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Effective education requires more than just lesson plans and textbooks—it requires engagement. Students who feel connected to their school and educators are more likely to attend regularly, perform well, and succeed in life. Reny Lizardo a distinguished educational leader, has spent his career transforming student engagement through strategic leadership and innovative programs. 

Lizardo’s journey from principal to district leader showcases how passion, innovation, and community collaboration can make a difference in students' lives. His story is a powerful example of how one educator’s vision for student engagement can impact entire school districts. 

The Early Days: Understanding the Root of Student Disengagement 

Before becoming a district-wide leader, Lizardo worked as a school principal, where he saw firsthand how disengagement led to absenteeism and academic struggles. 

He identified three key reasons why students lost interest in school: 

1. Lack of personal connection – Many students didn’t feel supported or valued by their schools. 

2. A rigid and uninspiring curriculum – Traditional learning methods often failed to capture students’ interests. 

3. Barriers outside the classroom – Family issues, economic struggles, and mental health challenges kept students from fully engaging in school. 

Rather than accepting these challenges as inevitable, Lizardo set out to find solutions that put students at the center of their education. 

Transforming Engagement: Lizardo’s Key Strategies 

1. Strengthening Student-Teacher Relationships 

Lizardo recognized that students engage more when they feel connected to their teachers. Under his leadership, schools have implemented: 

• Mentorship programs where teachers serve as personal advisors to students. 

• Professional development workshops that train educators on building rapport with students. 

• “Check-in” systems that allow teachers to regularly monitor students’ academic and emotional well-being. 

This approach has helped students develop trust in their educators, leading to greater participation and effort in schoolwork. 

2. Making Learning Interactive and Relevant 

To make school more engaging, Lizardo has championed hands-on and project-based learning, ensuring that students see real-world connections in their education. 

Some of the key initiatives include: 

• Career and technical education programs that expose students to real job experiences. 

• STEM initiatives where students learn through experiments and hands-on activities. 

• Culturally relevant curricula that reflect students’ backgrounds and interests. 

By making learning practical, exciting, and relatable, Lizardo has helped students develop a passion for education. 

3. Encouraging Student Voices in Decision-Making 

Lizardo believes that students should have a say in their education. He has introduced: 

• Student leadership councils that allow students to voice concerns and propose solutions. 

• Surveys and feedback programs where students provide input on their learning experiences. 

• Collaborative school improvement plans where students help shape school policies. 

This student-first approach has led to higher levels of engagement and school pride. 

61 From Principal to Leader: Expanding His Impact 

Education serves as the foundation for success, but for many students, chronic absenteeism and learning gaps create significant barriers. Reny Lizardo, a dedicated educational leader, has made it his mission to tackle these issues through attendance initiatives and innovative strategies. His work at Irving Independent School District (ISD) has demonstrated that improving student attendance can lead to better academic performance, closing the gap between struggling and successful students. 

With a background in school administration and educational leadership, Lizardo has implemented data-driven solutions, community engagement programs, and technology-driven interventions to ensure that students remain present in school and engaged in learning. His leadership proves that when students show up, they thrive. 

The Connection Between Attendance and Learning Gaps 

Learning gaps develop when students miss crucial instructional time. Research shows that students with high absenteeism rates struggle with: 

• Falling behind in subjects like math and reading 

• Difficulty grasping new concepts due to missing foundational lessons 

• Lower engagement and motivation in the classroom 

• Increased risk of dropping out 

Lizardo understands that attendance is more than just a statistic—it directly impacts a student’s ability to succeed. Without regular attendance, students face academic setbacks that can follow them throughout their educational journey. 

After years of success as a principal, Lizardo took on leadership roles at the district level, where he could scale his engagement strategies to an even larger audience. As a district leader, he has: 

• Implemented attendance intervention programs to reduce chronic absenteeism. 

• Expanded mental health services to support students facing personal challenges. 

• Partnered with local businesses and organizations to provide students with career pathways and mentorship. 

His leadership has transformed student engagement at a district-wide level, proving that one educator’s vision can create lasting change. 

The Impact of Lizardo’s Efforts 

Thanks to Lizardo’s student-centered approach, schools have reported: 

• Higher attendance rates 

• Stronger student-teacher relationships 

• Improved academic performance 

• Increased participation in extracurricular activities 

His success demonstrates that engagement is the key to unlocking student potential. 

Conclusion 

Reny Lizardo journey from principal to leader is a testament to the power of engagement in education. By fostering strong student-teacher relationships, making learning relevant, and amplifying student voices, he has helped countless students reconnect with their education. 

His work proves that when students feel engaged, they succeed—a lesson that every educator can learn from.