Hello TEPSANs and Happy New Year,
As we enter 2026, I want to begin with a simple truth: legacy doesn’t reset in January—it deepens. What we started last fall wasn’t just another school year; it was the foundation for something enduring. The habits you built, the systems you tightened, the relationships you strengthened—all of those will carry forward as your legacy’s living proof.
January invites us not to reinvent but to refocus. The first weeks after winter break are about recalibrating hearts and habits. Students return needing reassurance that our consistency remains intact, and teachers need to feel that the vision still burns bright. When they see your steadiness, they trust your leadership. When they feel your belief, they rise to it. Leadership that endures isn’t built on intensity; it’s built on intentionality.
This season, recommit to leading with clarity and compassion. Clarity aligns your teams; compassion sustains them. Whether it’s a hallway conversation, a data talk, or a family meeting, remember: your words are deposits in the legacy account you’ve been building all year. Make them count.
Mark your calendars for a moment that fuels this work: TEPSA Summer Conference member registration opens on January 14, 2026. Secure your spot early and bring a colleague. We’re designing sessions that center belonging, instructional leadership, and practical systems you can implement the very next day.
Before spring arrives, set one intentional legacy goal with your team—something that strengthens culture and lasts beyond this school year. Maybe it’s mentoring emerging leaders, reimagining family engagement, or rebuilding joy in the profession. Whatever it is, make it visible, collective, and connected to your “why.”
And finally, take care of yourself. The best leaders aren’t the busiest—they’re the most balanced. Protect your rest, feed your spirit, and remind yourself that your purpose isn’t tied to pace but to impact.
Your legacy continues—not because of a calendar, but because of your courage to keep showing up, leading with heart, and believing that every act of care shapes the future of Texas schools.
Remember our December charge: your legacy is not perfection—it’s faithfulness and courage—choosing people over performance urgency and leaving every space a little more loving and a little more excellent. Let that be the banner over January and February.
With gratitude and purpose,
Dana
Dana Harley Boyd is an Elementary Executive Principal in El Paso ISD.
