Workshops

Board members can join TEA GTO-trained presenters as they navigate the priorities for the next year and provide updates on board-required training. This workshop will address the important topics charter board members need to know, including legal updates, school finance, and academic accountability. Network with colleagues in similar roles and hear how you can make a difference in your districts. This workshop is meant for new board members or board members new to charter schools, but any charter school board members are welcome to attend.

Excellent instruction requires teachers to motivate and support all students in achieving mastery of rigorous academic content. This collection of techniques helps teachers positively engage students in rigorous academic work. Attendees will gain:

• An understanding of proven teaching skills that drive student achievement
• Insights when describing the effective application of techniques by champion teachers
• An understanding of the importance of practicing new techniques with teachers
• A framework for what makes practice effective
• Practice activities that will strengthen teachers’ capacity to apply effective techniques in their classrooms
• The opportunity to plan how you will implement these techniques in your school’s professional development program

This year’s half-day Finance Workshop will provide charter school leaders with tools to mitigate against and plan for financial uncertainty. Tips and strategies will be shared for overcoming real estate cost barriers, construction cost escalations, and financing structures that can help your school succeed in its facility acquisitions and finance needs. Finally, there will be a discussion focusing on improvements to internal controls over procurements and use of funds, focusing on cost efficiencies for improved school finances. This half-day session offers a prime opportunity for networking with colleagues in similar roles to exchange ideas about how you can make effective changes in your districts.

During this interactive session, participants will begin to create an individualized, structured, data-driven enrollment marketing plan. Schools will leave with an actionable plan that includes:

• SMART enrollment goals accounting for attrition and no-shows
• Integrated marketing calendar incorporating family engagement, community outreach, direct outreach, digital marketing, and other key tactics
• A line-item budget based on national benchmarks to allocate resources effectively
• Messaging strategy and message pillars to ensure clear, compelling communication
• Initial family engagement plan to build strong relationships with prospective and current families
• Initial community outreach plan to maximize partnerships and local awareness
• Initial direct outreach plan for connecting with local prospective families
• Initial digital marketing plan for targeted online outreach

Succession planning isn’t something we put in place once a school is ready for a transition; it’s a key responsibility of every leader and every board member, right now. In this session for charter superintendents and board members, you’ll learn from our panel of national experts and local leaders, who will share their own experiences and larger trends in the sector.