Principal Renee Canales Wins ABL Champion for Change Award | Jenks Elementary Hosts Annual ABL Summit — KATY, TX
Katy, TX — MayDell Jenks Elementary continues to set the gold standard for student learning, proving that when students move, they succeed. At the helm of this educational transformation is Principal Renee Canales, who was recently honored with the ABL Champion for Change Award for her relentless dedication to changing kids' lives through movement.
Under Principal Canales’ visionary leadership, what began as a localized initiative at Jenks Elementary has ignited a district-wide movement. Canales is now paving the way for all of Katy ISD, continuously training her staff and championing a shift toward movement-based teaching to support whole-child success across the district.
Hosting the Annual ABL Summit
Because of this incredible momentum and expertise, MayDell Jenks Elementary is thrilled to host the ABL Summit for another year! Educators and administrators from across the region will gather at Jenks to witness firsthand how purposeful movement transforms the modern classroom. Hosting this summit for a second year is a massive milestone and a testament to the hard work of Canales and her dedicated staff in creating a vibrant environment where neuroscience meets daily instruction.
A Vision Built on Experience and Science
Principal Canales’ passion stems from over a decade of firsthand success using ABL strategies. After witnessing how purposeful movement improved student engagement, focus, and academic outcomes during her time in Alief ISD, she brought that drive to the Jenks community—and now, she is sharing it with the entire district.
“Movement isn’t a break from learning — it activates learning,” said Canales. “Our students deserve research-backed tools that support their brain development, confidence, and academic success. ABL allows us to meet students where they are developmentally, helping them grow emotionally, socially, and academically.”
By investing in specialized ABL labs, cross-lateral movement equipment, and—most importantly—continuous professional development for her educators, Canales ensures that movement-based instruction is intentional, skill-building, and deeply aligned with academic goals in literacy and math.
Action Based Learning is a nationally recognized program grounded in neuroscience and more than 30 years of educational research. The approach is proven to increase attention, memory recall, and classroom readiness, giving students a rock-solid foundation for success.
“We are proud to build a learning environment where students of all abilities can thrive,” Canales added. “This is one more way Jenks Elementary is preparing every learner for the future.”
With her recent recognition as a Certified ABL Champion and the excitement of hosting the ABL Summit for a second year, Principal Canales is proving that purposeful movement is the future of education. Congratulations to Renee and the entire MayDell Jenks Elementary team for leading the way!
