“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” — Jeremiah 29:11

It’s Wednesday, August 12, 2026, and the doors of hundreds of schools are opening for the first day of the 2026–2027 school year. Countless students have already walked through the doors of school districts across the Houston metroplex over the past few weeks, with many more to come in the weeks ahead.

This is such an exciting time of year because of new beginnings. It’s a chance for students to engage in subjects and topics that are unfamiliar, bringing about the promise of a brighter future. For others, it’s an opportunity to leave past behaviors behind — behaviors that once led to unpleasant situations and consequences. Still others are awestruck, or even nervous, because those doors lead into a big building where you have five minutes to get to your next class on the third floor.

Our students are navigating a lot. They need to bring a fully charged Chromebook to school daily to log into the learning management system, where they can find assignments, counselor request forms, their grades, the tutoring schedule, and so much more. They also have to be certain they have their badge, which they scan to get on the bus, eat lunch, and check out library books. Yes — there are still functioning libraries in our schools today.

Well, this is just a glimpse of schools in 2026. Some of this may sound familiar to you. Other parts may not.

Wherever you land on this evolution of education, here are a few things to remember: Every child deserves high-quality instruction. To receive that instruction, they must feel safe and experience a sense of belonging. Children can’t learn on an empty stomach — food must be available so they can reach their full potential every day. Our school districts must be resourced so that teachers are equipped to deliver high-quality instruction, counselors can provide academic and social-emotional support, interventionists have the time to close learning gaps, instructional specialists can build teacher efficacy, and administrators can implement systems and programs that cultivate learning environments where all of this is possible.

Here’s where you can help: Vote. Vote for school board officials who want the best for our children. Have a conversation with a student — ask them what was the most interesting thing they learned, what their favorite subject is and what makes it fun, what they’re most looking forward to this school year, or whether they’re doing any sports, clubs, or after-school activities.

Let’s do all we can to make the 2026–2027 school year one that shapes a student’s life for the better.

And as Rita Pierson said, “Every kid needs a champion.” Click on the link to view her inspiring video.

Sharri L. McGlauthing

Resurrection MCC Board of Directors

Public School Educator

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