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Highlights from
Texas ACE 2010 Annual Conference
Achieving Critical Success
August 3-4, 2010 in Austin, TX
Renaissance Austin Hotel at the Arboretum
Excitement was in the air as approximately 500 ACE participants, including Project Directors and Center staff convened in Austin at the ACE 2010 Annual Conference, Achieving Critical Success. The two-day conference held August 3rd – 4th in Austin provided participants the opportunity to attend innovative sessions that can be readily applied to their day to day work.
Gina Day, TEA Deputy Associate Commissioner and Candace Ferguson, TEA 21st CCLC State Coordinator/Program Manger welcomed ACE attendees with an inspiring message about the
impact the ACE Program is having in communities across Texas. The conference kicked off with a compelling keynote from Dr. Janet Zadina, an educational neuroscientist who sees her research through the eyes of a teacher. Attendees were given a view of the inside of the brain to offer a new understanding of the nature of learning. Participants left this session energized and with a new knowledge about these impactful strategies for addressing learning differences in ACE students. Highlights of the conference included sessions on the new TX21st system enhancements, creative approaches for achieving academic success, and strategies for incorporating digital media and health and safety awareness into programs.
A luncheon panel moderated by Candace Ferguson provided insights from Juvenile Justice and Texas law enforcement leaders and strategies for collaboration with ACE Centers.
The Conference ended on a powerful note with two dynamic speakers. Osvaldo “Ozzy” Rodriguez, a Ft.Worth ACE student and National 21st CCLC Student Ambassador, spoke of how the ACE program has transformed his life, and he recited a riveting spokenword poem which urged students to face fears during times of change and described himself as “that poet … the one who found the light”. Dr. Rick Rigsby, a well-known motivational speaker followed with a powerful address. The focus of his presentation centered on encouraging excellence to motivate ACE leaders and staff to impact student outcomes and Achieve Critical Success!
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The Session PowerPoint slides and Handouts from the 2010 ACE Annual Conference are now available at MyTexasACE.org.
