Caucasian woman in red shirt

Gilbert Willie Sr. Elementary Principal Alexis Dennis was among 54 educators from across Texas selected to participate in a prestigious summer institute at the Harvard Graduate School of Education this summer. The program is sponsored and paid for by the Charles Butt Foundation, a non-profit organization aiming to provide a more equitable and prosperous future for all Texans through education and community partnerships. 

"Attendees, including individual principals as well as campus teams, will participate in one of two weeklong workshops on leadership development, coaching, or school turnaround led by Harvard faculty and other national and international experts," states the Charles Butt Foundation in a press release dated May 2022. "Each program is designed to inspire, challenge, and empower school leaders to bring lasting impact to their campuses and communities, the entire state of Texas, and beyond."

Dennis, who has served as the campus principal at Gilbert Willie Sr. Elementary School since August 2020, will attend the workshops in July 2022. 

"It is an incredible honor to be chosen for this program and to represent both Terrell ISD and the State of Texas," shared Dennis. "I look forward to bringing back and implementing what I learn from the Harvard Institute to the students and staff of Gilbert Willie Elementary." 

Following the Harvard Institutes, attendees remain a part of the program’s statewide network of school leaders and are empowered to work together to create change at the campus and district levels. Alumni are sponsored to attend the organization’s annual leadership symposium and receive continuous support and professional development.