Communities In Schools Hosts Top U.S. Education Leaders during SXSW EDU in Austin
The U.S. Department of Education’s March 5 visit to Govalle Elementary School during SXSW EDU 2024 was a testament to the power of collaboration and dedication to student success.
Joined by senior department officials, Communities in Schools® (CIS®) President and CEO Rey Saldaña, AmeriCorps CEO Michael D. Smith, Austin Independent School District Superintendent Matias Segura, and Govalle administrators, U.S. Deputy Secretary of Education Cindy Marten witnessed firsthand the impact of the National Partnership for Student Success (NPSS).
The NPSS is a national initiative launched in July 2022 following a call to action from the Biden-Harris Administration for more Americans to serve as tutors, mentors, college/career advisors, student success coaches, and integrated student support coordinators to provide young people with supportive learning environments and experiences.
Hosted by Communities In Schools of Central Texas (CISCT), the site visit highlighted the critical role organizations play in empowering students to stay in school, succeed academically, and thrive in life. Marten and other national leaders toured the Govalle campus and engaged in a roundtable discussion facilitated by CISCT CEO Sharon Vigil.
“To be able to have real, meaningful partnerships like this and the way you all just described, not just what you do but how you do it and why you do it, you give the teachers what they need to be able to teach the students. You’re removing the barriers that get in the way. And I just thought, ‘In my 10 years as a principal, where were you?’ This is fabulous.”
– Cindy Marten, U.S. Deputy Secretary of Education
The event garnered media attention, with reporters from Politico and the Austin American Statesman attending. Check out media coverage here.
Following the site visit, Saldaña, alongside leaders from AmeriCorps and grantee organizations City Year and Teach for America, participated in the “30 Years & Beyond: AmeriCorps’ Impact on Education” panel at SXSW EDU. Panelists reflected on AmeriCorps' profound impact over the past three decades and discussed strategies for the future.
“SXSW EDU provided a great opportunity to connect with colleagues, partners, and allies while also gaining valuable insights from education innovators. The AmeriCorps panel was particularly inspiring, highlighting the incredible impact the organization's had in the lives of students over 30 years,” Harrington said.
