Greg Junek: Sunday Briefing

Workforce Solutions East Texas Board sponsored 22 delegates to the 16th Annual Model Schools Conference June 22-25 in Orlando, Fla.

The conference brings together thousands of school administrators, teachers and business leaders each year to discuss challenges and solutions in education. This year, the conference showcased student engagement strategies, instructional practices, leadership approaches and many other topics.

About 8,500 people attended the event. Workforce Board members who attended included Mary Berry, Dorothy Franks, Pete Lamothe and Beverly Hodges, Workforce Solutions East Texas board staff.

Other area attendees included Otis Amy, Henderson High School principal; Cindy Anderson, Henderson Middle School assistant principal; David Ledkins, Hawkins Middle School principal; Andrea Mayo, Longview Independent School District assistant superintendent; and Mike Moon, Elkhart Independent School District superintendent.

Others included Keith Murphy, Van High School principal; Jay Olson, Region VII Education Service Center education technology coordinator; Ed Prater, Frankston Independent School District director of technology/CTE; Jason Boyd, Hawkins High School entrepreneur instructor; Suzanne Braly, Van High School dean of student services; Dr. Mitzi Doggett, Gladewater Independent School District assistant superintendent; and Kathy Gaw, Marshall High School career and technical education coordinator.

Also, Dee Hartt, Tatum Independent School District superintendent;

Sandi Jones, West Side Elementary School principal in Jacksonville Independent School District; Pamela Rodriguez, John Tyler High School college and career adviser; Patty Stevenson, Grand Saline Independent School District teacher; Clay Tompkins, Cross Roads Independent School District superintendent; Josh Williams, Rains High School assistant principal.

“The Board’s mission involves having workforce development support economic development,” said Gary Allen, Workforce Solutions Board staff section chief. “The education of our workforce has been identified as a key factor of economic development. Sending delegates to this conference helps support our mission,”

This was the second year for Workforce Solutions East Texas Board to send delegates to the conference. Conference attendees who are members of the board will assist in the board’s future planning of youth activities.

The board is composed of local representatives from business, labor, education, community based organizations, rehabilitation agencies, Texas Workforce Commission, public assistance agencies and literacy councils. In cooperation with the CEO Board of Directors (made up of county judges), the Workforce Development Board is responsible for oversight of state and federally funded training, employment, and child care services in a 14-county area around Longview and Tyler.

The Small Business Development Center at Tyler Junior College West Campus will present the 11th Women Entrepreneurs Networking Luncheon & Exhibit, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Aug. 21 in the Tyler Rose Garden Center, 420 S. Rose Park Drive.

This year’s theme is “Celebrating Women’s Achievements & Possibilities.”

Dr. Alisa White, dean of the College of Arts and Science at The University of Texas at Tyler, will present a workshop, “Build a Winning Brand to Build a Winning Business,” from 9:15-10:15 a.m.

Exhibits will open at 9:30 a.m. and networking will take place from 10-11:30 a.m.

Yellow Rose Catering and Southern Magnolia Eatery will provide lunch at 11:45 a.m. It will include a fashion show featuring Neon Dirt and Sharon Young Boutique.

Guest speaker will be Cherie Paro, owner of Granite Girls.

Cost is $30 per person in advance and reservations are required. To reserve a space, call 903-510-2975.

Greg Junek
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