On Saturday May 16, 2026, the Teach Plus Texas Houston Policy Fellowship brought together educators, district leaders, and community partners for an afternoon of learning and exploring education policy recommendations that elevate educator voice, address workforce challenges, and drive stronger outcomes for students across the Greater Houston area.
Collaboration. Learning. Impact.
This weekend, we explored what career-connected learning can look like in a city as economically diverse and globally connected as Houston. We discussed the opportunities and challenges surrounding AI-driven learning and workforce readiness. We heard educators share research and advocacy work grounded in lived classroom experience.
Throughout the evening, one theme kept emerging:
Teacher voice must remain central to this work.
Because educators don’t just implement systems – they understand them, they navigate them daily, and they often see both the opportunities and the barriers long before anyone else does.
And one thing became very clear:
The future of education cannot be built in silos.
If we're serious about improving student outcomes and expanding economic mobility, we need stronger alignment between classrooms, workforce systems, higher education, and policy.
Too often, these conversations happen separately.
Schools talk to schools.
Industry talks to industry.
Policy gets developed far from the realities educators and students experience every day.
But meaningful change happens when those groups are in the same room listening, collaborating, and building together.
As Dr. Monea Beene reminded us:
“Passion matters, but strategy moves change.”
That strategy requires partnership. That’s what made the Houston summit so powerful.
We're grateful to The Education Trust in Texas for collaborating with Teach Plus Texas and our Houston Policy Fellowship on this work, and deeply appreciative and proud of our educators who continue to lead with insight, honesty, and commitment to students across our state.
The work ahead will require more collaboration across systems, sectors, and communities.
These conversations don’t end in Houston. We’re looking forward to continuing these conversations across Texas.
Warmest regards,
Kevin Malonson
Executive Director, Teach Plus Texas
Please direct your inquiries about this event to Dr. Hjamil Martínez-Vázquez, Policy Program Manager at hmvazquez@teachplus.org
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