GISD staff gets ready for new school year with convocation

The Gonzales ISD staff gathered at the J.B. Wells Expo Center for the annual 2023 GISD Convocation Wednesday, Aug. 2.

This year’s event kicked off strong and full of energy with two energetic guest speakers: former professional football player Keith Davis and former UTEP Miner Germard Reed, who gave the staff a fantastic pep talk.

Davis, a former USC Trojan, New York Giant, and current president of Winner’s Organization, spoke to the teachers and staff of GISD about the importance of teamwork and filling in the gap. 

“There is a generation that is coming to school with gaps. Family gaps, homes are in turmoil, kids with emotional gaps, educational gaps,” Davis said “And we talked about every staff member having the privilege and opportunity to show each kid that no matter what's happened in the first half, they can have a great second half.”

Davis’s NFL career was brief, playing only three preseason games with the Giants, but his former defensive coordinator — current New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick — told Davis to do one job: to fill in the gap in children’s lives.

“I share that because no matter what the position here at the district may be — cafeteria worker, bus driver, superintendent or teacher — every child, every child should have every gap filled (in their lives), because we have a love and a passion for them,” Davis said.

Reed spoke in the second half of the convocation, and he talked about the importance of teachers helping students out. 

Reed said sometimes students may not have anything that they need at home, and he added that school gives the teachers the opportunity to help the students be the best that they can be. 

“As always, we continue to push towards giving them the best opportunity to be the best version themselves. That's what it's all about so I'm so grateful for every teacher and staff in the nation,” Reed said. 

Reed had a message to the teachers and staff.

“My motto is don't be average. Don't be good. be great, push yourself and be the best version of yourself — every time, every day, every chance you get, because everybody is meant to be great, but sometimes we have to be shown how to be great,” Reed said. 

Davis also had a message to the GISD as well.

“Remember, you could have more if you don't settle for less. There's got to be more dreams, more hopes, more impact. We're not going to settle for less. We're going to work together to make sure this next generation has a phenomenal future that God has a great plan for their life,” Davis said.