Joy in the Rebuilding: BCSL Visits Ingram and Kerrville ISD

Convocations for Ingram and Kerrville ISD looked a little different this year after the Guadalupe River and flooding altered the landscape of these communities and their schools for the second year in a row. In Ingram ISD, all three campuses and 12 district buildings sustained damage that required fixing before school welcomed the students on August 12. Students and educators at Kerrville ISD continue to clean up homes and replace personal items as the school year begins. Despite the repairs still underway in their schools and communities, educators gathered for convocation to welcome a new school year and the hard work of rebuilding together. 

Both school districts invited Dr. Jon Eckert and the Baylor Center for School Leadership (BCSL) to share with their staff at the beginning of year events. Driven by a message of the ABCs of Joy, Eckert shared how adversity, belonging, and curiosity create joy-filled communities and schools. With both school districts facing opening schools in adverse conditions, these were lessons shared on how belonging and curiosity develop to find joy in the profession that makes all others possible. Countless stories were told at each convocation of educators supporting one another and embracing the turtle mentality of lifting one another up and celebrating successes together. 

In moments like these, joy can sound like a strange word. But joy is not the absence of difficulty. It is what can emerge when people face difficulty together. Over 160 educators from Ingram ISD gathered in an auditorium with carpeting removed and drywall yet to be installed. The room was filled with educators who were hopeful and grateful for the joy of gathering together to begin a new year. Dr. Justin Turner, Superintendent of Ingram ISD, shared the uncertainty of starting the year differently than expected. While the plan of what the year would be is disrupted, he shared how going through this event together has strengthened the relationships in the community. At Kerrville ISD’s convocation, the room was filled with 650 educators who celebrated the achievements from last year! 

The people in the room are part of the rebuilding, and that work is done together.  Belonging doesn’t erase diversity—it changes how we experience it. Countless stories were shared by educators at both convocations of checking in on one another and coming together to face adversity. From Ingram ISD’s athletic teams helping with cleanup to the cheers as Kerrville ISD’s transportation team was welcomed at their convocation, these communities showed up to do the work together. Jennie Steward shared that, after losing her husband and home in the flooding three weeks earlier, she knew she belonged—both through her relationship with her Creator and through the care of her colleagues at Ingram ISD. Going through hard things together allows people to step into community with one another where belonging emerges. 

Curiosity gives us permission to wonder about what comes next, even when we don’t know. It turns people toward possibility. As educators welcome students into the classroom, they will wonder more than ever what students need to be successful. Leaders can lean into what can be learned and celebrated from this experience. Dr. Brent Ringo shared how a teacher’s curiosity—and an invitation to dinners with their family—allowed him to learn more about those he serves in the Kerrville school community. This was echoed in the sentiments of board member Greg Peschel as he reminded Kerrville ISD that “It’s not about rankings or accountability—it’s about the kids.”  In the midst of disruption, schools can find new ways to lean into the work of celebrating students and educators. And hopefully create something good in the midst of adversity. 

The BCSL was able to learn something about leadership and the resilience of school communities through visits to Ingram and Kerville ISD. The ABCs of Joy are demonstrated under the hardest conditions of destruction and loss through flooding. Yet the lesson remains the same. Something difficult happened. We don’t face it alone. Together, we begin asking, "What can come next?" The buildings may still need repairs. Some things may still be uncertain. The community is still healing. But the educators are gathered. They are encouraging one another. They’re preparing to welcome students.  The BCSL went to Ingram and Kerrville ISDs to share the ABCs of Joy, but the communities showed the BCSL the ABCs lived out.