A&M International Schedules Partnership Educator Rally

Local educators will have an opportunity to recharge for Fall with the presentation of the second annual "Partnership Educator Rally" by Texas A&M International University's College of Education on Saturday, Aug. 18 from 8:30-11:30 a.m. in the Kinesiology--Convocation Building.

Dubbed "Hooked on the Joys of Living and Giving," the morning event is co-hosted by The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents Initiative for Texas Public Schools.

The event will feature a special keynote address by Dr. Stephen Lundin, one of the co-authors of The New York Times' bestseller, Fish! A Remarkable Way to Boost Morale and Improve Results.

Event organizer Teresa Hein, Regents Initiative coordinator, said the Rally is part of a long-range series of activities and initiatives designed to provide partner campuses opportunities for growth and professional development.

"We thought our guest speakers would provide a remarkable and motivational message that transcends the workplace and affords educators a chance to see the joy of living and giving as an educator. We believe our partner campus members will find this message will have daily resonance," Hein said.

Along with co-authors Harry Paul and John Christensen, Lundin has crafted a management parable that takes its inspiration from the fun-loving fish-mongers at Seattle's famed Pike Place Market. The book's heroine, Mary Jane Ramirez, is a recently widowed mother of two who is asked to engineer a turnaround for a troubled company's operations department. Most advise her to cut her losses and move on, but instead she helps to create a fun and happy workplace which fuels all-around success.

The Rally will also feature a guest performance of "The Faculty Lounge" by Debbie Lauer of the Wavelength Comedy Troupe from Chicago.

Partnership members from the United Independent School District include Clark, Finley, Garcia, D. D. Hachar, Juarez-Lincoln, Los Obispos, Kazen, Kennedy-Zapata, Perez, Roosevelt, Ruiz, Salinas, and Zaffirini Elementary Schools; Clark and United South Middle Schools, United High School and United South High School.

Partnership members from the Laredo Independent School District include, Dovalina, D. D. Hachar, Leyendecker, Ligarde, Milton, Macdonell, Ryan, Tarver Elementary Schools; Cigarroa and Memorial Middle Schools and Cigarroa High School.

The Regents Initiative is a state-wide effort aimed at utilizing the collective resources of the A&M System, of which A&M International is a member, to address educational issues of common concern. Hein is The College's director of Regents Initiative activities.

Funding for The Regents' Initiative is provided by The Meadows Foundation, The Pew Charitable Trusts, Sid W. Richardson Foundation, The Texas A&M University System, the Texas Education Agency and the U.S. Department of Education.

For additional information on the Regents Initiative, please contact Hein at 326.2694, email to thein@tamiu.edu or visit offices in the Killam Library, room 322 D.

Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Affairs and Information Services at pais@tamiu.edu