Weekly Teacher Download for the week of Nov. 7, 2016

ALL TEACHERS

• Online webcast provides inspiring story, practical ideas: Register for Education on Air: It Takes a Teacher, a free online conference Dec. 2-3, 2016, where teachers can share with and learn from other educators around the globe. Scheduled to speak are Eric Schmidt, executive chairman of Alphabet, Dr. Jill Biden, second lady of the U.S., and Jahana Hayes, a recent national Teacher of the Year winner from Connecticut, who will speak about how she keeps her students engaged. Attendees also will get tips and tools to help boost student engagement, collaboration and productivity in the classroom. Regardless of the age of the students you teach, you’ll hear practical tips from other educators that you can apply right away. Register for the online conference by clicking here.
• Nominations for HAABSE’s Outstanding Teacher Awards due by Nov. 18: The Houston Area Alliance of Black School Educators is seeking nominations for their Outstanding Teacher Awards and Recognition Ceremony. Recipients are chosen based on demonstrated extraordinary teaching and learning practices with students on their campus. Teacher nominees from each participating school will be recognized and honored before the winners are revealed at HAABSE’s ceremony on Jan. 18, 2017. Click here for more information on the nomination process. Nominations for the 2016-2017 HAABSE Outstanding Teacher Award will be accepted online through Nov. 18, 2016.
• Resource to help support students with disabilities in inclusive classrooms: The Texas Education Agency is providing a new tool to help teachers support students with disabilities and learning difficulties. Targeting the 2 Percent (T2%) is a free grades K-5, ELA, and reading resource designed to improve the instruction, content knowledge, and academic achievement of Texas students transitioning from assessments based on modified standards to the STAAR. T2% provides teachers with research-based products and online resources. There are mini-lessons structured around five essential components of reading instruction: phonological awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. The lessons are appropriate for use by all reading teachers. For a direct link to the resources, click here. For additional information, contact Barbara Mullen at bmullen@houstonisd.org or 713-556-7025.
• Are you up for the challenge? The Bebras Computing Challenge is a fun, interactive, 45-minute contest that introduces students to computational thinking to get them excited about computing and improve their problem-solving skills. The challenge, which is open to fifth- through 12th-grade students worldwide, will take place Nov. 7-18, 2016. HISD was the largest 2015 participant nationwide, with more than 7,000 students taking part in the challenge last November, and the district hopes to continue to lead the nation in participation this year.  Challenge yourself, a colleague, or another school by sharing out on Twitter using #Bebras. Click here for more information and how to participate.

ELEMENTARY TEACHERS

• Sign up now for STEM Engineering Design Challenges: Engaging students in engineering design challenges provides opportunities for critical thinking and problem-solving in a PBL format. The Advanced Academics Department’s STEM Teacher Development Team will present the HISD Cycle 2 Engineering Design Challenges for all elementary teachers. K–5 grade-level sessions are 4:30-6:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 7, or Tuesday, Nov. 8. Each challenge is aligned to grade-level TEKS, and teachers will have the opportunity to experience the challenge and plan for implementation. All sessions will be held in the Ryan Professional Development Center auditorium, 4001 Hardy St. Register in OneSource, Course Number 80001, for elementary teachers.

SECONDARY TEACHERS

• Free STEM kits from CITGO, Civil Air Patrol:  An education in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) can pave the way to an exciting and rewarding career for today’s students. As demand increases for skilled workers, an education in STEM gives students the power to find better jobs and economic opportunities. As part of a special partnership with the Civil Air Patrol (CAP), CITGO is offering teachers free STEM kits developed by CAP for their classrooms or after-school clubs. If you are interested in receiving a robotics and/or hydraulic engineering STEM kit, email Debbie Dahl at ddahl@capnhq.gov and provide your name, grade(s) taught, school, and number of students. Kits will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Calculator training for Pre-AP math grades 7-8, Algebra 1: Continuing a yearlong series, RUSMP will provide training and new activities aligned to the upcoming six weeks’ cycle for Pre-AP Grade 7 math, Grade 8 math, and algebra 1. Research has demonstrated that consistent and frequent use of calculators bridges achievement gaps and increases student learning – not just for the current year, but in subsequent years as well. This is a critical strategy that deepens student understanding while maximizing engagement. Please note that available dates have changed: 4:30-6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 8, at Cullen Middle School and 4:30-6:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 10, at Hogg Middle School. For additional information, including OneSource registration information, click here.

NEW TEACHERS

• New Teacher Saturdays: These training sessions provide a variety of engaging, relevant, research-based instructional strategies that will enhance your teaching skills. And did we mention there will be door prizes? Topics and labs include – but are not limited to – innovative classroom-management techniques, using data to improve instruction, effective ways to communicate with parents, a TADS Talk for new and experienced teachers, and creating a climate of success for all. These optional trainings provide networking and resource opportunities to enhance every level of teaching professionals in HISD. Please note that these training sessions are optional for teachers but are an excellent opportunity to develop skills, techniques, and strategies in a small environment. Registration is available in OneSource using Course Number 63012. New Teacher Saturday is scheduled for 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Nov. 12 at Austin High School. A New Teacher Focus Group will follow from 1:30-2:30 p.m. Please bring your laptop and power cord. If you have questions, email newteachersupport@houstonisd.org.

BILINGUAL/ESL TEACHERS

• Updated timeline for HAABE’s Bilingual, ESL Teacher of the Year competition: Click here to get more information about how elementary, middle, and high schools should nominate teachers for the Houston Area Association of Bilingual Educators’ Bilingual and ESL Teachers of the Year. Campus winners will submit the Application Packet and a Letter of Recommendation from their principal to the Multilingual Programs Department, attention Terrie Armstrong, at the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center before 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2, 2016.  Elementary, middle, and high school winners will be celebrated at the HAABE Teacher of the Year Luncheon on May 6, 2017.

READ OF THE WEEK

• How to effectively use play-based instructional techniques

TEACHER DEAL OF THE WEEK

• Houston Rockets’ HISD Educator Appreciation Nights