Join Us Next Year!
2026 Conference
November 10-12, 2026
San Antonio, TX
Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center
Apply for the Anita Villarreal Innovation in Engagement Award
The annual Anita Villarreal Innovation in Engagement Awards are held at the conference every year!
The Anita Villarreal Innovation in Engagement Award honors Anita Villarreal's legacy and her lifelong commitment to family engagement and educational innovation. Anita spent nearly three decades with the Texas Education Agency dedicated to Title I and migrant students which also earned her the 2024 Bob Harmon Service to Education Award.
Taking inspiration from her work, the Parent and Family Engagement Statewide Initiative accepts applications from districts and/or schools who are implementing practices that yield high parent and family engagement. These practices are rated on:
the goal of the practice,
evidence of increased student outcomes, and
if all stakeholders are involved in the data collection, planning collaboration, and the evaluation processes.
To apply for this award, click below.