Two members of #TeamHCDE recently traveled across the pond to discuss educational challenges at the Oxford Roundtable Symposium in England. Troy Moore, assistant principal at Highpoint School, and Johanna Sanchez, officer of elementary education for the Center for Educator Success (CES), were invited to share their respective research as doctoral students in the educational leadership program at Abilene Christian University. They joined more than a dozen professionals from the United Kingdom, Africa and Brazil in embracing the symposium theme, “Redefining Education in a Changing World,” on June 10-16 to discuss similarities across educational landscapes and present best practices to overcome challenges.   

Sanchez presented her proposed research entitled, “Understanding the Impact of Teacher Attrition on High Poverty Title I Schools in Texas: How School Leaders are Responding.” She explored the growing challenges districts face in maintaining a stable educator workforce and how campus and district leaders are implementing innovative approaches to better support teachers, reduce turnover and improve student outcomes in historically underserved communities. Follow-up discussions served as a worldwide reminder that the CES mission at home remains paramount in teachers’ overall development.   

“Engaging with scholars from around the world reinforced that teacher retention is not just a Texas issue, but it is a global challenge,” Sanchez said. “Regardless of the country, educational leaders are navigating many of the same concerns.”  

Moore’s research, “Leading Through Trauma: Principals’ Emotional Support After School Violence,” examined school leaders’ critical role in helping students, staff and families recover in the aftermath of a tragedy. He highlighted how compassionate leadership practices, like those utilized at Highpoint, foster trust, promote healing and support the emotional well-being of the school community.  

“Whether you’re in the U.S., Europe or Australia, the fundamental pressures on teachers, campus leaders and districts trying to improve K-12 education are surprisingly universal,” Moore said.   

As education continues to evolve, opportunities like the Oxford Round Table Symposium allow Harris County Department of Education leaders to contribute to and learn from global conversations, ensuring the organization remains at the forefront of research-informed leadership and innovation.