NE Texas/SW Arkansas NETABSE Middle School Conference

“HELPING YOUTH TO BECOME LEADERS /EDUCATORS”

Texarkana A & M University Campus

February 8, 2019

NETABSE Middle School Conference

“Helping Youth to Become Leaders /Educators”

Contents

CONFERENCE MISSION/NETABSE OFFICERS PAGE 2

HISTORY OF NETABSE (IN CAPSULE) PAGE 3

NETABSE PRESIDENT MR. PAUL NORTON PAGES 4 & 5

KEYNOTE SPEAKER MRS. MARIE FERDINAND-HARRIS PAGES 6 & 7

KEYNOTE SPEAKER TABSE PRESIDENT DR. KIMBERLY MCLEOD PAGES 8 & 9

CONFERENCE SCHEDULE PAGE 10

SESSION TITLES AND DESCRIPTIONS PAGE 11

SESSION PRESENTERS--BIOGRAPHIES PAGES 12--16

THANKS AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS PAGE 17

PARTICIPATING SCHOOL DISTRICTS PAGE 18

SPECIAL THANKS PAGE 19

TEXAS A & M UNIVERSITY CAMPUS MAP—SESSION LOCATION GUIDE FOR PAGE 20 UNIVERSITY CENTER AND PATTERSON STUDENT CENTER

NETABSE Middle School Conference

“Helping Youth to Become Leaders /Educators”

Conference Mission

The NETBASE Middle School Conference, “Helping Youth to Become Leaders/Educators”, will strive to promote the ideals of the education profession and encourage our youth to attain higher levels of academic, social, and principled character. The conference will endeavor to highlight all the careers available in a school district.

NETABSE Officers, 2019-2020 Term

Paul Norton, President Toney Favors, President Elect Lee Williams, 1st Vice President Ronnie Thompson, 2nd Vice President James Keeton, Immediate Past President Dr. Sandra Austin, Recording Secretary & Middle School Conference Chair Patricia Barlow, Assistant Secretary Brittney Brookes, Treasurer Jo Ann Rice, Financial Secretary Jasmine Gill, Correspondence Secretary Jesse Keeton, Parliamentarian and Faith-Based Contact Chair LaMoya Burks and Robert Jones, Historiographer & Historian Dr. James Morris, Chaplain Brittney Baker, Community/Engagement & Hospitality Chair Barbara Adkins-Sears, Website Chair Matt Fry, Social Media/Online Conference Registration Chair

History of NETABSE (In capsule)

Northeast Texas Alliance of Black School Educators (NETABSE) began in Texarkana in the spring of 2013, It has its roots in the history of the National Alliance of Black School Educators which began on November 20, 1970. Dr. Charles D. Moody, Sr., while preparing a dissertation, met with a group of African-American superintendents at the O'Hare Marriott Hotel in Chicago, Illinois. They shared concerns and labored to create a resource pool, as well as an organization of Black school superintendents. The superintendents formally organized the National Alliance of Black School Superintendents (NABSS) during a subsequent meeting in Miami, Florida.

The organization’s name was renamed the National Alliance of Black School Educators (NABSE) on April 19, 1973 as a result of the vote to include administrators and other educational personnel in the organization. The formal launching of NABSE took place on November 23, 1973 in Detroit, Michigan. The organization consisted of 284 charter members. The first national office became active in Washington, D.C. on January 20, 1979. The NABSE paved the way for the development of the state and local branches.

The Texas Alliance of Black School Educators started on December 5-6, 1986 in Austin Texas. Central was the formation of a statewide organization that would vocalize educational issues affecting African American students and to express to the State Government the issues affecting educators of African American students. Thus, the Texas Alliance of Black School Educators (TABSE) emerged and gained charter on November 12, 1987.

In the spring of 2013, Texarkana community members Dr. Ceretha Levingston, Dan Haskins, and James Keeton sent requests to Texarkana College, Texas A & M University, Texarkana Independent School District, Pleasant Grove Independent School District and Texarkana Arkansas School District asking that they send representatives to the Liberty Eylau School District’s Middle School Library to meet and plan the founding of Northeast Texas Alliance of Black School Educators

Networking to establish the local unit, the attendees at the initial meeting of the NETABSE were Dr. Ceretha Brown Levingston, Dan Haskins, James Keeton, James Henry Russell, Paul Norton, Jo Ann Rice, Dr. Sandra Austin, Ella Austin, Barry Baker, Ben Carson, LaMarcus Franklin, and Brenda Stewart. At subsequent meetings, the group grew and did the necessary work to become the first Chapter of its nature in Bowie, Miller or Cass counties. They forged new territory as the group became the first such partnership in upper East Texas.

Cite: National Alliance of Black School Educators: http://www.nabse.org/aboutus.html and TABSE History: Texas Alliance of Black School Educators: www.tabse.net/tabse-history/ Accessed 12/16/2015.

Northeast Texas Alliance of Black School Educators

Mr. Paul Norton, President

Mr. Paul Norton, Superintendent Texarkana Independent School District

Northeast Texas Alliance of Black School Educators

From the President:

Dear Students,

It is an honor to proclaim this day, February 8, 2019, as Northeast Texas Alliance of Black School Educators (NETABSE) Youth Symposium Day in Texarkana, Arkansas/Texas. Today's event is our Third Annual NETABSE Middle School Conference, uniting students of area Northeast Texas school districts: Clarksville ISD, Liberty Eylau ISD, Pleasant Grove ISD, Texarkana ISD and Texarkana Arkansas School District. You are welcome to a day of sharing knowledge, discussing possibilities that lie ahead, and forging your way to a successful future. You can look forward to the amazing camaraderie, valuable skill-building opportunities, and most importantly, lots of fun. At the end of the day, we know this is an event you will always remember.

NETABSE encourages you to explore your interest in the Education field. We work diligently to expand our teacher workforce in our local area, especially teachers from diverse ethnic groups. We believe it is necessary to help develop area educators who will give back to our community and ensure the success of tomorrow’s students. If you are considering a career in Education, your school district will provide a curriculum pathway, preparing you for this career plan. Our higher education institutions Texarkana College, Texas A & M University (Texarkana), and the University of Arkansas (Hope-Texarkana) are always available to help you make decisions that will ensure your success in your prospective educational career.

Teaching is a noble profession that shapes the character, caliber, and future of every student. A great teacher can inspire hope, ignite the imagination, and instill a love of learning in those whose lives they impact. It is a demanding career, but it produces immense rewards. Take full advantage of your experiences here. Many wanted to attend, but you earned the opportunity. Always remember that teaching is the profession that teaches all other professions. Your future begins today!

Sincerely,

Paul Norton, NETABSE President

NETABSE Middle School Conference

MARIE FERDINAND-HARRIS Former Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) Athlete

KEYNOTE SPEAKER (GENERAL SESSION I)

“I am a proud example of someone who has dealt with many adversities throughout childhood, but used sports as a vehicle to win in life.” ~ MARIE FERDINAND-HARRIS

NETABSE Middle School Conference

MARIE FERDINAND-HARRIS Former Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) Athlete

KEYNOTE SPEAKER (GENERAL SESSION I)

Marie Ferdinand-Harris, a former shooting guard, is the first Haitian American to have played in the WNBA. At the age of 13, in middle school, an announcement made over the intercom changed the course of Ferdinand-Harris' future. She dreamed of an opportunity to go to college, whereas education was two-fold – first, to secure a better future for her family and second, to be a trailblazer for other students like her who never imagined or dared to dream big and who lacked hope. Raised by her mother, a single parent, the fifth child of eight children, in a school district with very low expectations for students like her, Ferdinand-Harris was always looking for an opportunity to succeed instead of having an excuse to fail. The intercom announcement for basketball tryouts offered that opportunity and forever changed her life. “Any and everywhere I saw a little light, I saw home and my determination propelled me forward.” My unwillingness to give up drove me to prove the “Naysayers” wrong.

Ferdinand-Harris, is a Miami native who led Miami Edison High School to a state basketball championship as a sophomore and was named Florida Prep Player of the Year in 1995. She attended Louisiana State University (LSU) where she became one of only four players in the women’s basketball program’s history to record at least 1,500 points, 500 rebounds, 300 assists and 200 steals. She was inducted into the LSU Athletic Hall of Fame in 2007 and was also a member of the 2000 NCAA USA Women’s Basketball select team that won the gold medal at the Jones Cup in Taipei, Taiwan. In 2001, Ferdinand-Harris the WNBA Utah Starz drafted her as their 8th overall pick. She was named a WNBA All-Star in 2002, 2003 and 2005, retiring in 2012.

Since her retirement from professional basketball, Ferdinand-Harris has jumpstarted motivational speaking circuits and developed her Ultimate Team-Mate workshop. Her experiences as a professional basketball player have taught her to embrace any position, whether a starter, a role player, or a player sitting on the bench. This ability has empowered her to be the “Ultimate Teammate" both on and off the court, and her passion is to empower others. She also devotes her time to the Marie Ferdinand Foundation (MFF) founded in 2009. MFF’s mission is to promote girls’ education and use the sport of basketball to help them reach their full potential and win in life.

NETABSE Middle School Conference

KEYNOTE SPEAKER (General Session II)

Dr. Kimberly McLeod, TABSE President

Assistant Superintendent of Education and Enrichment at the Harris County Department of Education

NETABSE Middle School Conference

Dr. Kimberly McLeod, TABSE President Assistant Superintendent of Education and Enrichment at the Harris County Department of Education

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

General Session II

Dr. Kimberly McLeod has spent her professional career in public education. She has held various positions in the public school setting, including that of a teacher, counselor, professor and administrator. She has presented her research and professional training nationally and internationally for over a decade.

Her unique delivery style is research-based, reflective, and engaging. She has presented as a keynote and an invited speaker to teachers, administrators, school board trustees, and students in a number of districts, as well as at national and international conferences.

Dr. McLeod is President of the Texas Alliance of Black School Educators and the founding editor of the nationally peer reviewed National Journal of Urban Education and has written eight academic books, three children’s books, and over 12 articles in various peer reviewed journals. She has been awarded Teacher of the Year by the College of Education at Texas Southern University and was selected as an award recipient of the YMCA Minority Achiever’s Award. After serving 9 years at the K-12 level and 12 years in higher education, she currently serves as the Assistant Superintendent of Education and Enrichment at the Harris County Department of Education.

NETABSE Middle School Conference “HELPING YOUTH TO BECOME LEADERS /EDUCATORS”

Texas A & M University Campus

February 8, 2019

Schedule

Registration/Breakfast/Meet & Greet 8:00-8:50 AM (Patterson Student Center)

General Assembly I 9:00-9:45 AM (Patterson Student Center)

Session 1 9:55-10:35 AM (See student’s schedule)

Session 2 10:40-11:20 AM (See student’s schedule)

Lunch 11:25-11:55 AM (Patterson Student Center)

Session 3 12:00 NOON-12:40 PM (See student’s schedule)

General Assembly II Classroom Speakers’ Presentations 12:45-12:55 PM *All classroom speakers report to Patterson Student Center. (Patterson Student Center)

12:55-1:40 PM General Assembly II (Patterson Student Center)

Students Return to Home Campuses 1:40-2:00 PM

NETABSE Middle School Conference Session Titles and Descriptions

1. A World of Careers in Education - This workshop will cover multiple careers in Education. Participants will be introduced to various jobs in the field and the pathway to reaching their career goals. Mrs. Robin Hickerson and Mrs. Rachel Scott, Location: University Center, Room # 231

2. What’s Next: Life After High School – Discussions will focus on making a decision to attend college, military, or to choose a specific trade. Participants will develop a clear understanding of how important that decision is in regard to fulfilling their life’s purpose. Mrs. Betty Stark, Location: University Center, Room # 217

3. Getting Involved: The Place Where Student Power Exists - This session will center on learning the importance of school and community involvement. Participants will learn that their involvement will equip them to become a community leader. Mr. Brandon Washington, Location: University Center, Room #241

4. VOTE: The Campaign of Life - Presenters will relay the importance of voting in school, collegian, city, and U.S. elections. Mr. Derrick McGary and Mr. Lee Williams, Location: University Center, Room #243

5. The “Me” That Nobody Knows: Communication Skills vs. Presentation Skills – The presentation will focus on the importance of communication and presentation skills. Students will learn how to introduce themselves in a meeting, classroom, and community setting. This session will encourage growth of self- confidence. Mr. Robert Jones, Location: University Center, Room #242

6. Dress for Success: Looking for a job, how should you present yourself? - This session will help students gain awareness of what is appropriate clothing for a job search and interview. They will learn how to sharpen their personal appearance when looking for and applying for a job. Mrs. LaTonya McElroy, Location: University Center, Room # 229

7. ABC’s of Finance: Red River Federal Credit Union - Attendees will learn tips on money management. Mrs. Emily Bright (Red River Federal Credit Union), Location: University Center, Room # 230

8. Funding your College Education-- This session informs attendees about the following: A) What students need to do now to plan for paying for college, B) How important grades are in relation to earning scholarships, C) Exploring an affordable, but quality education, etc. D) How to get admitted into college. Mrs. Madie Westmoreland, Location: University Center, Room # 249

9. Make $200 A Day and Have Your Weekends Off—Information will be provided on college courses that a prospective teacher may take, advantages and challenges of being a teacher, tips on how to become a certified teacher, finding a teaching job after college. Ms. Melva Flowers, Location: University Center, Room #216

10. The Balancing Act—Speakers will deliver information on how to manage personal, educational, and employment responsibilities now and beyond. Mrs. Trina Johnson and Mrs. Dana McAdoo, Location: University Center, Room #251

11. Follow Your PATH to Reaching Your Goal!--Participants will interact with university/college students who are beating the odds while working towards academic success. Included will be question and answer discussions about educational guidance, support, and mentoring. PATH Students of TAMUT and BSA Students of Texarkana College. Location: University Center, Room #210

NETABSE Middle School Conference Session Presenters

Black Student Association (BSA) of Texarkana College promotes community service, cultural heritage awareness, and academic success among African-American college students.

Mrs. Emily Bright is Coordinator of Student Services and Business Development with Red River Federal Credit Union. She also develops financial awareness and management among young people. The company is one of the largest financial institutions in Texarkana, extending services to area cities.

Ms. Melva Flowers graduated from Texas High School, Texarkana College School of Nursing, and Texas A&M University (Texarkana) where she received her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees. She is a licensed social worker and is retired from the local Social Security Administration where she was a claims representative. She is an Adjunct Professor and Academic Retention Advisor for Texarkana College. Ms. Flowers is a member of the Texarkana Independent School District (TISD) Diversity Committee, member and past Board President of the TISD Foundation, member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Kappa XI Omega Chapter. She is a life member of the NAACP and a member of the New Zion Missionary Baptist Church. Her numerous awards and recognitions include the following: Wilbur Smith Community Service Award, Zeta Phi Beta/Phi Beta Sigma Harriett Tubman Award (Tribute to African American Women), Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Soror of the Year (Kappa XI Omega Chapter), Omega Psi Phi Fraternity’s Perseverance Award, Greater Texarkana Branch of NAACP President’s Award, and President George Bush President’s Citation Award for her volunteer work with Hurricane Katrina victims.

Mrs. Robin Hickerson has spent her entire career working in schools with a diverse student population. Before becoming Assistant Superintendent for Secondary Education at Texarkana Arkansas School District, she served as the principal of Arkansas High School. Also, she has been an educator in the Texarkana Independent School District, Texarkana, Texas. Her awards and honors include: Teacher of the Year for Pine Street Middle School (Texarkana, TX); Arkansas Middle Level Principal of the Year in 2007; National Distinguished Principal; Administrator Who Makes a Difference (Arkansas Middle Level Association in 2006 and 2009; Distinguished Alumni Award from Texas A & M University (Texarkana). Under her leadership as principal of College Hill Middle School, the campus received the prestigious Shannon Wright Award for outstanding middle school in Arkansas. Mrs. Hickerson was recently given the responsibility of overseeing a $14.7 million dollar magnet grant and K-12 curriculum and instruction for the Texarkana Arkansas School District. She is also Human Resource Coordinator for the school district.

NETABSE Middle School Conference Session Presenters

Mrs. Trina Johnson is a graduate of Liberty-Eylau High School and has worked in the counseling center at Texas High School for 8 years. She received a degree from the University of Tennessee (Martin) and Missouri State University (Springfield) where she received her Master of Social Work. During her one year graduate program, she was a graduate assistant and awarded Field Concentration Student of the Year for her work with the Boys and Girls Club and Pipkin Middle School. Mrs. Johnson has provided social services for over 18 years in schools, hospitals, and mental health facilities. She is a member of Polly Chapel Baptist Church, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated, and sustainer of Junior League Texarkana. She has been married to her college sweetheart, David for 16 years.

Mr. Robert Jones serves as the Dean of Students at Texarkana College in Texarkana, Texas. During much of his professional career, Mr. Jones has taught mathematics and has been a professor of Mathematics at Texarkana College. He has spent an extensive amount of time encouraging students, assisting them academically, and helping them to realize their educational goals. Among his community service responsibilities, Mr. Jones is President of the Greater Texarkana NAACP. Mr. Jones is passionate about students’ academic success and community involvement in sociopolitical concerns.

Mrs. Dana McAdoo is the Texas High School Counselor at Texarkana ISD. She has been employed as a professional school counselor for 18 years. Mrs. McAdoo began her career at De Kalb High School (Texas), teaching Social Studies classes, among which have included U. S. Government, Economics, Geography, and Criminal Justice. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas and a Master of Science degree in Counseling Psychology from Texas A & M University-Texarkana. Mrs. McAdoo loves helping students improve their coping skills. She is a member of First Baptist Church in Texarkana and assists with the Life Healing Ministry of Divorce Care.

NETABSE Middle School Conference Session Presenters

Mrs. Latonya McElroy is a graduate of Liberty Eylau High School. Since entering Human Resources in 2005, she has enjoyed creating, implementing, and facilitating employee development training programs and successfully piloted her own program “Six Essentials of Service Excellence”. After obtaining her BAAS degree in Administrative Leadership in 2009 from Texas A&M University (Texarkana), she went on to complete her Master of Business Administration degree in 2014. Mrs. McElroy has served as the Human Resources Coordinator at the Texarkana Independent School District (TISD) where she focused on staffing, recruitment, and administrative support training and has served as the Director of Human Resources at Mayo Manufacturing. She attained her Professional in Human Resources (PHR) designation in 2010 and the Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) designation in 2015. Presently, Mrs. McElroy is the Vice President of Human Resources at BCS FM Solutions in Texarkana. She is an active member and minister at Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church, serving as a Youth Director and teaching Bible study and Sunday School for teens and adults. LaTonya and her husband, Minister Arthur, have five children and one grandchild. Mrs. McElroy believes that “you can do anything, with a little faith in whom God made you, and a lot of hard work and diligence --IF you’re willing to push past the obstacles along the way.”

Mr. Derrick McGary is a lifelong resident of Texarkana. He attended Texas High School, Texarkana College, and Texas A&M University (Texarkana) from which he earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree. He has a passion for the Texarkana community and has served or is currently serving on several boards and organizations, including the Texarkana College Board of Trustees, CHRISTUS St. Michael Health Care System, the Texarkana Chamber of Commerce, Texarkana Symphony Orchestra, and the Texarkana Public Schools Foundation. He was the youngest member ever elected to the Texarkana, Texas City Council at age 21 and served from 1997-2012. Mr. McGary is a State Farm Insurance agent, the first African-American in Texarkana to be granted an agency in the company’s 96-year history. His passion is making sure individuals and families are well-protected so that they are able to realize their dreams.

PATH is the acronym for The Personal Achievement Through Help. It is a mentorship program for African-American males and is designed to encourage and support students through guidance and engagement for their academic and personal success. Cite: Texas A & M University-Texarkana http://www.tamut.edu/Academics/Student-Support/PATH/index.html

NETABSE Middle School Conference Session Presenters

Mrs. Rachel Scott is the Magnet Director for Texarkana Arkansas School District in southwest Arkansas. Her other roles in Education include Magnet Coordinator, Instructional Technology Specialist, and High School Chemistry Teacher. She is certified as a Project-Based Learning Coach through a district partnership with the Buck Institute for Education. Mrs. Scott earned her Bachelor of General Studies and Master of Science in Instructional Technology degrees from Texas A&M University (Texarkana), her Education Specialist certification from Arkansas State University, and is pursuing her doctorate in Educational Technology from the University of Florida. Rachel has presented locally and nationally on building capacity for technology integration, theme-based education, and project-based learning. She received the Texarkana Regional Arts and Humanities Council (TRACH) ArtsSmart Award in 2016.

Mrs. Bettie Lynn Stark is Associate Principal for College and Career Readiness at Texas High School (Texarkana ISD) from which she also graduated. She attended and graduated from Texas A&M University at College Station and holds a Master of Education Administration and Master of Business Administration. Mrs. Stark has worked in Texarkana ISD for 13 years. She and her husband Joe Stark have two children, Elizabeth and Sarah Stark.

Mr. Brandon Washington has served in Texarkana Independent School District as a football coach at Texas High School and as an assistant principal at Wake Village Elementary School. After graduating from Texas High School, he attended and attained his higher education degree at the University of Arkansas (Fayetteville). He is active in the Texarkana community. Mr. Washington is currently the Dean of Workforce and Community & Business Education at Texarkana College; Texarkana, Texas.

Mrs. Madie Westmoreland is the Financial Aid Processing Coordinator at Texas A & M University –Texarkana. In 2008, she graduated from Genoa High School in Arkansas. She attended Southern Arkansas University (SAU Magnolia) and earned a Bachelor’s degree in General Studies. Mrs. Westmoreland is pursuing a Master’s of Education in Student Affairs and College Counseling from Southern Arkansas University-Magnolia. She began her career in Financial Aid in 2014 and joined the staff at Texas A&M University–Texarkana in August of 2018. In her position, she manages the electronic processing of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) applications, as well as disburses financial aid funds. Westmoreland assists in the Veterans Services office as a Secondary School Certifying Official assisting military community students with the procedures that enable them to use their Veterans’ Administration (VA) education benefits. Westmoreland is passionate about Higher Education.

NETABSE Middle School Conference Session Presenters

Mr. Lee Williams III is an educator, mentor, and motivational speaker who has been involved in higher education for the past thirteen years. In 2012, he became the Director of Admissions and Educational Opportunity Center at Texarkana College in Texarkana, Texas, a position in which he continues to serve. Mr. Williams realigned the College’s admissions processes, redeveloped student orientation, implemented a communication plan for prospective students. As a leader, he is known for his ability to mobilize people, Williams has assisted hundreds of adults both young and old discover their potential through education. Determined to be different, Lee earned a bachelor’s degree in English Literature from Wilberforce University in Wilberforce, Ohio—the nation’s oldest private historically black college. While at Wilberforce University, Williams was active in student government and student affairs, developing a passion for strategic planning, implementation, and management. Fighting a childhood speech impediment, Lee has had the opportunity to speak in front of thousands throughout the United States promoting the importance of striving for excellence in all aspects of life. Born and raised in Los Angeles, California, Lee is the son of a Baptist minister and retired social security representative who both modeled the importance of integrity, hard work and commitment.

NETABSE Middle School Conference

Thanks

The Northeast Texas Alliance of Black School Educators extends sincere gratitude to the following individuals and entities for their support and assistance in bringing a venue for educational growth and development to Eight Grade students of the Texarkana area schools. The Middle School Conference would not have been a success without your contribution to and interest in the improvement of educational experiences for youth.

Host

Texas A & M University-Texarkana Dr. Emily Cutrer, President