‘TASB Talks’ at txEDCON: Why School Board Leadership and Regional Connections Matter
Every school district has its own unique story to tell, but it’s the shared challenges and opportunities education leaders across the state all face that can serve as a unifying force for good.
That’s why collaboration between districts is critical, particularly at the regional level, said Pflugerville ISD Superintendent Quintin Shepherd.
“You can’t understate the value of that,” Shepherd said. “At the regional level, something different happens. Trustees are familiar with each other and have known each other for some time, so they’re more comfortable with each other and those conversations are so much deeper.”
Strengthening Leadership and Building Connections
At this year’s txEDCON in Houston, Shepherd joined the TASB Talks podcast for an in-depth conversation about how superintendents and trustees can strengthen their leadership while building meaningful regional connections. He also discussed his new book, The Art of School Board Leadership: From the Boardroom to the Classroom, sharing lessons, takeaways, and reasons for optimism about the future of public education.
“The truth of the matter is, if you find yourself in public education, you are the harbinger of hope,” Shepherd said. “When you bring hope to any situation, you’re helping set people’s hearts on fire. And when people’s hearts are on fire for what they truly believe in, everything is possible.”
Watch the full TASB Talks conversation now on YouTube or listen wherever you get your podcasts.
Matt Mitchell
Matt Mitchell serves as senior communications specialist for the Communications, Marketing, and Events team. He contributes to TASB.org and Texas Lone Star magazine, hosts the TABS Talks podcast, and creates and manages content for TASB social media.
Mitchell previously served as a communications specialist at The University of Texas at Austin, where he focused on internal communications and staff-focused content for the web. He also previously worked for KXAN-TV as social media manager, where he managed the station’s daily social media content and long-form marketing campaigns.
Mitchell is a graduate of Oklahoma State University, where he received both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees.
