By: Krystle Moos
The beginning of the school year is a special and inspiring time for students, educators, and administrators. It is a season to imagine the possibilities for each student and the new opportunities that lie ahead. As classrooms take shape and class lists are released, educators and school leaders prepare environments to discover and develop the unique gifts of each student. Through my work with the Baylor Center for School Leadership (BCSL), I have had the privilege of celebrating with schools in Wichita, Kansas and Central Texas to share the excitement that makes the start of the school year so special. It carries the promise that each student who walks through the door will be seen for who they are and recognized for the limitless potential of who they can become.
Wichita Roundhouse Rally: Embracing Joy to Spark Gritty Optimism
When the BCSL was invited to Wichita Public School District’s annual Rally at the Roundhouse, we took our work on the road to see how 8,000 educators celebrated the start of a new school year. Serving nearly 50,000 students in 88 schools across the district, Superintendent Kelly Bielefeld began a tradition to inspire and energize everyone in the district for the year ahead. Imagine school-themed trivia, an all-out mascot dance-off, and enough energy to outlast even the rowdiest middle schoolers. The energy shifted from playful to powerful as keynote speaker Dr. Jon Eckert took the stage to remind everyone that schools are joyful places, not in spite of challenges but because of them. This event was nothing short of an unforgettable pep rally to kick off what promises to be the greatest year ever.
Looking ahead to the start of the 2026 school year, the BCSL hopes to create the same inspiring tradition in Waco, Texas. August 3, 2026, we plan to bring together 7,500 educators at Foster Pavilion on Baylor’s campus to celebrate the start of an incredible school year. Educators need to experience the job that comes from the profession that makes all others possible. After seeing how Wichita Public Schools celebrated alongside their teachers, I know that our Culture of Joy 2026 event will bring the same energy and inspiration. I encourage everyone to get involved and represent your school at this event.
Midway ISD’s Back to School Summit: Discovering Joy and Connection
Back in Central Texas, BCSL joined 1,200 administrators, teachers, and support staff from Midway Independent School District at their annual Back to School Summit. Having taught in Midway ISD before stepping out of the classroom, this event was especially meaningful for me. It is a privilege to still be able to support the incredible teachers and staff who pour into students each day.
The summit was filled with energy as educators taught their colleagues strategies to inspire student learning, from sessions on the Enneagram to innovative approaches for teaching content. Dr. Jon Eckert delivered keynote addresses for both elementary and secondary staff, sparking meaningful conversations about supporting every student. Amy Becker, a gifted and talented teacher at MISD, reflected on how his comparison of joy and happiness offered a fresh perspective for life as an educator, parent, and friend.
Baylor’s School of Education Kick-Off: Launching the New Year for Aspiring Educators
There is nothing more exciting than watching a room full of current and future educators interacting in preparation for a school year. Baylor’s School of Education invites its teacher candidates onto campus early as they begin a year-old placement at local schools. As the preservice teachers entered the Hurd Welcome Center, they were greeted with cheers and celebration as they met for the first time with their cooperating teacher. As I watched the pairs meet for the first time, there was an excitement of all the possibilities when experienced and novice educators are able to work together to share their ideas for student growth.
This kick-off event is designed to provide the foundation for strong relationships and support systems that build a culture of collaboration. While experienced teachers shared their experiences and expertise, teacher candidates dug into their desire to receive feedback toward improvement. This partnership is one that creates lasting mentorship opportunities that extend beyond the collaboration that occurs in the classroom. Walking alongside one another throughout the school year, these teachers strengthen their ability to reach each student and leave a lasting impact.
Embracing the Journey: Finding Joy in Education
Each school year begins with the hope of what each student will become from the lessons that occur within and beyond the walls of the classroom. There is a shared commitment to supporting educators and students evident in the way that districts build community in schools from Kansas to Central Texas. These back-to-school celebrations remind us that the work in education is filled with opportunities for growth, joy, and connection. Through collaboration, inspiration, and gritty optimism this school year, educators are positioned to find joy in the profession that makes all others possible.
About the Author
Krystle Moos serves as the Director of Operations and Management for the School of Education’s Baylor Center for School Leadership (BCSL). She works closely with the BCSL team to support the department’s mission. Through her role she engages in the thriving community of Christian leadership in schools and districts. She provides operational support toward partnerships with Texas schools, participation in externally funded projects, and workflow design for daily operations of the BCSL.
Moos joined Baylor University in the summer of 2025 from a position in Midway Independent School District, where she previously worked as a secondary science teacher at Midway High School.
Moos was awarded 2024 Outstanding Texas Educator from Texas Academy of Science, 2023 Texas State Finalist for Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST), and 2021-2022 Texas Region 12 Teacher of the Year. She has held a certification for the National Board Professional Teaching Standard since 2021.