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    Principal Melinda Gardner

Walnut Springs Elementary Principal Melinda Gardner selected for Harvard Institute

Walnut Springs Elementary Principal Melinda Gardner is among 62 school leaders from across Texas who have been selected as the 2020 cohort of educators to attend summer institutes at the Principals’ Center at the Harvard Graduate School of Education sponsored by the Raise Your Hand Texas Foundation, a non-profit organization working to strengthen public education in Texas.

Ms. Gardner just completed her first year in Dripping Springs ISD following 14 years in various positions in Bastrop ISD, including principal at Lost Pines Elementary. She will be eligible to attend one of two institutes focused on leadership, then will join the Raise Your Hand Texas Regional Leadership Collaborative, which connects alumni in regional groups who visit each other’s campuses, conduct instructional rounds, share best practices, and problem-solve on current issues in education. Through these groups, principals are empowered to work together to create change at the campus and district levels.

The members of the cohort represent 43 school districts and two charter schools. They join the nearly 1,200 educators sponsored by the Foundation to attend training at Harvard through the Raising School Leaders program, an initiative designed to develop stronger school leaders who will enhance the quality of education across Texas.

In years past, the cohort traveled to Harvard during the summer to participate in one of the week-long institutes. However due to COVID-19, this year’s cohort is invited to participate in an optional online course facilitated by Harvard this summer. The cohort also will meet virtually each month to discuss their problem of practice, attend the 2021 Raise Your Hand Texas Leadership Symposium, and then head to Harvard next summer to participate in their selected institute.

For every participant in the Harvard Institutes, the Foundation covers all expenses for the attendees including tuition, travel, and hotel – investing on average about $9,200 per attendee, for a total of about $1 million in sponsorships for 2019, and more than $9 million since the program’s inception.

During the summer Harvard Institutes, attendees will participate in weeklong workshops on leadership development, led by Harvard faculty and other national and international experts. Each program is designed to inspire, challenge, and empower school leaders to bring lasting impact to their campuses and communities, the entire state of Texas, and beyond.

Dripping Springs Century-News

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Dripping Springs, Texas 78620

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