The Holdsworth Center, a nonprofit dedicated to building stronger leaders for Texas public schools, is inviting the Houston community to nominate a teacher for a weekend retreat at the Center\u2019s Campus on Lake Austin, a one-of-a-kind place designed exclusively for educators.\u00a0<\/p>\n
From the pool of nominees, 150 teachers will have the opportunity to attend May 1-3. The retreat is free for teachers, thanks to generous sponsors like H-E-B, Frost Bank, A+ Federal Credit Union, Clean Scapes, MFI Foundation and Raftelis.<\/p>\n
\u201cTeachers are the lifeblood of our public education system and work hard every day to spark students\u2019 love of learning and unlock their future potential,\u201d said Dr. Lindsay Whorton, president of The Holdsworth Center. \u201cWe know the ongoing challenges our teachers face, and we want to show our appreciation by inviting them to our lakeside campus to renew and reenergize.\u201d<\/p>\n
The weekend is all about them \u2013 they will have the opportunity to eat great food from Holdsworth\u2019s culinary team, do yoga or Zumba, go to well-being workshops or just sit in an Adirondack chair and listen to waves lapping the shore. With their needs taken care of, they are able to relax, enjoy time with their peers and learn about ways to manage stress and enhance their well-being.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Retreat wasn\u2019t about checking boxes or adding to our already overflowing plates. It was about restoration,\u201d said Zainab Jaback, an Alief ISD English teacher. \u201cIt was about being seen, heard and treated like a professional whose work held value. From the moment I arrived, it was clear they had planned every detail with teachers in mind. The quiet, the fresh air, the time to journal and reflect. It felt unreal.\u201d<\/p>\n
Holdsworth founder and H-E-B Chairman Charles Butt built the Campus on Lake Austin as a gift to hardworking educators, who he believes deserve world-class professional development opportunities in a setting that rivals what CEOs and business executives experience.<\/p>\n
At the lakeside campus, educators have access to state-of-the-art classrooms, a 300-person lecture space, an open-air amphitheater, walking trails, 186 rooms for overnight stays and a two-story dock classroom.<\/p>\n
Since its founding in 2017, The Holdsworth Center has served nearly 1,900 educators and 88 school districts across Texas through its world-class leadership programs.<\/p>\n