The Power <strong>of</strong> OneWelcomeJuanita Garcia, DirectorIntroduction <strong>of</strong> 2005, 2006 & 2007 Principalship Cohort StudentsJuanita Garcia“The Power <strong>of</strong> One”Introduction <strong>of</strong> Doyle ValdezGregory J. Vincent“Social Justice: Making it Real for All Children”Doyle Valdez, 2006 Social Justice Award RecipientAnnouncement <strong>of</strong> Recipients for <strong>the</strong> 2007 Doyle Valdez Scholarships <strong>and</strong>2007 Central Texas Leadership Development Alliance ScholarshipsDoyle Valdez <strong>and</strong> Juanita GarciaRecognition <strong>of</strong> Selection Committee MembersJuanita GarciaRecognition <strong>of</strong> 2007 Nominees for <strong>the</strong> Doyle Valdez Social Justice Award &Presentation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> 2007 Social Justice Leader <strong>of</strong> Promise AwardJuanita GarciaPresentation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> 2007 Doyle Valdez Social Justice AwardGregory J. Vincent & Pascal D. Forgione“The Power <strong>of</strong> One Can Lead to <strong>the</strong> Power <strong>of</strong> 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 <strong>the</strong> Principalship Program began its annual A Call ForSocial Justice event five years ago – <strong>and</strong> even before <strong>the</strong>n, when we wereconceptualizing <strong>the</strong> role that <strong>social</strong> <strong>justice</strong> would play in our program –we never imagined that we would name an <strong>award</strong> after one person.Then we heard <strong>the</strong> story <strong>of</strong> Doyle Valdez.“Work hard, be honest, <strong>and</strong> everything will be alright,” advised DoyleValdez’s mo<strong>the</strong>r when he was young. Doyle has been guided by <strong>the</strong>sewords throughout his life. He credits his family <strong>and</strong> a special teacher,Ms. Frances Allen, with his personal growth as well as his developmentas a business <strong>and</strong> civic leader.A native <strong>of</strong> Austin, Texas, Doyle served a total <strong>of</strong> eight years on <strong>the</strong>Austin Independent School District Board <strong>of</strong> Trustees. Elected initiallyas Vice President in 1998, he was elected to an at-large position in 2002 <strong>and</strong> served as school board President in both 2002 <strong>and</strong> 2004.Doyle’s leadership guided <strong>the</strong> search for <strong>and</strong> subsequent hiring <strong>of</strong> Superintendent Dr. Pat Forgione, supported stabilization <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Board<strong>of</strong> Trustees, <strong>and</strong> maintained a strong bond rating through <strong>the</strong> wise management <strong>of</strong> limited financial resources.Through his tireless dedication <strong>and</strong> compassion, Doyle invested in equity <strong>and</strong> excellence for all children. As a result <strong>of</strong> his leadership, <strong>the</strong>number <strong>of</strong> district minority <strong>and</strong> low-income students enrolled in college level coursework has increased. In 2005, through <strong>the</strong> spiritedefforts <strong>of</strong> teachers <strong>and</strong> principals, Austin’s fourth <strong>and</strong> eighth grade students outscored those in o<strong>the</strong>r U.S. school districts on <strong>the</strong> NationalAssessment <strong>of</strong> Educational Progress measurement (NAEP).Last year, Doyle received <strong>the</strong> Social Justice Award because he was a supreme example <strong>of</strong> what one could accomplish with perseverance,responsibility, creativity, determination, <strong>and</strong> caring. He didn’t just practice <strong>social</strong> <strong>justice</strong>; it was <strong>the</strong> principle upon which he built all <strong>of</strong> hispr<strong>of</strong>essional <strong>and</strong> personal efforts. His extraordinary accomplishments inspired us <strong>and</strong> prompted us to rename <strong>the</strong> <strong>award</strong>, establishing anew level <strong>of</strong> accountability to <strong>the</strong> role that <strong>social</strong> <strong>justice</strong> plays in our lives.So this day marks a new tradition in A Call for Social Justice: <strong>the</strong> creation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Doyle Valdez Social Justice Award, which will be <strong>award</strong>edannually. By naming <strong>the</strong> <strong>award</strong> after him, we are honoring his legacy, which continues to positively influence our region <strong>and</strong> state.Doyle has served his students, peers, school, district, community, <strong>and</strong> state in exceptional ways. Thank you, Doyle, for all that you haveaccomplished on behalf <strong>of</strong> our school children <strong>and</strong> community. We are grateful for your leadership <strong>and</strong> continued program support.“Social <strong>justice</strong> to me means working for <strong>the</strong> common good <strong>of</strong> education for all children,especially children <strong>of</strong> poverty, <strong>and</strong> being a spokesperson <strong>and</strong> advocate for <strong>the</strong>m.”– Doyle Valdez3
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