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Aspiring Principals Program helping develop new ECISD leaders

The program graduates in front of the program logo with two of the district's leadership team; no pictured Alexandria Dobbins
Aspiring Principals Program helping develop new ECISD leaders

Six leaders are new graduates of the highly acclaimed training program

Leadership development is a strategic priority for our school district. Among the efforts is a partnership through The Holdsworth Center’s Aspiring Principal Program. We are excited to introduce six more graduates of the leadership program:

  • Amanda Anderson, newly named principal at Ross Elementary
  • Mary Gorman, newly named principal at Bowie Middle School
  • Welton Blaylock, newly named principal at Milam Elementary
  • Alexandria Dobbins, New Tech Odessa Dean
  • Yvonne Asakawa, Principal Intern at Fly Elementary
  • Zealia Jenkins, Assistant Principal at San Jacinto Elementary

“I am proud of these six leaders for making the commitment to improving their leadership skills,” said ECISD Superintendent of Schools Dr. Keeley Boyer. “Cultivating quality educators is one of our school district’s priorities, and this partnership with The Holdsworth Center is one piece of our work to build a top-tier professional learning system.”

The Aspiring Principal Program is a yearlong commitment offering world-class preparation to leaders who seek to become a principal in the Permian Basin region of Texas and New Mexico in the next 1-3 years.

During their time in the program, aspiring principals gain hands-on experience by visiting schools across Texas led by excellent principals, then apply their learning to principal-level projects on their home campus. Each leader works with a dedicated coach who makes in-person visits and provides guidance and feedback to support improved performance. Learning sessions include simulations of real-world scenarios and opportunities for individual and group reflection.

Principals are one of the most influential school-based factors for student success, second only to teachers. Under effective principals, high-performing teachers stay longer. Strong principals also improve a school’s learning climate, especially in high-poverty schools. Yet districts struggle to find enough principals who are truly ready to lead.

The next group of ECISD leaders has already been named for the next round of The Holdsworth Center’s training, all of this possible because of the generous support of the Permian Strategic Partnership and others. Read the story here.