Committees are an organization’s power. For the Tomball Education Foundation, the marketing & events committee provides the muscle needed for long-term strength, as TEF begins its ninth year of support for Tomball Independent School District’s schools and students. Dedicated volunteers work hard to provide the time and talent needed to fulfill the marketing & events committee’s mission.
There can also be several subcategories within marketing & events committees that require staffing and leadership, including:
- Administrative recordkeeping
- Attendee engagement
- Budgeting
- Event technology management (audio-visual equipment, digital marketing, publicity/press)
- Logistics (promotional materials, vendors, etc.)
- Networking
- Promotions
- Registration processes
- Sponsorship development
- …and more
TEF Thrives, Thanks to Bearden’s Talents
TEF’s marketing & events committee is responsible for generating the lion’s share of operating dollars. The committee then coordinates the distribution of funds where they are most needed to benefit Tomball ISD students and classrooms. Fortunately, the committee is led by Ashley Bearden, Chief Talent Officer at Sirius Solutions, LLLP.
Bearden’s talent for cultivating significant, positive business outcomes benefits TEF’s marketing & events team as well as its board of directors. For more than 20 years, Ashley has designed and utilized strategies that increased Sirius’ income and productivity. Sirius says Bearden’s “in-depth understanding of client needs and industry trends” has led to successful talent strategies for clients’ top-tier corporations and small-business organizations. TEF values her leadership and appreciates the marketing & events volunteers’ contributions toward the continued growth of Tomball Education Foundation.
Happy New Year: Spotlight On January’s Leadership in Education
This year began with Tomball Independent School District’s announcement that Dr. Ashley Schlafly, TISD’s Director of Advanced Academics & Secondary Reading and Language Arts, was named Literacy Leader of the Year by the Texas Council of Teachers of English Language Arts (TCTELA). The award recognizes Dr. Schlafly’s exceptional work to advance literacy in education. It will be presented at the Jan. 30-Feb. 1 TCTELA Conference in Round Rock.
Dr. Schlafly says literacy is a vital service to students, but reinforcing the use of “strong literature, thoughtful instruction, and real, critical thinking” is a testament to TISD’s commitment to advanced literacy development in classrooms.
Dr. Michael Webb, Tomball Chief Academic Officer, said Schlafly’s leadership has led to Tomball’s seven-year-status as #1 among Region 4 school districts, a 25% improvement in TISD’s University Interscholastic League participation, and resulted in the increased identification of gifted & talented students within the district.
Educational Engagement & Equality
“Accessibility” is more than a buzzword; it’s a fundamental right for the 10%-15% of our population challenged by impairments. In January, the Texas Occupational Therapy Association (TOTA) honored Tomball ISD’s Special Services Assistive Technology (AT) team for its contribution to an improved quality of life for students requiring occupational therapy services.
The Interdisciplinary Team of the Year award distinguishes OT teams that effectively utilize advocacy, collaboration, innovation, and progressive programming/research in their efforts to remove barriers to education. Tomball ISD Destination Excellence says Eileen Garza, OTR, ATP/SMS, PhD, FAOTA, has led TISD’s Assistive Technology team in becoming a model for interdisciplinary collaboration that transforms educational access for students with disabilities.
The Special Services AT professionals work with students and their families, as well as TISD staff, to identify barriers to equal education. Disabled students assist in their own solutions. Students define their academic goals and post-secondary educational ambitions, then participate in developing the direction of their special support.
The award was presented at the TOTA State Conference in San Marcos. Dr. Garza was also a presenter on Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) in student-centered support at this year’s conference. “Autonomy is essential to learning and growth,” said Garza. “Access to communication, literacy, and physical tools changes everything.”
Superintendent Dr. Martha Salazzar-Zamora U.S. Delegate
Bett Global Education Week is a leading education technology and innovation event. It brings educators, industry leaders, and policymakers worldwide together to explore transformative ideas, digital learning, and global educational collaboration.
Tomball ISD’s superintendent was recently selected to represent the United States at the prestigious International Education Symposium during 2026 Bett Global Education Week in London. Dr. Salazar-Zamora will join more than 25,000 education leaders from 250+ countries at the University of Cambridge, where discussions will focus on Artificial Intelligence (AI) within the educational infrastructure.
Since 2017, Tomball schools have benefitted from Dr. Martha Salazar-Zamora’s progressive and innovative educational leadership. Her global mindset has also helped form policies and develop instructional goals that have continually inspired TISD educators and motivated Tomball students.
Dr. Salazar-Zamora was recently honored with the esteemed Golden Deeds for Education Award.
Because Dr. Salazar-Zamora is making a lasting, positive impact on Texas public education, she will receive the prestigious Golden Deeds for Education Award. Educational leaders who have made transformational contributions to schools and communities continue to shape U.S. education systems’ policies and procedures.
Since 1964, the Texas Association of School Administrators (TASA) and the Texas A&M University Department of Educational Administration and Human Resource Development have presented the Golden Deeds award to an outstanding educational trailblazer. Public-school leaders like Dr. Z provide their educators and students with outstanding, visionary leadership; yet another reason why Tomball ISD has become a destination district for families.
Help TISD’s Students This Year
Tomball teachers actively seek educational opportunities, but so do TISD students. This makes our public schools exceptional in Harris County and Texas. TISD’s innovative and exciting academic culture forms the foundation for Tomball students’ love of learning. Part of Tomball Education Foundation’s mission is to provide every student with the tools needed to grow stronger, academically and personally.
How can you help? Share your talents…your strengths
You can volunteer to serve on a committee, donate time and money, or sponsor Tomball Education Foundation projects this year. Learn about our grants program and the advantages that can level the playing field for all Tomball students, thanks to the support of people just like you. Be sure to read the February TEF blog: 2026 TEF Grants Encourage Transformational Education in Tomball.
