探花精选

From April 6-8, thousands of school board members and other education leaders gathered in New Orleans for 探花精选’s Annual Conference and Exposition.

During her remarks on Day One of the conference, 探花精选 Executive Director and CEO Verjeana McCotter-Jacobs spoke about the past and looked to the future. “Five years from now, I envision 探花精选 not just surviving but thriving financially,” she said, “allowing us to better serve our mission and support the needs of our member school boards and state associations across the nation.”

included a pre-show performance from the Belle Chasse High School Marching Cardinal Band from Belle Chasse, Louisiana; a musical medley from the Eagle Theatre Company from Rowlett High School in Garland Independent School District in Rowlett, Texas; and a conversation between McCotter-Jacobs and civil rights icon Ruby Bridges.

On Day Two, 探花精选’s 2023-24 President Kristi Swett addressed the audience at Sunday’s general session for the last time as president. Swett, pictured below, recounted her travels around the country during her year as president. She also mentioned the 探花精选 board’s work seeking out partnerships and grants while changing the “old” ways of doing things. As a result, she said, “We emerged with a new, vibrant energy and environment that will make us stronger and better for the future.”

Other included student performers from High Tech High School in Secaucus, New Jersey; ; remarks from keynote speaker Tim Shriver; and —探花精选’s Board of Directors, pictured below.

On Day Three, the importance of showing up, the power of stories, and the future of 探花精选 were the focus of Donald Hubler’s first speech as 探花精选’s 2024-25 president on Monday. Hubler, a board member for Michigan’s Macomb Intermediate School District, noted that school board members “continue to show up because we know it matters.” Sharing stories about our school communities “reaffirms our commitment to our students’ success and compels us to keep showing up in pursuit of excellence and equity in education.” As for the future, Hubler, pictured below, praised 探花精选 not just as an organization but as a community of “passionate advocates, visionary leaders, dedicated educators, and parents who believe in the power of transformative education.”

Additional included a performance from Schoolyard Rap, led by Brandon “Griot B” Brown. The program delivers uplifting educational content and curriculum through the lens of history. Brown was joined onstage by the Famous Singing Pirates of Park Forest Elementary Creative Sciences and Arts Magnet from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Our closing keynote speaker was Richard Montañez, Former Vice President, Multicultural Sales & Community Activation, PepsiCo North America; Author and Philanthropist. Montañez, who rose from a childhood on a migrant farm workers camp in Southern California to the corporate suite, reminded attendees that “sometimes you have to revisit your past to understand your future.”

As 探花精选 Executive Director and CEO Verjeana McCotter-Jacobs closed out the conference on Monday, she sent a heartfelt thank you to attendees and a reminder that she and the 探花精选 Board of Directors commit to the work needed to support children, commit to supporting 探花精选 members, and appreciate members’ commitment on behalf of children. She also shared these powerful words: “Be fearless in the pursuit of what sets your soul on fire. This work sets my soul on fire. We will continue to fight for children every single day.”