Weekly Teacher Download for February 10

Speak Out on School Safety: As the district continues to explore measures to increase safety and security on our campuses, we want to hear from you. We have made an online form available on the district’s website for you to submit recommendations on how to improve campus safety and security. To offer your feedback, visit HoustonISD.org/SchoolSafety. Your recommendations could be general or specific to one campus. No suggestion is too large or too small – we want to hear all ideas. Also, take the time to watch an HISD Communications produced PSA encouraging students to “See Something, Say Something” to raise awareness around school safety and to help promote the district’s anonymous tip line to report incidents.

ALL TEACHERS

HISD Self-Care Initiative: Have you ever experienced burnout as a teacher? The Social and Emotional Learning Department will host a self-care series on February 12 and 26, where SEL trainers will hold one-hour yoga, mindfulness and other self-care sessions for teachers and district staff. This initiative is targeted to help teachers and staff avoid burnout, improve mental wellness and staff morale. Participants may register for the course in One Source, #1441062. For more information, click here. Principals can request to host a session for their campus teams by contacting Nicole Batiste at nbatiste@houstonisd.org.

Sheltered Instruction PD: The Multilingual Programs will offer Sheltered Instruction and Instructional Strategies Professional Development on February 22 from 8-11 a.m. for teachers who serve English Learners.  The goal is to equip all teachers who serve the needs of English Learners, Newcomers, and SIFE students with the best research-based practices. Participants will leave equipped with simple and flexible strategies for daily use to engage all students across content areas in reading, writing, listening, speaking, and thinking in every classroom.For more information on how to register and OneSource course numbers, click here.

Info Session-Early Reading Specialist: The Elementary Curriculum and Development team will host an informational session for any qualified teacher interested in becoming an Early Literacy Reading Specialist on February 10, February 17 and February 24 from 4:30-5:30 p.m. at Hattie Mae White Board Auditorium (4400 West 18^th St., 77092). During the 86th legislative session, new reading requirements were included in House Bill 3, which states kindergarten through third-grade teachers are required to participate in professional development known as Reading Academies that focus on teaching core reading and writing skills. To learn more about the cohort and requirements, click here.

Campus TOY Nominations: Principal nominations for Campus Teacher of the Year are due by Friday, February 14 for this year’s Educators of the Year event, which will be held on Friday, May 1 at the Royal Sonesta-Houston Hotel. It’s important that you submit your nominations that will recognize 2019-2020 teachers who have provided an extra touch to truly enhance students’ performance and experiences. Nominations for Outstanding Beginning Teachers of the Year, Librarians and Instructional Coaches should also be submitted on February 14. To submit your nomination, click here.

Grant Writing Course: If you are interested in learning how to effectively write a grant proposal, you are invited to Grants 102: Fundamentals of Grant Writing workshop on February 19 at HISD Education Learning Center (10725 Mesa Dr., 77078). The course will provide participants with an opportunity to understand the content for completing a competitive grant proposal that highlights the key elements including goals and outcomes. To register, visit OneSource course #1441063.

Student Assessment Summit: The Student Assessment Department will be hosting a 2020 Spring Student Assessment Summit on February 29 from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. at Lawson Middle School (1400 Stancliff St., 77045). Sessions will focus on how to make summative and formative connections to STAAR and will include state accountability, designated supports, TEKS monitoring, data tracking systems, as well as critical reports for teachers and leaders. Register today in OneSource, course #1440130.

SECONDARY

Code.org Training: The Rice University School Mathematics Project (Rice USMP) Code.org Professional Learning Program is offering summer professional development to new as well as experienced teachers. The program is geared towards providing opportunities for teachers with diverse teaching backgrounds to engage with curricular materials, CS content, and pedagogy. The program provides ongoing support for teachers as they prepare to teach either Computer Science Discoveries, an introductory computer science course for middle and high school students, and Computer Science Principles, a higher-level introductory course for high school students. Teachers are encouraged to attend an information session on February 22 at Garden Oaks Montessori (901 Sue Barnett Dr.,77018). To RSVP, click here. For more information on the program courses, click here.