Tia Simmons, Spring High School

Dario Villota, Twin Creeks Middle School

Kim Culley, Smith Elementary School

George Flores, Meyer Elementary School

Dr. Robert Long, Thompson Elementary School

HOUSTON – May 16, 2016 – Raise Your Hand Texas recently announced that five Spring ISD principals will be going to Harvard University this summer to participate in leadership training. They are Tia Simmons, Spring High School; Dario Villota, Twin Creeks Middle School; Kimberly Culley, Smith Elementary School; George Flores, Meyer Elementary School; and Dr. Robert Long, Thompson Elementary School.

Each principal applied for and received a grant from Raise Your Hand Texas to attend a week-long summer institute at the Principals’ Center at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. The summer leadership program consists of six different institutes: School Turnaround Leaders, National Institute for Urban School Leaders, Improving Schools: The Art of Leadership; Closing the Achievement Gap; and Family Engagement in Education.

“The application process was very selective,” said Dr. Lupita Hinojosa, Spring ISD chief academic officer. “It included a thorough and lengthy application, letters of recommendation and face-to-face interviews. We are so pleased that all of our applicants were selected.”

While there, the principals will not only participate in professional development programs but will also have opportunities to strengthen their leadership skills, network with other principals and have time to reflect, refocus and recharge.

Raise Your Hand Texas is a nonprofit organization that supports public education by investing in leadership grants and advocating for students. For more information about Raise Your Hand Texas, go to www.raiseyourhandtexas.org/programs/harvard/. For more information about the Harvard Principals Center, go to www.gse.harvard.edu/ppe/programs/principals-center.