This week, the expertise and impact of Harris County Department of Education (HCDE) leaders were on full display at the 40th Annual Texas Alliance of Black School Educators Conference in Galveston. The event welcomed more than 500 educators and campus leaders statewide to network, address the state of education and gain valuable resources for the betterment of students.  

Conference activities began on Feb. 12 with a golf tournament at Moody Gardens. Superintendent James Colbert Jr. and Assistant Superintendent of Education and Enrichment Dr. CJ Rodgers broke out their spikes to represent HCDE.  

Several members of #TeamHCDE were honored for their leadership and mentorship in education. The 11th Annual Dining with Divas event recognized nearly 40 prominent education professionals across Texas, including HCDE’s Dr. Margaret Patton, director of curriculum and special services; Dr. Edna Johnson, director of procurement services; and Trina Silva, Education Foundation and partnerships director. At the same time, Men on a Mission honored administrators with boots on the ground, paving the road for the next generation. Dr. Rodgers and Dr. Tyrone Sylvester, executive director of Human Resources, were among the near dozen men recognized at the event.  

During the conference, Colbert also led two presentations for administrators aspiring to join executive teams or become superintendents. “Leadership Judo” discussed best practices for leading a district and establishing a close council that believes in and supports their mission. Chief of Staff Danielle Bartz joined Colbert for the second presentation entitled “Getting to the C-Suite & Getting it Right!,” which provided insights into effective marketing and interview techniques and transitioning into an executive-level position.