On May 21, participants in this year's UpClose program were honored during a ceremony graduation ceremony at the Baker Center.
During the past year, participants learned about the district's curriculum and instruction, safety and security, campus operations, human capital, HB5 and graduation plans, budget and finance, district operations, and board governance.
The class was divided into four groups, each of which worked with a school to help improve literacy rates and increase attendance rates. The four schools were:
- Literacy (Linder Elementary School)
- Literacy (Bertha Sadler Means Young Women’s Leadership Academy)
- Attendance (Uphaus Early Childhood Center)
- Attendance (Mendez Middle School)
More than 250 community members and parents have gone through the free program since it began in 2007.
AISD UpClose graduates are challenged to become leaders and advocates for the district, to volunteer on committees and task forces, to speak up when misinformation circulates and to encourage other parents and community members to get informed and involved.
Applications for the 2016 class are now available. The deadline to apply is July 24.
Please contact Linda Medina-Lopez at 512-414-9706 or email linda.medina@austinisd.org, for more information.
2015 AISD UpClose graduates
- Celso Baez III
- Kelly Ballard
- Richard Barner
- Hans (Chris) Blumentritt
- Andria Castillo
- Rabecca Cross
- Janis Daemmrich
- Kevin-Michael Foster
- Daniel Grant
- Elizabeth Gray
- Melanie Greene
- Shira Ledman
- Linc Leifeste
- Nichole Lopez-Riley
- Melissa Madole
- Shayna Molinar
- Hilary "Huddie" Murray
- James Nortey
- Edward Olmeda
- Judy Paciocco
- Ashley Phillips
- Celeste Roll
- Karla Salas
- Shebah Spears
- Leslie Weston
- Sharon Yarbrough