Weekly Teacher Download for January 14

ALL TEACHERS

Last Call—HISD Foundation Grant: The HISD Foundation is now accepting applications for its Innovation Fund program, which provides funds for teachers and schools to develop innovative projects that lead to increased student success. The Foundation will award up to $150,000 through the Innovation Grant, which will allow teachers in grades Pre-K through 12 to apply for a $3,000 – $7,000 grant. Two or more teachers from the same school can also apply for a Teacher Collaborative Grant ranging from $5,000 – $10,000. For more information on the innovation grant, click here. To apply for the grant, teachers and schools can click here. Deadline to apply is January 18.

EMERGE Program: EMERGE is asking teachers to help them recruit students for their program. Every spring, EMERGE begins seeking competitive applicants, who often credit teachers for encouraging them to apply. Interested applicants should be economically disadvantaged and generally are first-generation graduates from a four-year college or university. Those interested should also have a strong academic profile that includes getting good grades in rigorous courses. Students can apply here until Thursday, Feb. 14. Click here for the flyer.

Superintendent Search: The HISD Board of Education has met with a consultant from Hazard, Young, Attea and Associates (HYA) to establish a timeline for the district’s Superintendent search. Beginning January 14, HYA will offer opportunities for community and staff input via community forums, focus group meetings, and survey opportunities.  The specific dates and details of these activities will be shared by the district.

ELEMENTARY

Early Dismissal Trainings: The Elementary Curriculum and Development is committed to providing teachers with high quality professional development, which includes early dismissal trainings. The trainings will consist of just-in-time curriculum-based professional development and instructional planning sessions. Sessions will be aligned to the HISD Elementary Scope and Sequence and Unit Planning Guides. The target audiences are Pre-K through fifth-grade teachers in the content areas of reading/writing, math, science and social studies. For more information on the next training on Friday, Jan. 18 and OneSource course numbers, click here.

SECONDARY

Super Saturday: The Secondary Curriculum and Development department wants you to start the New Year energized learning new tools at Super Saturday on January 26 at Sterling Aviation Early College (11625 Martindale, 77048) from 9 a.m.-Noon. Participants can explore the new and improved HUM, engage in innovative math lessons, learn to design graphics using Adobe Spark, and more. Other sessions will feature Google, Formative Assessment and On-Track. For details, click here.

CTE PD—Soft Skill: Come learn about soft skills that will better prepare students for the workforce on January 18 at Sterling Aviation Early College High School (11625 Martindale, 77048) from 1:30-4 p.m. Workforce Solutions will be there to focus on employability skills from proper handshaking, to networking, to writing a 30 second commercial, and much more.  This workshop is ideal for practicum teachers and will be filled with hands-on-activities, which can be incorporated into any CTE course.  Register in OneSource, course #1394002 and bring a laptop.

CTE PD—Classroom Management and Strategies: Come out and sharpen your classroom management skills on January 18 at Kashmere High School, Room 115 (6900 Wileyvale Rd., 77028) from 1:30-4 p.m. Teachers will engage in a series of best practices that will yield student success and build a positive classroom environment. Participants will also learn effective classroom management skills that may be used by any CTE teacher regardless of how many years they have been in the classroom. Teaching strategies will be demonstrated to participants. Every teacher will leave learning how to apply a new strategy into their classroom procedures.

CTE PD—CSWA Test Prep: Attend a two-day CSWA test prep on January 16 and January 23 at Kashmere High School (6900 Wileyvale Rd., 77028) from 8:30 a.m.-4:40 p.m. The test prep will provide teachers with resources needed to prepare students for the CSWA exam. Participants will also concentrate on preparing for the Certified SolidWorks Associate Exam.  It is recommended that the user have six to nine months of SolidWorks experience and that they have taken the Beginning, Intermediate, and Advanced SolidWorks course for STEM teachers.