Courageous Connections highlights events, resources, initiatives and projects that show how communities and schools are able to spark and sustain changes. These examples demonstrate IDRA’s Quality Schools Action Framework in action. See IDRA’s new book, Courage to Connect: A Quality Schools Action Framework, for more information.
¡YA! Es Tiempo
IDRA gathered more than 140 parents, community leaders, students, educators, public officials, and policymakers in July 2010 for a day of listening, dialogue and network building to improve the quality of education for all students in the Rio Grande Valley.
The event was convened at Gus Guerra Elementary in Alamo, Texas, at the invitation of Principal Ms. Rebecca Sanchez and Pharr-San Juan-Alamo ISD Superintendent Dr. Daniel P. King. Mr. Juan Sepúlveda, director of the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans, joined the gathering via Skype, to describe national programs designed to support school-community partnership for school change.
More information about the event along with related resources is available on the ¡YA! Es Tiempo site.
Dr. Daniel P. King is on his fourth year as superintendent of the Pharr-San Juan-Alamo Independent School District, and his 34rd year in education. Prior to this position, Dr. King served as Superintendent of Schools at Hidalgo ISD for eight years. In 2006, the Texas Association of School Boards named Dr. King the Texas Superintendent of the Year. Under his leadership, Hidalgo ISD gained a state and national reputation for excellence, earning many commendations and awards.
President, ARISE Support Center; 18 years Animadora (home visitor/family outreach); President, ARISE South Tower Center, 8 years; Co-founder of the ARISE Muñiz Center; Co-founder and officer, ARISE South Tower PTA Comunitario; Texas IDRA PIRC Parent Advisory Committee; Conference/seminar/workshop presenter on social justice, women’s leadership and community advocacy.
Joe Medrano has been providing service work in South Texas for over 20 years. Joe has been working as the Community Education Officer with START Center and is Chairman of the Education Working Group for the Casey Foundation Network of Grantees in the Rio Grande Valley. Through his efforts, Joe has been instrumental in establishing START Center as the primary source of information for community and educational awareness programs in the San Benito and surrounding areas.
Juan Sepúlveda was appointed by Secretary of Education Arne Duncan on May 19, 2009, to the position of director of the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans. In this capacity, he is responsible for directing the efforts of the White House Initiative in engaging Hispanic students, parents, families, organizations, and anyone working in or with the education system in communities nationwide as active participants in improving the academic achievement of Hispanic Americans.
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