Weekly Teacher Download for Feb. 11

ALL TEACHERS

Black History Month: HISD is celebrating Black History Month by commemorating district alumni and staff who are considered groundbreakers and trailblazers. The district created a poster and series of table tent cards that will be placed in break rooms and Hattie Mae’s cafe that will feature African-Americans who are former HISD staff and/or students and have made contributions to art, literature, business, sports and pop culture. To further celebrate Black History Month, a special musical performance by teachers will be presented at noon on Tuesday, Feb. 12 at Hattie Mae’s cafe at the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center (4400 W. 18th St., 77092). To view this year’s flyer, click here.

New Teacher Summit: If you’re a new teacher, don’t miss the New Teacher Summit on Friday, Feb. 15 or Saturday, Feb. 16 at the HISD Education Learning Center (10725 Mesa Dr., 77078). Full-time teachers are encouraged to attend and gain an opportunity to strengthen instructional skills and learn more about specific and actionable effective practice techniques to add to their teacher toolkit. Participants will also be eligible for a $50 professional development stipend payment. If interested and for more information on sessions, please register here. Breakout sessions can also be added as Professional Development Activities in your Individual Professional Development Plan (IPDP).

Lead4ward Science PD: ​HISD and Lead4ward are collaborating for a district-wide professional development on Wednesday, Feb. 13 from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., at HISD Education Learning Center (10725 Mesa Dr., 77078). The training titled, “Lead4Ward Science Rockin’ Review, Volume II,” will focus on how to motivate their students to engage with science content that they may have struggled with earlier in the year.  The session is for teachers of fifth- and eighth-grade, and Biology EOC.  Instructional coordinators and science content area leads are encouraged to attend.  Register in OneSource using course code #1190001.

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.

Literacy Refresher Training: The Elementary and Secondary Curriculum and Development Departments is offering leadership refresher courses in the month of February at the Houston Education Learning Center (10725 Mesa Dr., 77078). For more information on dates, location and OneSource course numbers, click here.

Discounted Tickets: Don’t miss the Harlem Globetrotters when they come to town Feb. 15 to Feb. 17. Thanks to the organization, they are offering HISD teachers and staff a discount up to 25 percent. For the discount code, click here. The district is also offering discounted Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo carnival packs. For the link to purchase, click here.

SECONDARY

HCC College Readiness: Do you know a high school senior that has not met college readiness standards? The district has partnered with Houston Community College to provide college preparation courses in Mathematics and English Language Arts for high school seniors on Friday, Feb.22, from 8 a.m.-Noon at Houston Community College West Loop Campus. The partnership also offers professional learning pertaining to the courses for principals, teachers and faculty. Students and teachers can register for the summit here.

CTE Month: Celebrate CTE Month by joining your colleagues at of one the following learning sessions on Feb. 15 from 1:30-4 p.m.  One session will explore ways to integrate digital content using Discovery Education at Waltrip High School (1900 W. 34^th St., 77018). If interested, register in OneSource, course #1431002.  The other session will allow participants to learn from the Texas Workforce Commission on helping students develop effective resumes and cover letters at Sterling High School (11625 Martindale Rd., 77048). Register in OneSource, course #1384003. For ideas on how you can celebrate CTE month, click here.