With the economy faltering and community and business leaders searching for the means to secure a brighter future, the relationship between current executives and the student population, representing the workforce of tomorrow, has never been so important. To help facilitate a positive relationship built on mutual understanding, more than 150 local business and community leaders, including Executive Director of TECH CORPS Texas, Danny Perry, joined forces as a part of the HISD’s 6th annual “Principal for a Day” initiative.
The 153 guest principals were able to walk a mile in a HISD principal’s shoes in order to better comprehend the issues that Houston public schools face, as the nation’s seventh largest school district. Because economic development depends on the public school systems effectively preparing students to be the workforce of tomorrow, the local leaders of today were encouraged to share their experiences, in order to make students aware of the opportunities that await them. TECH CORPS Texas leader, Danny Perry, attended The Leaders Academy Charter School, an institution founded 3 years ago with the help of 140 computers donated by TECH CORPS Texas in an effort to equip 4 classrooms with the necessary technology to support a computer-based curriculum. “When they assigned the schools,” says Perry, “I was very excited to find out I would be visiting Leaders Academy, it was a huge concrete area when we started [3 years ago] and it was awesome to see how far they had come.”
Targeted as a credit recovery school for student’s grades 9-12, Leaders Academy has evolved its model to help students go above and beyond expectations, assisting students with credit acceleration for those who want to take control of their education and forge ahead, or even graduate early. In spite of a dedicated student population, Leaders Academy still tackles the same issues that all public schools face. “Shortly after arriving,” says Perry, “I sat in on a staff meeting, and listened to an exhaustive agenda in which we brainstormed ways to answer problems such as drop-out recovery, and new initiatives to take.”
The result was a focus on work force skills that fits well with the majority of students’ desire to graduate early and focus on the future. “I saw an opportunity, “says Perry, “for TECH CORPS Texas, and Leaders Academy to work together. With a program similar to our summer Community Help Desk, we can train up to 75 kids with the technology skills needed to secure employment and a brighter future.” “ I mentioned it to the students, describing who we are, and what we are going to do” continue Perry, “and I asked for a show of hands to see how many students were interested in computers, or a career in technology, and the response was so positive: 40 kids signed up to participate right off the bat.”
“You can’t just throw money at the problem, but leveraging the resources we have, the funding we have, and matching it with the budget of the school and willpower of the students- buried potential is realized, problems are solved, and time and money is saved,” says Perry. Making students aware of the opportunities out there is an excellent way to begin a collaborative relationship between businesses and students, but to move beyond the initial interest, to actually train motivated students, is to achieve the goal of the “Principal for the Day,” initiative.
After a whirlwind morning of meetings, and even a surprise performance by The Leader’s Academy dance and cheer squad, TECH CORPS Texas Executive Director, Danny Perry only has one complaint: “I wish I could have stayed the entire day.” With almost half of the school district participating in this year’s “Principal for a Day” program, almost double last years participation, next year promises to be even better.
