Most university professors would be disappointed to discover their students playing cards online during class. However, Dr. Rod Uzat, assistant professor for UT Permian Basin’s College of Education, eagerly encourages it.
Budget Hold’em, a nod to the popular poker game Texas Hold’em, is a gamified lesson that demonstrates to students—all prospective superintendents—how to budget with their school board. The simulation is invaluable to those seeking leadership positions in their district, as it mirrors real-life budgetary decisions they’ll have to make—minus the stakes.
Master District Finances Through Gamified Learning
When Dr. Uzat discovered Budget Hold’em, an interactive district budgeting program designed by the nonprofit Education Resource Strategies, he saw its skill-building potential and quickly integrated it into his curriculum. The game is featured in District School Finance, a core course from UTPB’s 16-credit online Superintendent Certification program.
“Let’s say we have 10-12 people for a synchronous session,” Dr. Uzat explains. “I’ll break them into rooms of three or four and then say, ‘OK, one of you share your screen, bring up the game,’ and they play it and talk through it together.”
Dr. Uzat then reconvenes his students to see if anyone has questions before putting them back into their groups: “[I say], ‘Go ahead and make your budget through a consensus conversation.’ I let them do that for 45-50 minutes and pull them back into the main room and we have a roundtable.”
Key Takeaways
Dr. Uzat ends each game session with several key questions, including:
- What did you come up with?
- What are your three big takeaways from this?
- What would it tell you about board members?
The discussion provides Superintendent Certification students with indispensable insight into the components and possible outcomes of the budgeting process.
Real-World Relevance: A Principal’s Perspective
Amy Russell, principal of Bowie Middle School in Ector County ISD, recently completed District School Finance and recalled that Budget Hold’em was “absolutely a favorite”:
“One of your cards could be $1,000,000 worth of software for kids that will help them in math. Another card might be five brand new teachers that your campus can use to help increase your reading scores. You have all these cards, but you can only play so many. It forces you to start making decisions. Do we want to improve scores or do we want to add buildings?”
Overall, Russell found the online course District School Finance highly practical and relevant to her work. “The finances and resources we learned about from a superintendent’s point of view,” Russell noted, “in ECISD, we use that same format because principals are the discretionary appointees of our campus money. So that was a big help.”
Tackle Everyday District Challenges With Expert Guidance
While Budget Hold’em is a standout feature of the course, students enrolled in District School Finance use a variety of tools and resources to explore essential topics in district school financing. Students are prepared to capably lead on issues they’ll encounter daily as superintendents, including:
- Texas public-school funding
- School bond issues
- The board’s role in financial responsibility
- Use of public funds
- Conflicts of interest
- Liability and insurance
- Transportation
- Financial compliance issues
- Budgeting and budgetary model comparisons
See the full list of courses for our Superintendent Certification program.
Future Superintendents Are Made Here
Your TEA-approved superintendent EPP is here, online. UTPB’s Superintendent Certification program is laser-focused on equipping principals and assistant principals to advance into district leadership as certified superintendents in Texas.
Why Choose Our Program?
- Practical, Real-World Focus: Unique to UTPB, your practicum is built into every course you take rather than a stand-alone experience.
- Innovative, Experienced, Collaborative Faculty: Learn and work together with leaders who will help you find local, achievable solutions to real problems you face.
- Flexible Online Format: Ideal for working professionals seeking career advancement.
- Mentorship and Collegial Support You Can Always Count On: At UTPB, faculty are available for advice long after completing the program and our seven synchronous meetings per course build valuable, lasting connections for administrators.
- An Efficient, Affordable Credential: Enjoy one of the lowest tuition rates among accredited universities nationwide. Finish in as little as two semesters.
Online Superintendent Certification Program FAQ
Q: Who is eligible for this program?
A: Campus administrators, aspiring school staff, and district leaders with a master’s degree who are interested in making a difference at the highest levels.
Q: Is this program recognized by the Texas Education Agency (TEA)?
A: Yes, our Superintendent Certification program is TEA-approved. It’s also CAEP-accredited and ASEP-accredited.
Q: What if I live outside of Texas?
A: Contact Dr. Uzat for assistance in confirming your state’s certification requirements.