Weekly Teacher Download for March 12

ALL TEACHERS

Academics

Are you interested in learning more about the DDI Specialist program? Do you enjoy supporting teachers in PLCs and using data to inform instruction? Student Assessment is hosting this cohort to help develop skills in aspiring DDIS in conjunction with Leadership and Development.  Student Assessment is seeking interested candidates for the DDIS cohort and possible candidates for future DDIS support in schools. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply online by March 24, 2021. Please contact Student Assessment at 713-349-7460 for assistance and/or questions. DDIS cohort application link: http://tiny.cc/DDIS2021.

Latinx Teachers’ Fellowship opportunity

The Latinx Teachers’ Fellowship will provide a national cohort of 45-75 Latinx K-12 teachers with a learning network of peers and the tools to collaboratively prepare to maintain and improve the skills needed to serve large ELL populations during the re-entry process. Applications are now open. The fellowship carries a stipend of $25 per hour up to 25 hours. Apply at https://www.tfaforms.com/4881244. The priority deadline is April 12, and the final deadline is May 10. Visit their website at www.latinosforeducation.org. For more information, see this flyer and this story.

Multilingual

Save the date! The third annual multilingual symposium, “The Blueprint: Engineering Foundations that Build Academic Language,” via Teams is set for June 25-26, 2021. The deadline to register is June 24, 2021. See this story for more information.

Special Education

Part 3: Antiracism and Designing Instruction

Goalbook, the web-based resource that provides academic and behavior strategies, will host the final session of its three-part webinar series focused on using their resources to create an anti-racist learning environment so that all students succeed. Please contact jander13@houstonisd.org or call 713-556-6844 with questions. Click on this date to register: March 23 at 2:30 p.m.

Strategy and Innovation
HISD is seeking innovative project proposals from educators for HISD By Design, a new program aimed at funding innovative projects and programs from educators that directly impacts student achievement. The application deadline is March 24, 2021, at 11:59 p.m. If you missed the informational webinar, you are in luck! You can watch the video here. To learn more about HISD By Design, visit HoustonISD.org/HISDByDesign.

Social and Emotional Learning
Teachers, if you would like to encourage the “camera on” function by shaping behavior, begin with rewarding behaviors that ultimately lead students to gain confidence and ease anxieties that come with keeping the “camera on.” Shaping can take as long as your learners need and focuses on rewarding those engaging in the behavior. Plan to have an engaging 10 seconds in class for students to turn on their cameras and participate. Reward using classroom reinforcement systems, and repeat this for one to two weeks, increasing “camera on” time to 30 seconds and rewarding those who participate. Continue to increase the time as you see fit and always reinforce those who participate.

SECONDARY TEACHERS

Cesar Chavez–Dolores Huerta Student Symposium

In honor of the Cesar Chavez–Dolores Huerta holiday, HISD is pleased to announce the inaugural “Cesar Chavez–Dolores Huerta Student Symposium.” The theme is “The Power of Your Voice,” and students will focus on advocacy. The deadline to submit student projects is March 22. The virtual event will be held from 9:00–11:15 a.m. on Saturday, March 27. Students in grades 6-12 will create and present projects based on this year’s theme. Teachers are encouraged to offer extra credit or one grade replacement for the course in which the project is created.

Project Outline: Grade 6–12 students complete a project related to the annual theme by conducting primary and secondary research on the importance of advocacy. Each submission will address the following questions:

• How have the lives of Chavez and Huerta inspired you to advocate for your community? 
• How is their message still relevant today?

Students will present their work in the form of an essay, documentary or website. For more information, see Virtual Cesar Chavez-Dolores Huerta Student Symposium.

Career and Technical Education
Attention all middle and high school CTE teachers, as well as CTE administrators: Please view the Weekly CTE Bulletin for the latest CTE updates, highlights, curriculum, certification and instructional support. You will also find Region 4 professional learning opportunities, summer professional development requests, teacher-led professional development requests, virtual programs, workshops, conferences, scholarship opportunities for high school seniors, career tips, teacher resources, and opportunities for juniors and seniors to engage with professionals. Sign in here using your credentials to visit the Career Readiness Course on the HUB for weekly announcements.

 2021 Virtual Girls Construction Camp for 8^th-grade female students and their parents, teachers, and school counselors. In an effort to inspire young women to consider a career in the construction industry, CMEF’s Construction Careers Youth Committee is partnering with local industry female professionals to facilitate the 2021 Virtual Girls Construction Camp on March 30 from 10:00-10:40 a.m. The focus of the camp is to provide the students with a new awareness and appreciation for the construction industry and its vast diversity of career opportunities, as well as provide students with information that will assist them in their decision to select a Graduation Endorsement Plan and Career Pathway they may not have otherwise considered. A Teams link will be sent the week of March 22. For more information see this flyer and contact Dr. Steven Horton at s.horton@cmefhouston.org or 281-478-3920.

Save the Date: When I Grow Up, the ninth annual career expo for HISD students in grades K-12, is going to be virtual this year. Set for 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 17, it features hands-on career exploration, summer job opportunities, raffles, prizes, and entertainment. See this flyer for more information.

ELEMENTARY AND PRE-K TEACHERS

Houston Dynamo/Dash Soccer Starts at Home Program

Virtual Learning Classes: weekly classes will be hosted every Wednesday at 6 p.m. through May 26 for parents and children ages 3-5. Parents can register at this link. Once registered, they will not have to re-register for each session. Parents will receive a follow-up email prior to the start of every Wednesday session. These virtual classes support parents with the implementation of the program at home.