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Moody Education Solutions Accelerator (MESA)

MESA serves a need that is not currently available in K-12 public education: it will explore and study Problems of Practice* at the source and in a way that extends beyond the walls of Highland Park to include collegiate staff, experts from the field, and multiple district collaboration.

 

HPISD is committed to publishing a portfolio of solutions to each respective Problem of Practice that will be disseminated in a translational way to reach teachers, parents, and students who all play important roles in pre-K-12 learning.

 

The potential Problems of Practice* that will be addressed include dyslexia, student wellbeing, student engagement, early childhood mathematical literacy, and creating an inclusive and respectful culture. Each topic will be studied one at a time under the leadership of the Moody Innovation Institute Executive Director. A team of highly talented professionals will be recruited, respective to the expertise needed for each different Problem of Practice. In addition, every team will involve Partner Districts- fully engaged in the research and implementation plans- and Resource Districts- that provide real-world examples and data sources for the MESA team.

 

At the conclusion of each major project, the Moody Innovation Institute will host a two-day MESA Summit workshop for teachers, administrators, and decision makers across the state to discuss the findings and solutions, and to develop specific proposals for implementation. The information will then be distributed to key decision makers and actors at the school district level as well as at TEA.

MESA TEAM
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Geoffrey Orsak, Phd
Executive Director of Moody Innovation Institute (MII)

Geoffrey Orsak is an energetic, passionate, and collaborative leader who successfully develops and executes bold ideas. The impact of his work as an educator and researcher has been recognized in the national media and through a variety of professional awards. Over the past quarter century, Dr. Orsak has served as the President of a Tier 1 Research University, Dean of the Lyle School of Engineering, and Professor of Engineering at SMU and GMU. As an educator, Dr. Orsak was named the first National Educator of the Year for Science and Engineering by EE Times Magazine, as well as numerous additional teaching awards. As a researcher, Dr. Orsak was named IEEE Fellow, the highest international recognition that can be achieved by an Electrical Engineer. He has also successfully lead more than 30 major funded research, technology, and education projects.  Dr. Orsak has also been a successful fund raiser, having raised more that $120M in private and corporate gifts. As a much sought after public speaker, Dr. Orsak has on multiple occasions addressed the US Congress, a US Presidential Commission on Competitiveness, major research and education conferences, numerous corporate retreats, and a wide variety of leadership and community groups. He received his BSEE, MEE, and PhD from Rice University in Electrical Engineering.

 

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Jean Streepey
Moody Innovation Institute Research and Curriculum Lead
Jean Streepey serves as the lead researcher for an early mathematics MESA study sponsored by the Moody Innovation Institute. Having taught Mathematics in HPISD for 17 years, Jean today teaches Business Design and Leadership in the MAPS program at Highland Park High School. She has been honored as a Presidential Awardee for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching, the Region 10 Secondary Teacher of the Year, and as a Team Leader for the U.S. Department of  Education’s Teach to Lead Summit  on innovation. Jean was appointed to the Texas State Board for Educator Certification in 2020 and elected as chairperson in 2022.  She earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from Southern Methodist University, a Master of Business Administration from Louisiana State University in Shreveport, and a Master of Education in Educational Leadership and Policy from the University of Texas at Arlington. Jean holds the Master Math Teacher, Business and Finance, and Principal certifications.