Refer a critical-shortage teacher and you could win an iPad mini
![](http://www.houstonisd.org/cms/lib2/TX01001591/Centricity/domain/4/120613enews/WinaniPad_300.jpeg)
Janowski ES teacher Elsa Simon (center) received an iPad Mini from HISD’s Human Resources department in November after winning a drawing for employees who referred candidates for critical-shortage area teaching positions. With her are HR representatives Sherelle Foust (L), Patra Brannon (R), and some of Simon’s students.
Do you know someone who’d be a great candidate for an open teaching position at HISD?
If so, then let us know through the district’s Teacher Referral Campaign!
Elsa Simon, a third-grade bilingual teacher at Janowski Elementary School, referred her friend and college classmate Flor Magaña-Herrera last April, and six months later, she won an iPad mini for her trouble.
Simon was entered into a drawing for the iPad by HISD’s Human Resources department after Magaña-Herrera was hired as a bilingual teacher at McNamara Elementary School.
“I didn’t realize I was eligible to win anything at the time,” said Simon, now in her third year of teaching. “I just knew my friend was looking for a teaching position, and she didn’t know which district to go to. I’ve had such a great experience here, I suggested she apply to HISD.”
Any district employee can refer a candidate for a full-time teaching position, but only those who refer candidates who are subsequently hired into critical shortage positions are eligible for the drawing.
A total of 560 individuals were referred last year through the 2013–2014 Teacher Referral Campaign, and of those, 320 applied, 94 were hired, and 30 filled what are considered critical shortage areas, such as high school math, high school science, Spanish, and bilingual education.
The campaign for the 2014–2015 school year is already underway, and referrals will be accepted until the day before school starts (Aug. 24, 2014).
If you’d like to refer someone (even yourself!), please fill out this online form.