Courtney Boswell MacDonald
Courtney Boswell MacDonald has been appointed to chair Governor Abbott’s new Texas Classroom Commission. MacDonald is a former classroom teacher and current chair of the State Board for Educator Certification. She graduated from Lake Highlands High School in 1999.
“As a classroom teacher, I was always deeply interested in how policy shaped our daily practice — whether through assessments, data-driven instruction, compensation structures, incentive funding, grant programs or curriculum changes,” MacDonald told me. “That curiosity ultimately led me to step beyond the classroom and into education policy, rather than pursue a traditional path in administration. I wanted to ensure that the teacher’s perspective had a meaningful place in the decision-making process.”
“It is incredibly rewarding to see that vision come full circle,” MacDonald continued. “I am honored to lead this commission, in addition to chairing SBEC, and to help create opportunities for other educators to engage in and influence the policymaking process. That has been my guiding goal since leaving the classroom.”
The Texas Classroom Commission brings together accomplished educators to help shape the future of public education, strengthen student achievement and ensure that Texas becomes the number one state for educating children, according to a press release.
“Texas teachers have the talent, understanding and expertise to ensure that every Texas student succeeds,” Abbott said. “That’s why educators must be at the center of the conversation.”
The new commission plans to build on the success of prior interim workgroups like the Teacher Vacancy Taskforce and the Texas Commission on Special Education Funding. Those efforts worked to increase special education funding, raise teacher compensation, expand the Teacher Incentive Allotment and restore discipline in Texas classrooms.
“I have immense respect for the dedication of our teachers and the profound impact they have on students across Texas. I am grateful to have the support of our Governor, who shares a strong commitment to standing with and investing in our state’s educators.”
The Texas Classroom Commission consists of current and former public school educators, including Bobbie Lynn Weir of Richardson ISD, Eric Hale of Dallas ISD, Jean Streepey of Highland Park ISD, Cassidy Estes of Amarillo ISD, Abbigale Grataski of Calallen ISD, Crystal Stipes of Comanche ISD, Danette Wofford of Nacogdoches ISD, Dawnna Talley of Ector County ISD, Hannah Landry of Bridge City ISD, JoMeka Gray of Temple ISD, Karla Guevara of Riesel ISD, Laura Fanning of Lubbock ISD, Matthew Driver of Bushland ISD, Nidia De La Cerda of Tuloso-Midway ISD, Noe Perez of Los Fresnos CISD, Sergio Arjon of Houston ISD, Susanne Whitley of Tomball ISD, Tevin King of IDEA Public Schools – El Paso, Tiffany Kilcoyne of Hurst-Euless-Bedford ISD, Valton Acree of Yorktown ISD and Veronica Bayne of Killeen ISD.
Commission members will provide practical, classroom-informed recommendations to the governor, the Texas Education Agency and the Texas legislature ahead of the 90th legislative session.
