TASA has named the 2020 recipients of its Johnny L. Veselka Scholarship, which the organization has awarded annually since 2014 to outstanding doctoral students pursuing careers in educational leadership, with particular emphasis on the superintendency.
The recipients were selected from among a pool of applicants by the TASA Johnny L. Veselka Scholarship Committee, a group of Texas school superintendents and other public school district administrators.
Each of the following recipients will be awarded a $2,500 scholarship during the 2020 TASA Midwinter Conference in Austin January 26-29.
Carla Amacher, area superintendent for Round Rock ISD, is working toward her doctorate in educational administration at Concordia University.
“As a superintendent, I would hold firmly that success on any standardized measure of achievement would be the byproduct of a high-quality educational experience,” she wrote in her application. “We don’t have to practice taking tests. We don’t even have to engage students in long reviews prior to taking them. What we do need is to nurture a generation of students who can think, solve problems, collaborate, self-manage, and innovate.”
Mike Rockwood, chief of staff for Lamar CISD, is working toward his doctorate in educational leadership from Baylor University.
“I aspire to be a superintendent because I strongly believe in the power of public education to change lives and I am passionate about shaping our future,” he wrote. “I believe a superintendent should remove obstacles, connect people, and protect students. … I have chosen the superintendency as a career because our children represent so much hope and positivity for a future that is yet to be discovered.”
The scholarship recognizes the leadership of Dr. Johnny L. Veselka, who dedicated nearly 44 years of service to the association, including 32 years as TASA’s executive director. The program is facilitated by TASA with the support of the following sponsors: Champions, PBK, Stantec and TCG Advisors.
