Annual Conference Keynote Speaker

Confirmed:  Thomas Bloch

FORMER CEO OF H&R BLOCK AND FOUNDER, UNIVERSITY ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL (KANSAS CITY, MO)

We are excited to announce our first confirmed keynote speaker for the 12th annual Texas Charter Schools Conference which will take place April 13-15, 2009 in San Antonio – he is Thomas Bloch, the successful former CEO of H&R Block, the groundbreaking tax organization. The son of the company’s founder, he was a happily married 41-year-old executive, but something was missing from his life. After a nineteen-year career at the company, Bloch resigned his position to become a math teacher in an impoverished inner-city section of Kansas City. “Stand for the Best” follows Bloch’s struggles to make a difference for his marginalized students and how he eventually co-founded a successful charter school, University Academy.  

During the opening General Session on April 14, Bloch will share his own unique experiences, lessons learned, winning strategies from teachers he has known, valuable approaches for educating students no matter what their circumstances, and a unique model of education for teachers working with inner-city students. Most of all, he will inspire us with what can be accomplished when teachers, students, and the community all stand for the best. A book signing event will also be organized after Mr. Bloch’s presentation.  

Conference Registration and Call for Presentations by visiting http://www.texascharterconference.com/.     

Katie H. Howell