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.
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.
