10/19/09

The 27th Annual Administrative Leadership Institute (ALI) will honor Jeffrey Hanks, superintendent of Burnet Consolidated Independent School District (CISD), with the John R. Hoyle Award for Educational Leadership on Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2009.

Hanks, a 27-year veteran of public education, has spent the past 17 years as an administrator in three school districts. Prior to his current position, he was a high school principal in Palestine and Cayuga ISDs. When he took on the role of superintendent of Burnet CISD, Hanks envisioned a bright future for the school district.

“Over the course of the past eight years, the district has evolved to a more student-centered focus with an increase in local district student expectations and an even stronger academic emphasis under the direction of Mr. Hanks,” says Judi Whitis, assistant superintendent of Burnet CISD.

“Mr. Hanks is a true champion of the ‘generic kid,’ even to the extent of challenging all staff to think about what they do on a daily basis for every single child under our care,” she adds.

Hanks believes that at the end of the day, educators have one task to fulfill.

“We must inspire our students to strive for excellence in their every endeavor and to not settle for anything less,” Hanks says. “The end product of these endeavors is to benefit the greater good of the community and the society in which they live.”

A student himself, Hanks is pursuing his doctorate in K-12 educational administration at Texas A&M University. He says John Hoyle, retired professor of K-12 administration in the Department of Educational Administration and Human Resource Development, is the ultimate example of a leader.

The Hoyle award, named after John Hoyle, honors individuals who have made a difference in the lives of children.

Hanks will be honored at the ALI opening banquet at the Miramont Country Club in Bryan, on Nov. 18, 2009, at 6 p.m. The opening banquet is part of the 2009 ALI Conference, to be held Nov. 18-19. This year’s conference theme is Leaders of Leaders in Secondary Schools: the Superintendent and Leadership Team.

For more information on the conference or to register, visit http://eahr.tamu.edu/articles/administrative_leadership_institute. Questions also may be addressed to Virginia Collier at vcollier@tamu.edu or 979.862.1336. Registration deadline is Friday, Oct. 30.

Sponsored by the Department of Educational Administration and Human Resource Development at Texas A&M, the Texas Association of School Administrators and PBK, ALI is designed to focus on a critical issue that will help school leaders create or transform schools to help all children become successful students and people.