It was an incredible experience to help shine a light on the power of public education on Wednesday at the Hilton Americas. The room was filled with energy, hope, and purpose as more than 1,000 Houston leaders gathered for Good Reason Houston’s Annual ConnectED Convening. The message rang clear: Houston’s future depends on ensuring that every student has a pathway to lasting success and economic mobility. As the honorary event chair and proud superintendent of Aldine ISD, I was grateful for the opportunity to share some of our district’s success and to witness the collective commitment in that room. I encouraged attendees to carry the commitment forward. “Let’s make sure that when people think about Houston, they don’t just see our skyline or our sports teams — they see a city relentlessly working together to build a future where every child, in every neighborhood, has the chance to live the American dream. When we give every child a strong education, we give every community a stronger tomorrow.”