Award.”8

1THE POWER OFOne person, one chance, one change.One change, one result, one success.One success, one life enriched, one ripple.One ripple, one wave, one surgeof equal opportunity for all.The University of Texas at AustinDepartment of Educational Administration1 University Station D5400Austin, Texas 78712-0374512-414-3847 www.utprincipalship.org