Texas A&M University-San Antonio hosted its eighth "Best of Both Worlds" symposium on Wednesday, April 9. With the theme “Supporting High Performance in High-Need Schools,” the event featured a panel of educational, community and government leaders who discussed how to develop school and community partnerships to support high-poverty schools.
It’s a critical issue in San Antonio, which is one of the nation’s most economically segregated cities, with nearly 18% of the population living in poverty, according to a 2024 report from the city of San Antonio. Moreover, there is a direct correlation between poverty and a lack of education. In San Antonio, 32.4 percent of the population living in poverty didn’t graduate high school, while 64.6 percent of residents experiencing poverty don’t have any college education.
“Supporting student success, especially for those who are most underserved, takes a team of dedicated, committed individuals that come together with one vision in mind—to ensure that every action ultimately focuses on the best interest of the students we are privileged to serve,” said Regina Arzamendi Moreno, a panelist and principal at the Shirleen Zacharias Early College Leadership Academy.
Esmerelda Garza, another panelist and principal at Crestview Elementary, a high-poverty school in the Judson ISD, said building strong partnerships is critical in the San Antonio area, where economic disparities impact many neighborhoods and school communities.
“In a city as vibrant and diverse as ours, ensuring equitable access to quality education is not just a goal, it’s a responsibility,” said Garza. “When we unite with a shared vision, we create a support system that extends far beyond the classroom walls. Families become empowered, educators feel supported, and students see themselves as valued and capable. By working together, we transform challenges into opportunities and ensure that every child has the tools they need to thrive.”
Presented by the College of Education and Human Development, Best of Borth Worlds is an ongoing series at A&M-San Antonio that each year tackles issues that impact the community.
“Best of Both Worlds was created to teach theoretical frameworks and practical applications while providing optimal learning opportunities for the community,” said Dr. Lawrence Scott, associate professor in the Department of Educator and Leadership Preparation. “For this session, we assembled the city's top leaders at high-need elementary, middle and high schools to discuss best practices to attain and maintain high performance. We also heard from their community support systems about resources available to sustain high performance in high-need schools.”
Scott moderated the Best of Both Worlds discussion with Dr. W. Sean Kearny, a professor in the the Department of Educator and Leadership Preparation.
Below are the Best of Both Worlds panelists: