AISD Board VP Paul Shanklin Completes Yearlong Development Program With TASB Leadership Class of 2024

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AISD Board Vice President Paul Shanklin recently concluded a yearlong development program with the Leadership Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) Class of 2024. Completing the program earned Shanklin the Master of Trustee designation, one of the highest designations recognized by TASB. 

Shanklin was one of 33 other professional school board members selected from across the State of Texas, representing districts of all sizes. He was also the sixth AISD board member to participate in the program. The TASB selects trustees based on a number of factors such as how well they demonstrate leadership with their local school board and community. 

“This program offered me insights on ALL the issues surrounding Public Education in the State of Texas,” said Shanklin. “I highly recommend it to any and all School Board Trustees in the area and State. I am truly humbled and honored to be part of this program.” 

School board members constructed Leadership TASB to provide experienced board trustees with enhanced leadership training and opportunities to serve Texas public school students better. The one-of-a-kind program aims to engage education leaders, give insight into issues, activities, and site visits. The yearlong program consisted of five sessions lasting two to three days, wrapping up in June at the Summer Leadership Institute in Fort Worth, TX. 

Each leadership cohort allows board trustees to work with other board members in the state by developing a professional network and relationships. In addition to strengthening leadership skills, the program also offers board members strategies for engaging with community members, identifying issues in public education, and better understanding of board governance in Texas. 

During the yearlong program, Shanklin, and other Trustees participated in convention sessions and training, and heard from nationally recognized speakers and experts in education. The Leadership TASB class was also given the opportunity to present their team’s findings on a year of  research on five critical issues facing Texas public education. 

Shanklin was appointed to fill the unexpired term of Dr. Alton Smith in December of 2014.

Mr. Shanklin is currently employed at Baker-Wotring, LLC as a Senior Attorney.  The Firm practices Environmental law and Civil Litigation. His practice includes personal injury litigation, general business matters, family law and probate matters.  He is certified by the National Institute of Trial Advocacy, serves as a Commissioner for the Harris County Courts, and is a Certified Ad Litem for the Family and Probate Courts of Harris County.

Mr. Shanklin is currently a commissioner on the board of the Harris County Housing Authority, where they develop policy and offer low income housing the residents of Harris County. For 10 years, Mr. Shanklin served as the Government affairs director for Harris County Commissioner Jack Cagle where he worked directly with Harris County Commissioners.  He has been immersed in issues impacted by the County Attorney’s office. On behalf of Harris County precinct 4, he served as liaison to the Harris County Appraisal District, Harris Health, as well as the Harris County Community Services Offices. Currently, he serves a Commissioner on the Board of the Harris County Housing Authority being appointed by the Harris County Commissioners Court.

In Addition to practicing law, Mr. Shanklin is an elected official serving as a Master Trustee on the Board of the Aldine Independent School District. He recently completed Training as Master Trustee through Leadership TASB. The trustees are called upon to serve the needs of the district and its school children not the wishes of a particular block of voters. To meet this end, the Texas Legislature has adopted a governance structure unique to the public education environment. Mr. Shanklin is very familiar with the legislation and the codes of enforcement.

Mr. Shanklin has been an adjunct professor at the Houston Community College Southeast Campus where he taught American and Texas Government and an adjunct professor at University of Houston-Downtown where he taught Critical Pedagogy and Multicultural Education.  He has been awarded certificates of appreciation from the Dayton, Aldine, Houston and Spring Branch independent school districts for his volunteer and educational work on behalf of those school districts.

Mr. Shanklin has extensive public service experience and served as the General Counsel for the United States Tennis Association-Texas Section, as well as a life member of the Houston Tennis Association and the United States Tennis Association.  He serves as an Executive Board Member for the Center for the Professional Development of Teachers at the University of Houston-Downtown.   He is on the Board of Directors for Dress Up Houston which provides clothing for the needy, and The Guardian Angels Academy, a charter school.  Mr. Shanklin also served on the Board of Directors of the Country Playhouse and is a member of the Houston Bar Association’s Speakers Bureau where he discusses social and legal trends in schools and civic organizations.

Additionally, Mr. Shanklin is a member of a number of lawyer organizations including the Houston Bar Association, the National Bar Association, the Young Lawyers Association, the American Bar Association, the American Immigration Lawyers Society and the Pro Bono College.