Executive Director’s Blog
Kevin Brown, Ed.D., joined the staff in 2018 as TASA’s fourth executive director. Formerly the superintendent of Alamo Heights ISD and a past TASA state president, he chaired the TASA 2025 Task Force, which developed the TASA Strategic Framework, a plan to ensure TASA’s continued success.
Pivoting for COVID-19
In my 30-year career, I have never been prouder of public school educators as I am right now. My “family” here on the TASA staff is included in that assessment. Schools across our state and nation have completely redesigned learning systems from in-person to at-home,...
The Strength to Persevere
“Suffering teaches us gratitude. Normally we take love and friendship for granted. But in seasons of suffering we throw ourselves on others and appreciate the gifts that our loved ones offer. Suffering puts you in solidarity with others who suffer. It makes you more...
Those Who Can, Teach
During my last three years of college, I planned to be an attorney; I even worked for a law firm part time. But right before my senior year, everything changed for me. I had spent the summer working with kids as a camp counselor, and over the course of my final year,...
Finding Meaning in a Time of Crisis
“Dad?” From the tone of the voice on the other end of the phone, I knew it was time. My youngest daughter, Molly, is an independent, resilient honor student at the University of Colorado. Her classes had already gone virtual, but she had decided to stick it out in her...
Poll Shows Texans’ Trust in Our Public Schools
Throughout my 28-year career as a teacher, principal and superintendent in Texas public schools, I have witnessed with awe the work educators do every day. What a blessing it has been to be in a profession with people who give so much of themselves in the service of...
The Importance of Mentoring
As an undergraduate student at UT, I held a variety of jobs, including one at a convenience store. The owner, a very successful businessman who spoke few words, gave me sage advice. “Kevin,” he said, “as you go into your profession, you need to find mentors who will...
Coming Together Through Community Schools
When I was an elementary principal of a Title 1 school, my favorite thing to do was to stand out front every morning to greet students, staff and parents. Regardless of race, gender, socioeconomic status, political persuasion, religion or ability, every child who...
Following Up on the First Year: A Q&A with Kevin Brown
In summer 2018 Kevin Brown left his 10-year post as Alamo Heights ISD superintendent to take the top position at TASA. How has the transition gone? What's his perspective on the association’s progress on the TASA Strategic Framework — a long-range plan that lays out...
Good Things Happen When Educators Vote
When educators speak up for public education, people listen. When they vote, good things happen for our children. But when they don’t speak up and don’t vote, history has shown us that bad things happen. It really is that simple. Texas’ 86th legislative session is now...
The Balance of Management and Leadership
The varied and complex roles of administrators can generally be placed under two categories: management and leadership. The best superintendents do both very well. Management matters. No one cares what your vision of leadership is if the roof is leaking, bus schedules...
Focus Locally, Keep the Momentum Going
Educators and public school supporters, including parents, business leaders, students and friends, showed up at the polls in November in record numbers. That is cause for celebration. For at least a decade now, it feels as though public education has been attacked,...
STEM Education Fosters Real-World Skills
Texas public schools place a priority on creating and sustaining quality STEM programs, so the opportunities available to students these days are astounding. Our students compete in robotics and cyber security, design and build rockets, clone cattle, make discoveries...
The Challenges of School Safety
When I entered teaching, I never thought I would need to become an expert in school safety. It wasn’t on my radar beyond routine fire and tornado drills. When I was a principal, well before Columbine, we left exterior doors unlocked most of the time and routinely had...
Accepting the Torch
One of the best Olympic traditions is the passing of the torch from one person to another, starting in Olympia, Greece, and continuing for hundreds of miles as the flame is carried to its ultimate destination — the lighting of the official Olympic cauldron in the...