Texas A&M University-San Antonio issued the following announcement.
For one San Antonio native, the opportunity to connect passion with purpose became a reality when she was recently appointed as the inaugural director of a ground-breaking partnership focused on strengthening the school-to-college educational pipeline in south Bexar County. Dr. Henrietta (Henri) Muñoz, who has led family economic and educational success initiatives for the past nearly 15 years, is serving as the first executive director for the Institute for School and Community Partnerships, located in Edgewood Independent School District.
In her new role, Muñoz is overseeing partnerships and solutions to persistent challenges affecting the Edgewood ISD through SB-1882 initiatives, as well as the Educare initiative within the framework of the A&M-SA & South Bexar County ISDs Partnership to Impact Regional Equity and Excellence) (ASPIRE). When ASPIRE was established nearly a year ago, the partnership’s vision was to launch an autism assessment program at the Burleson School for Innovation and Education, a center for young adults with special needs in the Edgewood district.
Last January, Edgewood ISD’s board approved the partnership for Texas A&M University-San Antonio’s College of Education and Human Development (COEHD) to manage two of its campuses, the Burleson Center and Gus Garcia Middle School. These educational partnerships, led by Muñoz, are creating a wrap-around model to provide the schools with skilled teachers as well as relevant experiences and employment opportunities for students. A&M-San Antonio student teachers are placed in the school for a year with their salaries funded by the University. The student teachers, who become “preferred hires” with the Edgewood district upon completion of the training, also receive support to pursue graduate degrees, according to Dr. Carl Sheperis, dean of COEHD at A&M-San Antonio.
“We believe that this will become a statewide model to address the school to college pipeline that will drive change toward a comprehensive strategy to tackle the need for skilled teachers,” Sheperis said. “Dr. Munoz’s deep understanding and breadth of experience in leading educational partnerships and programs will continue to guide and advance the solutions and actions needed to strengthen and scale this pipeline.”
Muñoz, whose mother was not able to complete high school and worked to support her family, instilled in her a desire for equitable education. “She truly understands the hardships families have to make. My mother sacrificed for her family, and today, her sacrifice gives me the privilege to stand where I am and truly value what it takes to achieve a dream. I want that dream for all students in Bexar County,” Muñoz said.
“I’m thrilled to be joining such a talented group of educators and honored to be part of the Institute’s work serving south Bexar County. The Institute’s vision for the students of south Bexar County is to assure that opportunities remain open for all students to achieve their full potential.”
To schedule an interview with Dr. Henrietta Munoz or Dr. Carl Sheperis, contact Dr. Adriana Contreras at acontreras@tamusa.edu.
Original source can be found here.
Alerts Sign-up