UNT DALLAS NEWS
PRINCIPAL IMPACT COLLABORATIVE ANNOUNCES 4TH PROGRAM COHORT
AS AREA SCHOOL PRINCIPALS CONFRONT IMMENSE CHALLENGES
Two-year program transitions to meet today’s specific needs in a time of crisis
Dallas (June 11, 2020) – The Principal Impact Collaborative (PIC) at the University of North Texas at Dallas this week announced its 2020 cohort of 23 principals from school districts across the Dallas-Fort Worth region.
The PIC program supports and empowers principals with at least two years of service in urban schools that are typically underserved in talent pipeline and professional development programs. This two-year program focuses on enhancing the leadership capacity and resilience of school leaders, which plays a critical role in increasing the longevity of principals at one school, and the long-term outcomes at those campuses.
This 4th cohort enters the program at a time when principals are confronted with unprecedented public health, economic and curriculum delivery challenges caused by the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. PIC is reimagining its support for principals during times of crises by transitioning aspects of its programming to meet today’s specific needs.
“Now more than ever, we are humbled to continue serving public school principals from across Dallas-Fort Worth, as they juggle even greater complexity in their roles,” PIC Executive Director Alejandra Barbosa said. “It is vital to continue to invest in our principals as schools continue to evolve. Principal Impact Collaborative seeks to empower the personal resilience, creativity and leadership capacity that will allow principals to reinvent schools and ensure that students are on a path to succeed.”
Evolving PIC programming includes a series of focus groups and surveys to understand the greatest challenges moving out of response and into recovery, and adding new course topics to address the diverse needs of leadership in crisis.
The 2020 cohort includes 15 principals from the Dallas Independent School District, four from Garland Independent School District, a first-time participant in the PIC program, two from Uplift Education and two from the Fort Worth Independent School District.
Launched in 2016, PIC formally transitioned in 2019 to its long-term home at UNT Dallas, representing the university’s investment and belief in PIC’s mission to sustain and build the innovative capacity of experienced school leaders across Dallas-Fort Worth.
“PIC trains high-potential school leaders with life-changing, career-altering concepts that enable them to respond to any challenge they face,” UNT Dallas President Bob Mong said. “Training is actionable and sticks with you over time.”
MEET THE 2020 PIC COHORT
Dallas Independent School District
Garland Independent School District
Uplift Education
Fort Worth Independent School District
ABOUT PRINCIPAL IMPACT COLLABORATIVE
The Principal Impact Collaborative (PIC) at UNT Dallas supports elite public school principals to drive impactful change on their campuses. PIC’s innovative, two-year fellowship program is designed to connect experienced North Texas area principals with like-minded peers, reignite their passion for the work, and provide them with the tools and resources to set and execute a vision to improve their campuses. Principals participate in monthly workshops that provide high-quality leadership development, coupled with an immersive experience into the human centered design process and support as they incubate and execute a 'big idea' action project designed to drive campus improvement.
ABOUT UNT DALLAS
The University of North Texas at Dallas empowers students, transforms lives and strengthens communities. UNT Dallas is the fastest-growing public university in Texas and the only public, accredited 4-year university in the City of Dallas. UNT Dallas is the most affordable 4-year university in Dallas-Fort Worth and ranks No. 1 in the state for lowest student debt upon graduation. UNT Dallas includes the UNT Dallas College of Law in Downtown Dallas and is part of the University of North Texas System.
CONTACT:
Rachel Chewakin
Program Manager
Principal Impact Collaborative at University of North Texas at Dallas
Rachel.Chewakin@untdallas.edu
Dallas (June 11, 2020) – The Principal Impact Collaborative (PIC) at the University of North Texas at Dallas this week announced its 2020 cohort of 23 principals from school districts across the Dallas-Fort Worth region.
The PIC program supports and empowers principals with at least two years of service in urban schools that are typically underserved in talent pipeline and professional development programs. This two-year program focuses on enhancing the leadership capacity and resilience of school leaders, which plays a critical role in increasing the longevity of principals at one school, and the long-term outcomes at those campuses.
This 4th cohort enters the program at a time when principals are confronted with unprecedented public health, economic and curriculum delivery challenges caused by the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. PIC is reimagining its support for principals during times of crises by transitioning aspects of its programming to meet today’s specific needs.
“Now more than ever, we are humbled to continue serving public school principals from across Dallas-Fort Worth, as they juggle even greater complexity in their roles,” PIC Executive Director Alejandra Barbosa said. “It is vital to continue to invest in our principals as schools continue to evolve. Principal Impact Collaborative seeks to empower the personal resilience, creativity and leadership capacity that will allow principals to reinvent schools and ensure that students are on a path to succeed.”
Evolving PIC programming includes a series of focus groups and surveys to understand the greatest challenges moving out of response and into recovery, and adding new course topics to address the diverse needs of leadership in crisis.
The 2020 cohort includes 15 principals from the Dallas Independent School District, four from Garland Independent School District, a first-time participant in the PIC program, two from Uplift Education and two from the Fort Worth Independent School District.
Launched in 2016, PIC formally transitioned in 2019 to its long-term home at UNT Dallas, representing the university’s investment and belief in PIC’s mission to sustain and build the innovative capacity of experienced school leaders across Dallas-Fort Worth.
“PIC trains high-potential school leaders with life-changing, career-altering concepts that enable them to respond to any challenge they face,” UNT Dallas President Bob Mong said. “Training is actionable and sticks with you over time.”
MEET THE 2020 PIC COHORT
Dallas Independent School District
- Adriana Gonzalez, Solar Preparatory School for Boys at John F. Kennedy Learning Center
- Beth Wing, Dealey Montessori and International Academy
- Carmen Derrick, Nancy Moseley Elementary
- Edgar Jaramillo, Julian T. Saldivar Elementary School
- Fabian Hypolite, Chapel Hill Preparatory School
- Jennifer Atkins, Charles Rice Learning Center
- Lisa Vega, Montessori Academy at Onesimo Hernandez
- Lynn Smith, CityLab High School
- Michael Moran, Woodrow Wilson High School
- Niki L. Jones, Harry Stone Montessori Academy an I. B. World School-MYP
- Raymie Venable, Personalized Learning Preparatory at Sam Houston
- Ryan Bott, Bryan Adams High School Leadership Academy
- Scott Rudes, Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts
- Temesghen Asmerom, Emmett J. Conrad High School
- Thania A. Garibay, Casa View Elementary School
Garland Independent School District
- Carmen Blakey, Rowlett High School
- Kelly Garcia, B.H. Freeman Elementary School
- Michael Arreola, North Garland High School
- Raelyn Scroggin, Randolph Caldwell Elementary School
Uplift Education
- Heather King, Uplift Ascend Preparatory - Middle School
- Chad Schwaberow, Uplift Infinity Preparatory - High School
Fort Worth Independent School District
- Kimberly Benavides, George C. Clarke Elementary
- Quanda Collins, Tarrant County College-South Campus, FWISD Early Collegiate High School
ABOUT PRINCIPAL IMPACT COLLABORATIVE
The Principal Impact Collaborative (PIC) at UNT Dallas supports elite public school principals to drive impactful change on their campuses. PIC’s innovative, two-year fellowship program is designed to connect experienced North Texas area principals with like-minded peers, reignite their passion for the work, and provide them with the tools and resources to set and execute a vision to improve their campuses. Principals participate in monthly workshops that provide high-quality leadership development, coupled with an immersive experience into the human centered design process and support as they incubate and execute a 'big idea' action project designed to drive campus improvement.
ABOUT UNT DALLAS
The University of North Texas at Dallas empowers students, transforms lives and strengthens communities. UNT Dallas is the fastest-growing public university in Texas and the only public, accredited 4-year university in the City of Dallas. UNT Dallas is the most affordable 4-year university in Dallas-Fort Worth and ranks No. 1 in the state for lowest student debt upon graduation. UNT Dallas includes the UNT Dallas College of Law in Downtown Dallas and is part of the University of North Texas System.
CONTACT:
Rachel Chewakin
Program Manager
Principal Impact Collaborative at University of North Texas at Dallas
Rachel.Chewakin@untdallas.edu
UNT Dallas News
June 4, 2020
Town Hall recognizes alumni, recipients of Outstanding Trailblazer Award
Friday, January 31, 2020 UNT Dallas Town Hall
Faculty and staff filled up Campus Hall Friday morning for another Recognition Town Hall hosted by President Bob Mong.
President Mong opened the breakfast gathering with a campus report, which included the news that spring enrollment is up 6% from a year ago. He also spoke about the university's strategic initiatives, centered around growth, student success and community connectedness, for FY 2020, as well as strategic goals. Those goals include: increase revenues, be a best place to work, take care of students, strengthen community partnerships and increase enrollment, retention and graduation.
The highlight of these Recognition Town Halls has become the portion in which community partners and alums are honored for their commitment to improving education in southern Dallas.
Community honorees included:
Macario Hernandez -- Principal, Trinidad "Trini" Garza Early College High School at Mountain View College
Stephanie McCloud -- Principal, Umphrey Lee Elementary
Sandi Massey -- Principal, Thomas Jefferson High School
Edwin Villatoro -- Started Thomas Jefferson Supply Drive
Azhalia Leal -- Student, Aide at Representative Victoria Neave's office
Friday, January 31, 2020 UNT Dallas Town Hall
Faculty and staff filled up Campus Hall Friday morning for another Recognition Town Hall hosted by President Bob Mong.
President Mong opened the breakfast gathering with a campus report, which included the news that spring enrollment is up 6% from a year ago. He also spoke about the university's strategic initiatives, centered around growth, student success and community connectedness, for FY 2020, as well as strategic goals. Those goals include: increase revenues, be a best place to work, take care of students, strengthen community partnerships and increase enrollment, retention and graduation.
The highlight of these Recognition Town Halls has become the portion in which community partners and alums are honored for their commitment to improving education in southern Dallas.
Community honorees included:
Macario Hernandez -- Principal, Trinidad "Trini" Garza Early College High School at Mountain View College
Stephanie McCloud -- Principal, Umphrey Lee Elementary
Sandi Massey -- Principal, Thomas Jefferson High School
Edwin Villatoro -- Started Thomas Jefferson Supply Drive
Azhalia Leal -- Student, Aide at Representative Victoria Neave's office
UNT DALLAS LAUNCHES PRINCIPAL IMPACT COLLABORATIVE TO BOLSTER PRINCIPAL RETENTION, STUDENT SUCCESS IN URBAN SCHOOLS
Friday, March 22, 2019 - UNT Dallas News
UNT Dallas recently acquired the Principal Impact Collaborative (PIC), and on Thursday launched the program with a breakfast gathering that attracted more than 100 school principals and leaders from across the region -- along with an NBC5 crew that produced an in-depth report.
PIC is an innovative, two-year fellowship program that is designed to connect experienced North Texas area principals with their like-minded peers, re-ignite their passion for the work and provide them with the tools and resources to set and execute on a vision to improve their campus. The program's goals are to increase principal retention rates. Good principals provide stability, foster teacher retention and then a top-to-bottom consistency that results in great student success.
"We're so thrilled to have a home here at UNT Dallas," said Alejandra Barbosa, program director of PIC, who now offices in Founders Hall in the School of Education. "We're so inspired by the values of the university, innovation supporting our local students because we do the same thing for principals. And so it's a really proud moment to see all of our hard labor have an opportunity to be here.
“PIC’s mission is critical as it is an increasingly challenging time for school leaders," Barobosa added. "Across DFW, we see approximately 20 percent of principals turn over every year, and this creates instability in our highest-need schools. PIC seeks to build principals’ resilience and commitment to their work, while also building their leadership capacity to lead with a more innovative and student-centered mindset. PIC is excited to be a part of UNT Dallas, as the merger allows PIC to grow and support more school leaders across DFW. PIC can also leverage all the knowledge and capacity from the School of Education to continue innovating for school leaders and adult learning.”
The program currently has a cohort of 21 principals with one more year to go. Then PIC will assembly another cohort of 25 principals.
"I can’t say enough about the importance of this partnership, with their objective approach to data so that we all see very clearly what has to be done," said UNT Dallas President Bob Mong, who opened the event. "To close the gap in the educational disparity that exists in our community, we have to work together. And that’s why we’re so pleased to have Principal Impact Collaborative on our campus."
UNT Dallas recently acquired the Principal Impact Collaborative (PIC), and on Thursday launched the program with a breakfast gathering that attracted more than 100 school principals and leaders from across the region -- along with an NBC5 crew that produced an in-depth report.
PIC is an innovative, two-year fellowship program that is designed to connect experienced North Texas area principals with their like-minded peers, re-ignite their passion for the work and provide them with the tools and resources to set and execute on a vision to improve their campus. The program's goals are to increase principal retention rates. Good principals provide stability, foster teacher retention and then a top-to-bottom consistency that results in great student success.
"We're so thrilled to have a home here at UNT Dallas," said Alejandra Barbosa, program director of PIC, who now offices in Founders Hall in the School of Education. "We're so inspired by the values of the university, innovation supporting our local students because we do the same thing for principals. And so it's a really proud moment to see all of our hard labor have an opportunity to be here.
“PIC’s mission is critical as it is an increasingly challenging time for school leaders," Barobosa added. "Across DFW, we see approximately 20 percent of principals turn over every year, and this creates instability in our highest-need schools. PIC seeks to build principals’ resilience and commitment to their work, while also building their leadership capacity to lead with a more innovative and student-centered mindset. PIC is excited to be a part of UNT Dallas, as the merger allows PIC to grow and support more school leaders across DFW. PIC can also leverage all the knowledge and capacity from the School of Education to continue innovating for school leaders and adult learning.”
The program currently has a cohort of 21 principals with one more year to go. Then PIC will assembly another cohort of 25 principals.
"I can’t say enough about the importance of this partnership, with their objective approach to data so that we all see very clearly what has to be done," said UNT Dallas President Bob Mong, who opened the event. "To close the gap in the educational disparity that exists in our community, we have to work together. And that’s why we’re so pleased to have Principal Impact Collaborative on our campus."
PRINCIPAL IMPACT COLLABORATIVE AWARDED $100,000 FROM COTTON BOWL FOUNDATION, COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF FOUNDATION
Thursday, January 2, 2020 - UNT Dallas News
The Principal Impact Collaborative, housed in the UNT Dallas President's Office, started the new year with big news: a $50,000 grant from the Cotton Bowl Foundation, plus a matching grant from The College Football Playoff Foundation.
PIC was one of six local organizations that "foster educational growth while making a sustaining impact on youth" to receive the grants. The award was announced during last week's Goodyear Big Play Luncheon prior to the Cotton Bowl game which featured Penn State against Memphis.
"We greatly appreciate the support of the Cotton Bowl Foundation, as it allows UNT Dallas to further build our investment in the Principal Impact Collaborative," President Bob Mong said. "At UNT Dallas, we believe that differentiation plus relevancy equals value. One without the other is useless. PIC is a program that allows us to differentiate learning opportunities while providing relevant and high-quality professional development to our local school leaders."
PIC is a two-year fellowship program that so far has afforded 50 principals in the North Texas area to incubate and execute a "big idea" action project to drive impact on their campus. The program also helps principals develop greater leadership skills that support idea development, effective project management and sustained impact, all while giving participants a unique opportunity to network and share best practices with like-minded peers.
“The Cotton Bowl Foundation allows the Principal Impact Collaborative to continue our rapid growth to serve amazing school leaders across DFW," PIC Program Director Alejandra Barbosa said. "The principals we work with are some of the most selfless, talented and persistent leaders we know. They are the rock of their campuses, defining what excellence means and leading their staff to ensure all our children reach their highest potential. When they come to PIC, the principals have a trusted place to learn and grow with like-minded peers so that they can better lead the campuses they serve. Every neighborhood and school deserves a strong leader, and we are proud to be supporting those principals. Thank you to the Cotton Bowl Foundation for also investing in these leaders.”
The Principal Impact Collaborative, housed in the UNT Dallas President's Office, started the new year with big news: a $50,000 grant from the Cotton Bowl Foundation, plus a matching grant from The College Football Playoff Foundation.
PIC was one of six local organizations that "foster educational growth while making a sustaining impact on youth" to receive the grants. The award was announced during last week's Goodyear Big Play Luncheon prior to the Cotton Bowl game which featured Penn State against Memphis.
"We greatly appreciate the support of the Cotton Bowl Foundation, as it allows UNT Dallas to further build our investment in the Principal Impact Collaborative," President Bob Mong said. "At UNT Dallas, we believe that differentiation plus relevancy equals value. One without the other is useless. PIC is a program that allows us to differentiate learning opportunities while providing relevant and high-quality professional development to our local school leaders."
PIC is a two-year fellowship program that so far has afforded 50 principals in the North Texas area to incubate and execute a "big idea" action project to drive impact on their campus. The program also helps principals develop greater leadership skills that support idea development, effective project management and sustained impact, all while giving participants a unique opportunity to network and share best practices with like-minded peers.
“The Cotton Bowl Foundation allows the Principal Impact Collaborative to continue our rapid growth to serve amazing school leaders across DFW," PIC Program Director Alejandra Barbosa said. "The principals we work with are some of the most selfless, talented and persistent leaders we know. They are the rock of their campuses, defining what excellence means and leading their staff to ensure all our children reach their highest potential. When they come to PIC, the principals have a trusted place to learn and grow with like-minded peers so that they can better lead the campuses they serve. Every neighborhood and school deserves a strong leader, and we are proud to be supporting those principals. Thank you to the Cotton Bowl Foundation for also investing in these leaders.”
PIC News
A message from your PIC team
It is with a heavy heart we write today. At PIC, we value investing in a school leader's whole self, so they can be resilient in this work. We also value the individual human leaders and the passion and authenticity they bring to their campus. In short, we value each of our principals in their whole identity.
In light of the recent murder of George Floyd and subsequent protests, we want to take a moment to send specific love and support to the black members of our community. While many of us are hurting right now, we understand that our black friends are hurting in ways many of us cannot fully understand. Not to mention, our black friends have endured this pain for much longer than just these recent weeks. So, while this is woefully insufficient, we want to be unequivocally clear: we believe that black lives matter, and we are with you.
At the core of our organization, we believe in using human centered design to create more equitable school environments. We also believe in iterating and improving our program with feedback from our principals and their communities. As such, we commit to:
We are humbled by the leadership of our courageous and selfless principals, who continually inspire us to lead with love and inclusivity. We will strive to do right by them and by the communities they serve.
With gratitude,
The PIC team
In light of the recent murder of George Floyd and subsequent protests, we want to take a moment to send specific love and support to the black members of our community. While many of us are hurting right now, we understand that our black friends are hurting in ways many of us cannot fully understand. Not to mention, our black friends have endured this pain for much longer than just these recent weeks. So, while this is woefully insufficient, we want to be unequivocally clear: we believe that black lives matter, and we are with you.
At the core of our organization, we believe in using human centered design to create more equitable school environments. We also believe in iterating and improving our program with feedback from our principals and their communities. As such, we commit to:
- Continuing to improve our programming to ensure we are creating a space for all participants to be welcomed
- Creating an environment for everyone to show up as their full self
- Role-modeling a culture of vulnerability and openness in order for each person to grow and thrive
- Reflecting on and adapting our practices to ensure that our principals of color are valued and that their experiences are lifted up
- Creating space for transparent dialogue about change and how we can each be a part of the movement to dismantle systemic racism that impacts our communities and schools.
- Supporting each principals' leadership as they support communities of color.
We are humbled by the leadership of our courageous and selfless principals, who continually inspire us to lead with love and inclusivity. We will strive to do right by them and by the communities they serve.
With gratitude,
The PIC team
PIC Graduating 2018 Cohort Share at
2020 Leadership Collaboration
RECAP: The PIC 2020 Leadership Collaboration was a virtual discussion on 11/18/2020 led by PIC’s graduating 2018 Principal Cohort—designed to spark dialogue and learning around the complex role of school leadership, what school leaders need to successfully navigate their roles, and the role that PIC plays in supporting leaders.
The event consisted of three panels:
The event consisted of three panels:
- Panel #1: The Importance of Resilience, Innovation & Inspiration - Today & Everyday
- Panel #2: Leading in a Pandemic with Resilience, Innovation & Inspiration - Insights & Lessons Learned
- Panel #3: Looking Ahead: Navigating the 2020 School Year- Advice for Peers & Advocates