The benefits of empowerment
Workplace empowerment is a fundamental component in creating a positive company culture and driving long-term employee retention. When employees feel empowered, they believe their contributions are meaningful, their ideas and perspectives are valued and they have the autonomy to make decisions that directly impact their work. This sense of ownership not only boosts morale but also strengthens employees’ commitment to the organization. Over time, it builds a culture where individuals are motivated to stay and grow within the company.
Empowerment in the workplace means more than simply delegating tasks. It involves giving employees the tools, resources and authority to succeed in their roles. Trust is key — leaders must trust employees to manage responsibilities and solve problems independently. Empowerment also includes providing professional development opportunities, encouraging employees to take initiative and creating a culture where decision-making is decentralized. When employees know they can contribute meaningfully without constant oversight or fear of failure, they are more likely to take pride in their work and feel a greater sense of purpose.
School vouchers and public education
After a wave of Texas Republicans dominated the ballot box on Election Day, Gov. Greg Abbott expressed confidence last week that he now has enough votes in the Texas House to pass a school voucher program, his top legislative priority since last year.
The governor shared his optimism during a visit to Kingdom Life Academy, a small Christian private school in Tyler, where he proclaimed that the House now has 79 “hardcore school choice proponents,” a number slightly above the simple majority the 150-member chamber needs to approve legislation.
During the same visit, Abbott also said he was committed to fully funding Texas’ public schools, providing teachers with pay raises and enhancing career training opportunities for students — all of which he refused to do last year when vouchers stalled in the Texas Legislature.
3.2.1. The importance of unlearning, 5 steps of the creative process, and deciding who you want to be.
“Decide the type of person you want to be.
Prove it to yourself with small wins.”
II.
“The more an idea is tied to your identity, the more you will ignore evidence it is false. People seem to have no trouble finding reasons to ignore the merits of ideas they dislike.
To continue to grow and learn, you must be willing to update, expand, and edit your identity. In many ways, growth is unlearning.”
Who will be the next Secretary of Education?
Trump’s Potential Picks for Education Secretary: What to Know President-elect Donald Trump is moving swiftly to staff his senior team and Cabinet positions, with news already broken about high-profile choices […]
Simple steps to start a district podcast
Sharing school news through scripted audio communication is an effective way to keep families and the larger community informed.
Podcasts have become an increasingly popular method for consuming content. There are approximately 135 million podcast listeners in the United States, and 70 percent of adult listeners engage in podcasts with their children. What do these numbers mean for schools? Producing a podcast offers an easy and convenient alternative to keep families and community members informed about your school or district. Podcasts avoid email overload and confusing school website navigation, and provide consistency across schools when it comes to updates. The flexibility of podcasts eliminates time restrictions, allowing families to listen whenever they have time.
Here are five steps to get started.
Helping students with FAFSA
High schools are getting an early start on helping this year’s 12th graders fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, given the delays and technical difficulties experienced with the federal form last school year.
FAFSA completions for the class for 2024 fell by nearly 9% compared to the graduating class the year before, according to a National College Attainment Network tracker updated Nov. 1. The application helps students obtain federal financial aid, scholarships and tuition aid packages from colleges.
Last year, the release of an updated and streamlined application form was delayed by several months, and technical glitches hampered many students’ ability to complete the form when it did become available. Researchers found first-year college enrollment declined most severely at four-year colleges that serve high populations of Pell Grant students, who typically must show exceptional financial need to obtain those awards.
