Former classroom teacher and Kerrville resident Courtney Boswell Mac-Donald will lead the newly created Texas Classroom Commission, a teacher-led advisory group launched by Gov. Greg Abbott on July 7 to develop recommendations aimed at strengthening public education ahead of the 90th Texas Legislature.
Abbott said the commission will build on recent state investments in public education and teacher compensation by placing educators at the center of future policy discussions.
“Texas teachers know what their students need to succeed,' Abbott said. “The Texas Classroom Commission will bring together exemplary public school educators to identify innovative solutions that help students succeed, improve the learning environment in classrooms, and strengthen our schools. By empowering those on the front lines of education, we will build on Texas’ success and ensure our state becomes the national leader in the education of our kids.”
The commission will consist of current and retired public school classroom teachers from across Texas. Members will develop recommendations for the governor, the Texas Education Agency and the Texas Legislature before the start of the 90th Legislative Session. According to the governor's office, the group's work will focus on bolstering classroom instruction, supporting teachers, improving the learning environment and ensuring Texas students are prepared to succeed.
MacDonald currently serves as chair of the State Board for Educator Certification. She previously worked on the Senate Education Committee and has served as executive director of Texans for Education Reform, the Texas Institute for Education Reform and Texas Aspires. Before entering education policy, she taught mathematics in Richardson ISD and Dallas ISD.
She earned a Bachelor of Science in fashion and communications and a secondary education certification from Texas Christian University before receiving a Master of Public Policy in education policy from Vanderbilt University.
Abbott said the commission follows what he described as historic investments in public education and teacher pay made in recent legislative sessions by his office, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, Speaker Dustin Burrows and the Texas Legislature.
Patrick said teachers should play a central role in shaping future education policy.
“Texas remains committed to delivering for our public school students and teachers,' Patrick said. 'Other than a parent, no person is more influential in a child's development than a teacher. Under my leadership, we have raised teacher salaries, provided additional resources in the classroom, and supported teachers in maintaining discipline in the classroom. That is why we must empower teachers to make recommendations to improve public education through the Texas Classroom Commission, so our students can achieve even better educational outcomes.”
Burrows also praised the formation of the commission.
“Texas teachers play a foundational role in shaping the next generation, making their work essential to our state’s future,” Burrows said. “Last session, the Texas Legislature made an unprecedented investment in public education, providing permanent teacher pay raises, increasing funding for the Teacher Incentive Allotment, and giving educators more authority in their classrooms. I look forward to Governor Abbott’s Texas Classroom Commission building on that progress with recommendations that help Texas students receive the best education in the nation.”
The Texas Classroom Commission is expected to begin meeting in the coming weeks and deliver its recommendations before lawmakers convene for the 90th Legislative Session.
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