Congratulations to Irving ISD Superintendent of Schools Magda A. Hernández for being named the first recipient of the Power of Inspiration Award. The honor was bestowed on Superintendent Hernández at the 5th Annual Leadership Summit for Women District Leaders, held earlier this month.
Superintendent Hernández was invited to showcase the vision of the Magda A. Hernández Institute of Wellness and Professional Learning at the leadership summit through her presentation, From Inspiration to Action: Building a Wellness Culture. A ribbon cutting ceremony was held for the one-of-a-kind facility on July 24. Learn more about the new facility here.
At the event, Board Vice President A.D. Jenkins presented Superintendent Hernández with the award.
“We know our Superintendent is a trendsetter, a big dreamer,” he says. “Out of everyone in attendance at the conference, our very own Superintendent was given this award.”
When the inaugural Leadership Summit for Women District Leaders launched in 2019, it was a visionary creation sculpted from in-depth research and intimate dialogues with district administrators from all over the United States. Organizers found that women district leaders benefitted from the wisdom of conference panelists and one-on-one conversations at industry gatherings. A compelling narrative emerged — a tale of women encountering unique trials on their ascent to district leadership and their struggles to balance work and life.
In recent years, concepts like mindful leadership and emotional intelligence have mounted a resurgence in our educational and national vernacular. Yet, as the pandemic unfolded, wellness charged onto the national stage with unparalleled force. In this time of change, Big Deal Media, the organizers of the leadership summit, was a pioneer, recognizing the profound impact of well-being on effective leadership. They not only recognized its importance but offered a platform for leaders to explore it.
The 2024 summit continued to champion the dynamic interplay between well-being and effective leadership, recognizing Superintendent Hernández and the Magda A. Hernández Institute of Wellness and Professional Learning as an award-winning example of building a culture of wellness in action.
