Veterans Lead the Way: Innovative Partnership Transforms Houston

In a city known for pioneering solutions to community challenges, Solel International’s latest partnership with Houston Independent School District (HISD) emerges from a uniquely qualified perspective: its founder’s own journey from military service through classroom teaching to community leadership. 

Danny Asberry El, Solel International’s founder and president, brings a rare trifecta of experience to the organization’s innovative “Boots to Class” program. His path – from military veteran to middle school teacher to community innovator – embodies the very transformation he now orchestrates for others.

“Teaching in middle school showed me how military discipline and creative expression could revolutionize a classroom,” reflects Asberry El, whose teaching career merged his military precision with his lifelong passion for the arts. “When you combine structured leadership with creative engagement, you unlock students’ potential in unprecedented ways.”

This distinctive blend of discipline and creativity has become the cornerstone of Solel’s educational initiative. “What we’re creating here isn’t just another veteran transition program,” Asberry El explains. “We’re crafting an educational approach that balances the structure and leadership inherent in military service with the creative, adaptive thinking essential for modern education.”

Operating from its dynamic hub at TXRX Labs, Solel International brings this tested formula to its HISD partnership. The organization’s track record speaks volumes – from creating Houston’s first Augmented Reality Mural to establishing international arts education initiatives across borders from Brazil to Bahrain. Featured on ABC News and highlighted in TED Talks, Solel’s approach to community revival has earned accolades from the Houston City Council and federal government alike.

“Asberry El’s background as both a veteran and educator gives unique credibility to this initiative,” notes a senior HISD administrator. “He’s not just theorizing about classroom transformation – he’s lived it. That experience is invaluable in preparing other veterans for their teaching careers.”

The partnership leverages Solel’s comprehensive suite of services, including technology design and security solutions, demonstrating its capability to deliver professional-grade services to institutional partners. This technological prowess, combined with Asberry El’s firsthand understanding of classroom dynamics, creates a robust foundation for the program’s success.

“In my classroom, I saw how military precision could create the structure students need, while artistic expression opened doors to engagement and understanding,” Asberry El shares. “Now, we’re scaling that approach through veterans who bring their own unique blend of discipline and creativity.”

The collaboration extends beyond traditional teacher placement. Housed within Northwood Manor, Second Wards, TXRX Labs’ innovative makerspace environment, Solel International provides veteran educators access to cutting-edge resources that have powered their other successful initiatives, from augmented reality projects to international arts education programs.

Industry experts note that Solel’s approach to the veterans’ teaching program mirrors their successful community revival strategy – identifying needs, leveraging technology and expertise, and creating sustainable solutions. “When you combine military service with creative education, you get teachers who can both maintain classroom structure and inspire innovation,” explains an education policy expert. “That’s what makes this program truly exceptional.”

As the program gains momentum, both organizations are focused on measuring outcomes and ensuring sustainable growth. The partnership’s success could serve as a model for other school districts looking to enhance their teaching staff while supporting veteran transition into meaningful second careers.

For Houston’s students, this means exposure to educators who bring unique perspectives on leadership, resilience, and real-world problem-solving, guided by an organization that understands firsthand the delicate balance between discipline and creativity in the classroom. For veterans, it offers a structured pathway to continue their service to community through education, led by someone who has successfully navigated the same transition.

Those interested in learning more about the Boots to Class program or Solel International’s other professional services at solelint.org/education or visit their operations at TXRX Labs, where innovation and community empowerment continue to shape Houston’s future.