October 9, 2009

News Release

“Remember the Titans” Principal to Speak

at TISD Foundation Campaign Kickoff Luncheon

            The Tyler ISD Foundation begins its 20^th annual fund drive with an invitation-only campaign Kickoff Luncheon on Monday, October 12, 2009, at 11:30 a.m. at W.A. Peete Elementary School, located at 1511 Bellwood, in Tyler. This year’s campaign theme is “The Power of Public Education: Transforming Lives.”  

Leading the Kickoff Luncheon Committee this year is Beth Whitney, Tyler ISD Foundation’s Vice President – Governance.

“This year, we felt it was vital to get back to the basics of education,” said Whitney.  “What better place to do that than on an elementary school campus? This way, our guests will see firsthand the impact we as a community can have on bettering Tyler’s public education.”

The keynote speaker for the event is Arnold D. Oates, Ph. D., a well-known educator, author and businessman throughout Texas and the United States. He is the former principal of T.C. Williams High School in Alexandria, Virginia during the time of the school’s integration, reenacted in the film, Remember the Titans, which starred Denzel Washington.

“I was principal of TC Williams High School from 1970 to 1973,” said Oates. “The movie setting was about the 1971-72 school year.  The movie features the football team. The story is about the merger of three Alexandria, VA high schools into one senior high school for grades 11-12 and the other two high schools became 9-10 grade high schools,” explained Oates.

             Dr. Oates’ topic will be “Challenge and Change in Public Education.” 

Oates began his career in education as a science teacher in Talco, Texas in 1958. Since then, he has served as principal, assistant superintendent, education training consultant, superintendent, and senior lecturer at Texas A&M University-College Station, an educational consultant and president of his company, Texas School Planning, Inc. located in Tyler, where Oates resides with his wife, Dr. Martha Oates.  Both are graduates of Texas A&M University-Commerce.

“We are honored that Dr. Oates will speak at the Campaign Kickoff Luncheon,” said Larry Goddard, Executive Director of the Tyler ISD Foundation. “Dr. Oates has led educators and communities through tumultuous times in public education and we know his message will be well received.”

The Peete Elementary third-grade choir, under the direction of Tim McCormick, music teacher, will be the entertainment for the event.  Dr. Stuart Baskin of First Presbyterian Church, Dr. Randy Reid, Tyler ISD Superintendent and Whitney are all on the program’s agenda as well as Matthew Evans, a middle school student from Moore MST.  Evans received a Foundation grant to attend the Lone Star Leadership Academy last summer.

Last year, the We Believe in Tyler ISD Campaign resulted in total donations over $400,000 in contributions to various programs and to the areas of greatest need, as determined by the Foundation Board of Directors. The Campaign will last until February, 2010.

For more information, please contact the Tyler ISD Foundation at (903) 266-9805 or foundation@suddenlinkmail.com .

The Tyler ISD Foundation is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization. No tax dollars are expended in this campaign or by the Foundation.

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