Aldine ISD Principal Tapped for Leadership Program at Harvard University

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Aisley Adams

Nimitz Ninth Grade School Principal Aisley Adams has been selected to participate in a professional development program designed to empower and inspire school leaders at the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

As part of the yearlong leadership program, Adams will take part in an institute at the Harvard University Graduate School of Education Principals’ Center in Cambridge, Mass., paid for by the Raise Your Hand Texas Foundation.

Adams, currently in her first year as principal at Nimitz Ninth, applied for the chance to earn a spot in the 2020 cohort. She has been accepted into the Art of Leadership Institute. The program provides campus leadership teams the opportunity to expand their leadership skills. They will also explore new ways to enhance student learning and create success for themselves, their leadership team, and their school.

The Leadership: An Evolving Vision institute is the other institute principals serving Texas public schools are eligible to attend. Each institute is a week-long professional development summer course taught by faculty at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Typically, the cohort would attend Harvard for the summer portion of the program. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the courses will be held virtually.

Adams and other attendees will join education leaders from around the globe and engage in training and workshops led by international education and leadership experts. The participants will learn to apply research, and best practices focused on enhancing student engagement. They will deepen their understanding of how students learn from improving the quality of the teaching staff to shaping school culture and equity. They will also develop more sophisticated techniques for managing innovation and change.

Raise Your Hand Texas, selects about 100 educators each year to take part, covering all the expenses – investing, on average, about $9,200 per attendee.

Adams sees the opportunity to grow as a leader. She is looking forward to working with and establishing connections with other school leaders this summer. Adams added that participants also have the option to participate in Harvard’s virtual course Leading Schools.

“It is an honor to have been chosen by Raise Your Hand Texas,” Adams said. “I am excited about the impact this will have on students at Nimitz Ninth, colleagues, and the district. This cohort is an opportunity to transform learning and instruction that positively impact our students. They deserve first-class instruction, grounded in meaningful relationships.”

The program requires Adams’ to conduct pre-planning, goal setting, and reading before attending the institute. She will share with institute scholars her campus data and performance plan for review and feedback. She will be responsible for taking part in group and individual presentations during and after the institute, as well as monthly meetings with the other participating principals and a site visit to Nimitz Ninth Grade School.

Adams has 13 years of experience in education, with two of those years in Aldine ISD. She previously served as a skills specialist in the 2013-2014 school year and returned in March of 2019 as principal of Nimitz Ninth. Over the years, she has served in many capacities, including teacher, curriculum coordinator, and dean of instruction.

Adams is “paying it forward” in honor of the teachers that impacted her life. She seeks to be a voice and advocate for her students, teachers, and families.

“Public education is essential to our society. Every child deserves a high-quality educational experience. We must prepare students for success in life after they graduate. Leadership matters to improve public education. The decisions made by leadership directly impacts teachers and students. I believe in the power of public education. It can truly change one’s trajectory in life for the better.”