April is already here! Can you believe it? I hope all our students and staff enjoyed their three-day weekend and got to take some bluebonnet pictures.

Last week, I got to surprise our four Teacher of the Year Finalists (clockwise from top left): Jessica Collins, Reading and Math Interventionist at Langford Elementary School; Pooja Mulgaonker, Special Education Resource & Inclusion Teacher at Kiker Elementary School; Jan Lowe, Math Teacher at O. Henry Middle School; and David Bellesen, Career and Technical Education AV Technology and Communications Teacher at Travis Early College High School. These amazing teachers together have taught 71 years in Austin ISD! Let me tell you, during these short visits, I was blown away by the amount of love and commitment each of these teachers had for their students and their school communities. Come root them on at our Salute celebration on May 7 at the Austin ISD PAC.

A group of students, staff, and community members celebrating Pooja Mulgaonker, a finalist for the 2025 Austin ISD Teacher of the Year award. Pooja is holding a bouquet of flowers and smiling with her students, who are holding signs that say 'Best. Teacher. EVER!' and 'Congrats!' A banner reading 'Teacher of the Year 2025 Austin ISD Elementary Finalist Pooja Mulgaonker' is displayed in the front. The classroom setting includes a mix of balloons and festive decorations.

A group of students, staff, and community members celebrating Jan Loewe, a finalist for the 2025 Austin ISD Secondary Teacher of the Year award. Jan is holding a bouquet of flowers and smiling with her students, who are holding a 'Congrats!' sign. A banner reading 'Teacher of the Year 2025 Austin ISD Secondary Finalist Jan Loewe' is prominently displayed. The classroom setting includes colorful balloons and festive decorations

A group of students, staff, and community members celebrating David Bellesen, a finalist for the 2025 Austin ISD Secondary Teacher of the Year award. David is holding a bouquet of flowers and smiling alongside his students, who are holding signs that say 'Best. Teacher. EVER!' and 'Congrats!' A banner reading 'Teacher of the Year 2025 Austin ISD Secondary Finalist David Bellesen' is prominently displayed. The classroom setting includes balloons, a camera setup, and other classroom items.

April marks Autism Acceptance and Awareness Month, a time to celebrate the unique strengths, talents, and contributions of individuals with autism while continuing to promote understanding and inclusion across our district. Austin ISD is committed to creating supportive learning environments where every student can thrive. In partnership with VELA, we are providing families a three-part interactive virtual series (three in English, three in Spanish) this month, designed to empower parents with advocacy strategies and tools to support their child’s success. Please consider registering for one or all of these sessions. For other valuable information, please visit the Texas SPED Support and Texas Project First pages.

Where I’ll be and who I’m Meeting

Monday, March 31

Today is a holiday for students and staff to commemorate three holidays. First is Cesar Chavez Day, a U.S. federal commemorative holiday, proclaimed by President Barack Obama in 2014 to celebrate the birth and legacy of the civil rights and labor movement activist Cesar Chavez. We are also celebrating Dolores Huerta Day (April 10) ahead of time, which honors the legacy of her work in protecting farmworkers' rights and advancing women's rights. Finally, Eid al-Fitr falls on March 31 this year. Eid al-Fitr means “festival of breaking the fast” in Arabic, commemorating the end of Ramadan, the holy month of fasting for Muslims.

Tuesday, April 1

I’ll start the day with a one-on-one meeting with Interim Chief of Staff La Kesha Drinks. Then, I have my standing meeting with senior staff, where we will progress the work on the budget, discuss legislative updates, and continue to develop plans around the changes. After lunch, I have a one-on-one meeting with Katrina Montgomery, Interim Chief Financial Officer, and then a check-in meeting with Board President Lynn Boswell. Later in the afternoon, I have a Texas Urban Council Superintendent Meeting, followed by a virtual meeting with the Board President and Ashley Paz, our Lone Star Governance Coach.

Wednesday, April 2

This morning, I have a one-on-one meeting with Austin ISD Police Chief Wayne Sneed. From there, I’ll go into a planning meeting with John Jenkins of New Leaders. Afterwards, I have a one-on-one meeting with the Chief Technology Officer, Oscar Rodriguez. This afternoon, I’ll meet with Assistant City Manager Eddie Garcia and Homeland Security and Emergency Management Director Jim Redick, who has been rescheduled from before spring break. Afterwards, I have a Board Special Meeting. This evening, I’ll have my final Quarterly Informal Chat with Principals, a time I set aside to just sit with principals and listen to what may be at the top of their minds.

Thursday, April 3

First thing today is a standing meeting with Dean Martinez from the University of Texas College of Education. Afterwards, I have a meeting with Dr. Allen Weeks, Executive Director of Austin Voices for Education and Youth. Then I have a check-in meeting with our two TEA monitors, a one-on-one meeting with our Austin ISD Ombudsperson, Beverly Reeves, and a meeting with Ken Zarifis, President of Education Austin. In the afternoon, I have a one-on-one meeting with Christine Steenport, Chief Operations Officer, and then with our operations team to receive updates on the 2022 Bond Program. Then I’ll head to Odom Elementary School, where we will have a Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony. As a part of the 2022 Bond Program, Odom received a secure entry vestibule, Pre-K classroom upgrades, a school mental health center, a community pantry, and renovations of open concept areas, among other things.

Friday, April 4

I have a one-on-one meeting with Board Vice President Kathryn Whitley-Chu this morning. From there, we will transition to a governance meeting with the board officers. Afterwards, I will meet with a group of trustees and Interim CFO Katrina Montgomery to discuss the budget. In the afternoon, I have a meeting with Pilar Sanchez, Travis County Executive, followed by a call with all principals to provide updates on the latest budget and legislative developments. Then I have a meeting with leaders from the Texas PTA and the Austin Council of PTAs. This evening, I have a one-on-one meeting with Trustee Quintana.

Weekend

This weekend, my wife and I are both doing the Half Ironman Triathlon in Galveston, TX. Wish us luck!

Recognize our amazing staff each month by submitting a RAVE!

Follow me on Instagram @matias_aisd. #StrongSchoolsStrongerAustin

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