(Austin) – MaryAnn Weaver of Blanco ISD was among a group of school board members gathering in Corpus Christi February 19-21 to learn the latest on brain research and futurist studies and how those trends have implications for educators. Session theme for this, the third of five training sessions of Leadership TASB (LTASB), was “Where Leadership Happens through Becoming an Agent for Change.”

Trustees began activities Thursday by attending sessions at the Winter Governance and Legal Seminar, sponsored by the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB). Training focused on critical issues facing local districts and legislative updates. LTASB participants also presented preliminary findings from their on-going study of school finance. Later trustees toured the Driscoll ISD campus, a small rural south Texas K-8 school district noted for its innovative reading program and success with students with limited English language skills.

Debbie Estes, Thursday’s keynote speaker, is a former teacher and administrator who founded her own firm that specializes in training business and education sectors. In her presentation, Brain Power, she discussed how to create an atmosphere for optimal learning for students and adults.

At Friday’s LTASB session, Dave Zach explored An Educator’s Guide to the Future. Zach is a futurist who has worked with more than 1,300 corporations, colleges and associations, offering insights on the personal and professional effects of strategic trends. He currently teaches future studies at the University of Wisconsin. Friday also included a tour of Corpus Christi ISD’s celebrated Moody High School Health and Science Academy.

Saturday’s ending speaker was Denver’s Debra Fine, bestselling author of The Fine Art of Small Talk and regular guest on NBC’s Today. Fine’s presentation taught trustees the art of using small talk to become an expert communicator.

Selected by TASB, the group of 31 trustees is participating in a year-long education leadership study program. The Leadership TASB class of 2009 represents Texas school districts of all sizes, with student populations of 543 to 82,000, and reflects the range of property wealth. Participants who complete all required elements of the study will graduate next year with a unique graduation designation recognized by TASB.

Each session has a specific theme that builds on the previous session and features state and nationally recognized experts in the fields of leadership development and education. Teams also work on extended learning assignments between meetings throughout the year. Created in 1993, Leadership TASB has almost 450 graduates to date. Program sponsors include Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson, LLP.

TASB is a voluntary, nonprofit association established in 1949 to serve local Texas school districts. School board members are the largest group of publicly elected officials in the state. The districts they represent serve approximately 4.7 million public school students.