Many state legislatures across the nation have convened for their annual legislative session. A handful, including Texas, hold regular sessions every two years and are in the midst of their off-session year. Yet for many states, what is typically a three to four-month “sprint” to consider thousands of bills is underway. Constituents, lobbyists, industry professionals,
Developing an influential culture is one of the most effective ways education leaders can positively impact their schools. However, choosing core values for the culture can be tricky. How can one pick between integrity, respect, and excellence? The key is by creating a blanket positive culture, one that incorporates all of these elements in two … Continued
A strong, dedicated and effective teacher workforce is the cornerstone of a successful education system. State lawmakers can play a critical role in conditioning the environments in which teachers work and students learn. With the current teacher shortage impacting schools across the nation, it’s now more important than ever for lawmakers to do more than
For the better part of the last decade, as I have engaged with my fellow superintendents from across the country regarding the most challenging issues confronting public education, the looming teacher shortage was always high in the topics discussed. Over the last few years, this issue has risen to the top of critical issues that
Experienced Charlotte-based superintendent Heath Morrison discusses the importance of stimulus support for education.
Across the country, schools are welcoming students back to the classroom. Unlike previous years where a parent had every reason to expect their child would be welcomed by a fully certified teacher, schools have struggled to find such educators, and have tried to plug vacancies with uncertified candidates. How bad is the teacher shortage? Last
Heath Morrison, superintendent of Montgomery ISD and Charlotte native, on why schools need remote learning support.
For school district leaders, establishing a strong culture of collaboration with stakeholders through meaningful engagement and communication is critical to building trust within your community. During a time when many local education issues are receiving national attention, maintaining trust from the community is important for school leaders. In most communities, a school board meeting is
As students, educators, and school leaders come back together after a shaky summer, plenty of uncertainty lingers in the hallways. Will this school year feel normal, or will “normal” take on an entirely different meaning? The MISD Senior Leadership Team collaborated on the following norms and core values to guide our work. These ten core … Continued
Heath Morrison, superintendent at Montgomery ISD, on the role and responsibilities of superintendents and school leaders.
Heath Morrison, a superintendent and education leader in Charlotte, discusses community-building as a tool for school leaders.
I’m always appreciative when someone knows my background as a superintendent and industry leader in education and tells me how much they value teachers. Usually, it’s to share stories about how a teacher helped shape their life or the extraordinary impact teachers are having on their children. Political leaders from both sides of the aisle
The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted education in some very significant ways. As educators began working with students remotely, it quickly became evident that the challenges of remote learning presented significant growth opportunities for both teachers and school administrators. (The early challenges presented in education were not unlike those experienced in the private sector) As a
Montgomery ISD Superintendent Heath Morrison explores funding that would benefit public schools right now.
Across the country, state legislatures are either considering implementing vouchers or deciding on possible expansion of such programs. The old argument for pro-voucher supporters of providing competition to traditional public schools to improve them has been augmented as part of a comprehensive "Parents Bill of Rights." Proponents argue that parents should have the chance to
Former superintendent Heath Morrison explores leadership in times of great hardship.
Every leader who has attained any level of success inevitability is contacted about other job opportunities. Your leadership story is just as much the opportunities you say no to as much as the ones you do decide to pursue. Several leaders often forget that it is as important to focus on how you leave your
Experienced superintendent and education leader Heath Morrison discusses the entrepreneurial spirit in an academic context.
After the war in Vietnam, it was common for those who served in the military to be publicly berated for their service. It has been a wonderful transformation to see how that has shifted in recent years. My father, a proud member of the Air Force, would come to tears when his military career was
Each spring, as educators gear up for the home stretch of the school year, it’s a great idea to recognize the parent volunteers who have contributed in big and small ways in our schools. Exhibiting an attitude of gratitude for teachers and staff members is always a best practice for school leaders, and there’s also
With the continued impact of COVID-19, many students are continuing in distance learning. As might be expected, this type of education has presented particular challenges for instructors. Since remote learning may be the instructional method for some time to come, many efforts have been made toward simplifying online instruction and providing various methods to engage
School superintendents hold a powerful and often difficult role in a community as they must be competent, experienced, and versed in all aspects of the school system for which they work. In addition to being charged with overseeing all district staff, they are also chief executives, leading all financial, operations business matters in addition to
Superintendents like to talk about all of the challenges with their jobs; of which there are many. However, when asked about the aspects of the role they enjoy most, graduation ceremonies probably rank very high for most school leaders. Graduation marks the culmination of what students have experienced in your school district, and, as it
Every leader who has attained any level of success inevitability is contacted about other job opportunities. Your leadership story is just as much the opportunities you say no to as much as the ones you do decide to pursue. Several leaders often forget that it is as important to focus on how you leave your
As we approach the end of another school year and reflect on everything our students have accomplished, it is difficult to find an adequate way to thank teachers for all the work they do. Teacher Appreciation Week is traditionally celebrated in May, but appreciating and celebrating teachers should be an everyday habit for school leaders.
A strong, community-driven process for the development of a school district strategic plan is critical towards increasing academic achievement for all students and building a strong network of stakeholder support for schools. In October 2020, just a few months after I was appointed as the superintendent of the Montgomery Independent School District and my 100-day
Chairman Buckley and distinguished members of the House Public Education Committee: Thank you for the opportunity to testify today. My name is Dr. Heath Morrison, and I am the CEO of Teachers of Tomorrow, the state’s largest alternative certifier of Texas educators. I have held this position for just over a year. As a career
School districts often struggle to balance the needs of all children under the financial constraints in which they operate annually. While this has long been the case, the severity of recent inflationary costs that all sectors have confronted across the country has been particularly impactful on public education. While an unprecedented infusion of federal funding
District legislative platform addresses school funding concerns The Montgomery ISD Board of Trustees held a regularly scheduled monthly meeting on Tuesday, October 18, 2022. During the meeting, tru…
Montgomery HS, Lake Creek HS students move on to regional competition Montgomery ISD students choir students completed the first round of auditions in the All-State selection process. Students from…
Trustees adopt 2022-23 course selection guide for secondary students During the November regular meeting of the Montgomery ISD Board of Trustees, district leadership announced that MISD has earned …
