Davis named Master Trustee by Texas Association of School Boards

By WENDY SLEDD

Special to the Leader-Press

Copperas Cove ISD school board member Ann Davis earned the designation of Master Trustee upon completion of Leadership TASB, a program sponsored by the Texas Association of School Boards.

During the training’s fifth and final session this summer, school board members in the 2021–22 Leadership TASB class made presentations of their team’s findings following yearlong research. Class participants researched critical issues and their impact on Texas public education.

“I’ve been CCISD’s legislative advisory committee member since 2019, but this year, I truly learned what my role is and how to be represent Copperas Cove,” Davis said. “Other notable lessons were in understanding my leadership style using socio communicative tools, learning how systemic changes effect students at every level in every district, and sight visits to other school districts helped me understand the economic challenges with construction materials, while also seeing the innovative ways other districts are choosing to educate their students and staff from community gardens to partnering with community organizations directly in schools.”

The 2022 Leadership TASB class, composed of only 36 school board members from across the state, represents Texas school districts of all sizes and property wealth. Participants who completed all required elements of the study program earned Master Trustee status, the highest designation recognized by TASB, after a yearlong commitment of learning.

“Balancing the coursework with everyday life was definitely the most challenging as a full-time working mom,” Davis said. “We had to commit to being away from home for three and a half days and we were in class from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. very often.”

Davis joins the ranks of more than 900 school board members statewide who are Leadership TASB alumni.

“One of the best benefits is having a consortium of LTASB alumni to call upon as subject matter experts. The connections to other districts of varying sizes and levels of diversity are priceless. There are some great trustees from other districts in my cohort and I learned more valuables lessons than I can count,” Davis said. “This experience prepared me for advocacy in action on behalf of students with tangible tools to reference, substantial governance connections, and gave me an enhanced appreciation for our district and our leadership.”

The Leadership TASB class met in conjunction with TASB’s Summer Leadership Institute in Fort Worth. More than 1,000 new and veteran school leaders attended the Institute and received extensive training on every facet of effective board governance, heard keynote addresses from renowned education experts, and picked up valuable ideas from district showcases and networking opportunities.

Davis will be honored at the Aug. 16 CCISD Board Meeting with her Leadership TASB diploma.