Hello Friends,
This week was Assistant Principal and School Librarian Appreciation Week! We hope y’all have taken the time to show our APs and Librarians some TLC! Thank you for all the work you do!
A big shoutout to Minda Anderson! The Ann Richards School librarian was named the Texas Library Association's 2025 Librarian of the Year! Congratulations, Minda!
We truly have some of the greatest people at Austin ISD. Take a moment to read about how Volunteer Sarah Syma Swantner is making a difference at Cunningham Elementary School.
Reminder: Next Friday, April 18 is a Staff Development day, Student Holiday and Good Friday.
Let’s get started….
Editor's note: This article was featured in this week's Leader Letter edition.
April is Autism Acceptance Month.
Why specialize in Special Education and particularly in Autism?
Amy Hardin says she developed a love for people with disabilities because she grew up surrounded by THEIR love — her aunt’s love, her cousin’s love — and specially, the love of a child who had Down Syndrome and whom she babysat for years.
But, when it came to deciding how she’d make a living, Hardin went to business school.
Remember what it’s like deciding how to choose a career? It can be confusing, overwhelming. The question often is — should I follow my heart? If I do, what’s the job market for my skill set?
Hardin ended up getting a degree in business, but her heart kept tugging. Should she become a nurse? Or a teacher? And if she was to become a teacher, she knew she’d specialize in Special Education. Fast forward to today and Hardin is now a veteran educator with 17 years of service and more love than she can handle from the many students she has served.
What’s your favorite story about Autism?
There are two. One is an actual story book, David Small’s 1985 “Imogene’s Antlers” which is about a girl who wakes up one day to find she grew antlers overnight and, as you may imagine, there’s a lot of adjustments that need to take place.
The second story happened in the hallway of Hardin’s school. A parent-volunteer witnessed a child with Autism going through an episode. Hardin overheard the parent say, "I need to invite that child over for a playdate." The story is simple, but it moved Hardin because “that’s exactly what kids with Autism need! They need to be included in social activities and often they are not.” Maybe because Autism is still misunderstood by many.
If Autism were a color, which color would it be for you?
Green! Because it combines blue and yellow (two of Hardin’s favorite colors!) Hardin, however, doesn’t use the word “combine," she says “include." For her, teaching children with Autism is all about being inclusive.
If Autism were a song, which song would it be?
It would be Rachel Platten’s 2015 “Fight Song”
If you don’t know it, here’s a sample of the lyrics. You’ll understand why this is her Autism song.
This is my fight song (hey)
Take back my life song (hey)
Prove I'm alright song (hey, ha)
My power's turned on (hey)
Starting right now, I'll be strong (hey)
I'll play my fight song (hey)
And I don't really care if nobody else believes (ha)
'Cause I've still got a lot of fight left in me
Anything else?
“Yes! Everyone needs to know that ALL PEOPLE have special needs” Hardin says. “Whether you have a disability or not. We need to embrace that and teach our students with Autism that they are no different. All people have special needs.”
//Joy Diaz
Austin ISD will turn a new chapter in its equity journey as Chief Officer of Organizational Transformation Dr. Stephanie Hawley retires and her team integrates into other areas of the organization.
Why it matters: The Office of Organizational Transformation, formerly the Equity Office, was created in 2019 to integrate equity-minded practices into the organization, especially for decision makers at Central Office. After more than five years, we’re at a point where equity practices are built into many systems and how the district operates.
The details: During the five years a number of systems and trainings were implemented guided by Dr. Hawley’s leadership, including:
More than 1,000 individuals trained through capacity-building sessions with Central Office staff, assistant principals, advisory committees, vendors and community groups
Re-establishment of the Ombuds Office
Implementation of Equity by Design for Austin ISD for the Long Range Planning Process and the historic 2022 Bond Package.
Establishment of the Equity Advisory Committee.
These practices will continue on as integrated parts of Austin ISD.
What they’re saying: “At this point, we also have both a superintendent and a chief of staff who have engaged in many more hours of equity-focused learning experiences than any other leaders in the history of the district,” Dr. Hawley said. “They have both led and participated in a number of the high-impact initiatives.”
The bottom line: While the Office of Organization Transformation will close, we remain committed to implementing organizational change to improve staff and student experiences and academic success across the district.
It’s time again for another installment of the Board Bulletin. During our Board Information Session this week, we delved into key areas impacting our students and community: discipline disproportionality, math progress and special education enhancements. Let's get into it!
First up, our scorecard updates focused on how our students are progressing in math, which is tied to our Goal Progress Measure 2.1: Numeracy Progress.
Next up the trustees dove into data on discipline as part of Scorecard Constraint 5: Restorative Practice. This scorecard constraint tracks two student populations (African-American students and students who receive special education services) and persistent disparities in their rates of exclusionary discipline, which takes them out of their traditional classroom setting.
The district reported a decrease in disparities in exclusionary discipline rates for both groups. For African American students, the disparity fell from 12.39% to 10.33% and for students receiving special education services it dropped from 22.22% to 19.65%.
While overall incidents of discretionary removals from campus have increased districtwide, many campuses are showing strong improvements in reducing disparities. Staff credit work to build stronger relationships with students, improved professional development, and a focus on de-escalation, collaboration, and restorative practices.
What’s next: Plans include expanding extra supports for students with multiple removals by adding students receiving special education services. This inaugural year started with our African American students, monitoring those who have 3 or more discretionary removals to provide wraparound support for those students.
Finally, trustees received an update on the Special Education Strategic Plan.
The district is transitioning from contractors to full-time staff to improve evaluation services, following positive feedback from the Special Education Family Survey.
Nearly 1,000 staff participated in IEP-focused professional development, and a new digital management system for SPED, 504, and Medicaid is set to launch by September 2025.
One more thing: Trustees and district leaders heard a number of public comments from the Dobie Middle School community following the news that urgent action must be taken at the campus, including a possible charter operator or school closure due to accountability. The trustees and administration also discussed Dobie at length in their agenda preview for the April 24 voting meeting.
A community meeting will be held at Dobie Monday, April 14 to discuss options as the district continues gathering feedback on next steps.
Board members must decide and vote on Dobie’s future at its April 24 Board Regular Voting Meeting to meet the April 30 deadline outlined by the Texas Education Agency.
A public hearing on the issue will be held before the final vote April 24.
The Annual Latino Academic Achievement Awards celebrates nominated students, community members, and Dual Language seal of bi-literacy graduates every April.
Austin ISD, Austin Ed Fund, and the Austin Chamber have partnered to create an internship for rising 10-12th grade students to help prepare them for the workforce through hands-on training, skills development, and meaningful work experience.
Happening this weekend is the Annual Holi Party, Friday April 11 from 5-7:30 p.m. at the Ann Richards School's Courtyard. Enjoy good food, dance and the festival of colors!
Have a great weekend!
-JJ
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