50+ year educator says she’ll leave Team HISD ‘when they push me out on a gurney’
Sue Ann Payne
For someone who never intended to be an educator, Sue Ann Payne has an awfully long history as one. The Austin High School alumna (Class of 1953) now boasts more than 50 years of service to HISD alone, and 55 all together.
“Really and truly, I never wanted to be a teacher,” said Payne. “I was going to UH to work on my master’s degree, and I saw this ad that said emergency teachers were needed in critical shortage areas, so I did it.”
Her first assignment as a kindergarten teacher at Franklin Elementary School did not start off well. “I went home and cried every night just like the children did during the day,” she admitted. “I kept thinking, ‘What have I done?’”
But then her principal found out she had a bachelor’s degree in psychology, and put all 47 “problem” students into a single classroom with her. “He told me those kids had never had anything but failure, so I could do just about anything I wanted with them,” Payne explained. “And I did. We wrote poetry, and did all sorts of things. I loved that class. I had it for two years. And I just fell in love (with education) and never left.”
In addition to teaching, Payne served as a counselor, a principal, and the assistant superintendent of personnel (now HR) before retiring in 1992. But after a four-year stint as the superintendent of Lamondi ISD in Iowa, she returned to HISD at the request of former East District Superintendent Thelma Garza. “She called me the day I got back into Houston and said, ‘Can you come and keep Jackson (Middle School) for me?’ because the principal had left right before school started,” Payne explained. “Since then, I’ve been troubleshooting.”
Now, Payne serves as the manager of the technology program at the East Field Office (as well as president of the Austin High School drill team alumnae organization), and says, “I’ll leave here when they push me out on a gurney. I’ll stay as long as I enjoy doing what I’m doing. It’s been a wonderful experience. I’ve seen so many things change, but there are excellent people working here, the kids are wonderful, and I still love it.”
Payne officially marked her 51st anniversary with the district on Sept. 1, but a few other employees are also marking theirs this week (Sept. 1–6). See if you know anyone on this list:
50 years
- Carolyn Simples, associate teacher
40 years
- Virginia Croft, teacher, Lovett ES
- M’Lina Gong, teacher specialist, Sam Houston MSTC
- Douglas Kelt, teacher, Sam Houston MSTC
35 years
- Bonnie Branch, teacher, Emerson ES
- Don Carter, teacher, Rusk ES
- Charlene Cross, Medicaid manager, Property Management
- Wonder Gatson, assistant principal, Rucker ES
- Linda Hughes, teacher, Harper Alternative
- Kathie Jackson-Guillory, teacher, Fleming MS
- Sandra Silva, clerk, Martinez ES
- Minnie White, custodian, Construction & Facility Services
30 years
- Barbara Ammons, teacher, Austin HS
- Carnell Calhoun, teacher, Bell ES
- Tanya Ordonio, teacher, Whittier ES
- Beverly Smith, specialist, Secondary Curriculum & Instruction
25 years
- Gilda Bordere, teacher, Gross ES
- Kimberly Brooks, teacher, Westbury HS
- MyriamDiaz-Albertini, licensed specialist in school psychology, Child Study
- Roberto Flores, custodian, Construction & Facility Services
- Peggy French, secretary, Johnston MS
- San Juanita Garza, secretary, Milne ES
- Maria Gonzalez, customer service representative, Benefits
- Irene Martinez, custodian, Construction & Facility Services
20 years
- Irene Campos, teaching assistant, Almeda ES
- Maria Rodriquez, teaching assistant, Berry ES
- Mary Simpson, teacher, Madison HS
- Maria Smith, teacher, Fondren MS
15 years
- Arthur Gafford, teacher, Chávez HS
- Donna Raines, clerk, Bellaire HS
- Maria Solis, custodian, Construction & Facility Services
- Shevante Templeton, stadium attendant, Athletics
- Elijah Thomas, teacher, Jordan HS
- Monica Williams, dean of students, Westside HS
10 years
- Cornell Gray, teacher, Furr HS
- Andrea LaFleur, teacher, Osborne ES
- Grace Macklin, teacher, Field ES
- Rebecca Montes, teacher, Hogg MS
- Elizabeth Urbina, clerk, Gregg ES
- Shantelle Williby, teaching assistant, Woodson ES
5 years
- Nataliya Amata, teaching assistant, Fondren ES
- Kenneth Blanche, associate teacher
- John Calhoun, associate teacher
- Sophia Castillo, teacher, Washington HS
- DonJuan Corzo, associate teacher
- Judy Dell ‘Osso, teacher, Travis ES
- Carolyn Douglass, crossing guard, Harvard ES
- Annette Duenes, teacher, J. P. Henderson ES
- Marc Duncan, teacher, HSPVA
- Maryam Ebtehadj, teacher, Pilgrim Academy
- Gail Faerman, associate teacher
- Carol Gonzales, associate teacher
- Morgan Graham, teacher, Jordan HS
- Dewayna Harrold, teaching assistant, Scarborough HS
- Anthony Harvey, teacher, Jones HS
- John Hendrick, associate teacher
- Marilia Jackson, teacher, Hines-Caldwell ES
- Joshua Jones, associate teacher
- Ana Otero-Baez, teaching assistant, Bellaire HS
- Victor Sanchez, teaching assistant, Lyons ES
- Rowland Steptoe, associate teacher
- Annette Williams, associate teacher
- Jennifer Wood, teacher, West University ES
| Check back next Friday for more September Milestones. Leave a comment below if you’d like to congratulate any of the above employees. |
Arnel Alcantra
HISD’s Construction and Facility Services (CFS) department launched an internal Employee of the Month program in June to recognize 24 members of its team per year—one per month from each of its two main branches: facilities (maintenance) and operations (custodial services).
Maria Garcia
The honorees for August are:
- Arnel Alcantara (facilities)—Alcantara is a senior HVAC repairer who was described by his nominators as “the type of employee every department needs. He is dependable, never complains, and always has a positive attitude.”
- Maria Garcia (operations)—Garcia is a custodian at Milby High School who was described by her nominator as “very hard working who makes the most of her time and consistently produces good work. She is very dependable and the go-to person.”
Congratulations to Alcantara and Garcia!
HISD teachers and staff will receive new state-mandated training this year to better equip them with the tools needed to recognize and report child sexual abuse or other maltreatment of children. This new training complements and strengthens the training efforts that HISD already had in place on this important topic.
The Texas Education Agency is requiring all school employees complete a TEA-approved course on the recognition and prevention of sexual abuse and all other maltreatment of children.
All elementary school bus drivers, as well as all elementary school teachers and principals, must complete this training by Sept. 30. Training must be provided by Dec. 31 for all remaining teachers, campus principals, and bus drivers; and by May 31, 2015, for all remaining school staff.
“We support the state’s emphasis on ensuring all school staff are well prepared to recognize the signs of abuse and neglect, and to know how to respond appropriately” said Chief Human Resources Officer Andrew Houlihan. “HISD has long offered training in this area, but this new mandate helps further elevate the important role we can play in early detection and reporting of child abuse.”
State law already requires every HISD employee to immediately report suspected child abuse or neglect. Failure to report is not only a violation of district policy and subject to disciplinary action, but also a Class A Misdemeanor.
Statistics show that school personnel play a key role in child abuse reporting. School officials identify 52 percent of all cases classified as causing harm to the child — more than any other profession or organization, including Child Protective Services and the police.
In the coming weeks, employees will learn more about the new mandate. In particular, the district will be working with campus leadership to offer the appropriate state-approved classes and to ensure all employees take the course.
The new mandate also requires that campuses display posters with information that includes the hotline number for the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, instruction to call 911 and directions to www.txabusehotline.org
These posters will be delivered this week to all schools and should be mounted at student eye-level, in at least one high-traffic area, in both English and Spanish.
“We need the help of every school employee to protect children from abuse and neglect,” Houlihan said.
HISD in the News
- Crossing guard celebrates 40th anniversary at HISD school
- Security a top priority in designing new Houston-area campuses
- WITS receives grant to expand program honed at Bellaire HS
- Immigrants reshape Houston, America’s most diverse metropolis
- Challenges don’t daunt new campus leader at Lee HS
- Teachers get creative to fund class supply purchases
National News Links
- More schools using software programs to detect plagiarism
- When it comes to childhood growth, the brain comes first
- Twelve tips for new teachers (and those starting anew in 2014)
- Some U.S. schools embrace ‘standing desks’ trend
- Leading with grace and poise: Five principles for principals
- Can Kickstarter save arts education?
HISD employee Raoul Rodriguez had a lot to think about with the birth of his second daughter last April. So he wanted to make sure he made no mistakes when he applied for time off under the Family & Medical Leave Act of 1993 (FMLA).
“I called Human Resources (HR) and they responded right away,” said Rodriguez, who is a senior editor/producer in the district’s Multimedia Department. “They gave me the paperwork and I took it to the doctor taking care of my wife and they faxed it back in.”
Rodriguez, who has worked for the district for 10 years, said he was glad he reached out to HR and got all his paperwork squared away before the birth of Lillian on April 9. Through the FMLA, he took three weeks off to spend time with his wife and their daughters. That time with his infant was extraordinarily special to him and he’d recommend anyone with questions about FMLA get all the facts from HR.
“I was able to take care of my baby and bond with her,” he said.
HISD understands that employees may need to be absent from work for various reasons. The goal of the district’s HR team is to ensure all employees interested in taking leave under the Family & Medical Leave Act have a smooth experience with the application and verification process. The first step, however, is reaching out to Human Resources, which is the only department authorized to evaluate requests for leave.
Teachers and campus-based staff should always take their questions and requests to HR, not principals or secretaries. FMLA requires employers to provide up to 12 weeks of unpaid and job-protected leave to eligible employees for the following reasons:
- Birth and care of a child
- An employee’s serious health condition
- Care of a spouse, child, or parent with a serious health condition
- Qualifying exigency or military caregiver leave
For details about absences and leave, including Family & Medical Leave, please visit the Human Resources website or contact FML@houstonisd.org.
Are you one of the key employees eligible for the special safety training sessions outlined in the online memo published Aug. 25? If so, make plans now to sign up via eTRAIN.
Starting Sept. 16, the HISD Risk Management, Police, and Psychological Services departments will be hosting twice-monthly training sessions on the following safety topics, which were chosen especially by the Threat Assessment Committee:
- Fire Safety—including emergency evacuation plans, fire extinguisher training, and common fire code violations in schools
- Emergency Management 101—including lockdown, shelter-in-place, bomb threat, and suspicious package procedures
- Intruder-ology: Run, Hide, or Fight
- Crime Prevention and Mental Health Awareness
The consolidated, four-hour sessions will take place once per month through May 2015 at each location: the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center (4400 W. 18th St., 77092) and the McCarty Complex (228 McCarty, 77029).
The initial recommended target audience includes key central office and campus administrators, but will eventually include all employees. Course descriptions, scheduling dates, times and registration details are available through e-TRAIN (course code RM00040).
For more information, please refer to the link above, or contact Susan Ovren at 713-556-9226 or sovren@houstonisd.org.
Horn Academy Nurse Missy Bendiksen poses with “Mr. Bones,” whom she keeps in her office to educate children about their bodies. Behind him hangs a tongue-in-cheek sign that reads, “This is what is left of the last child who didn’t listen to the school nurse!”
As a school nurse in HISD, Melissa “Missy” Bendiksen has been bandaging scraped knees, soothing upset tummies, and helping children lead healthier lives for the past four decades. But the talented artist (.pdf) didn’t originally set out to pursue a career in healthcare.
“I didn’t see (art) as an occupation,” she explained. “In those days, you were either a nurse, a secretary, or a teacher, so I chose nurse. But I still love coming to work every day.”
Ironically, Bendiksen started out at The Rusk School in 1974, the same year her current principal, Sarah Harrington, was hired there as a student teacher.
“She just got her 40-year pin also,” said Bendiksen. “And when we compared notes, we remembered all the same people, but not each other. Rusk was then—and still is now—a pretty small school, so I guess we must have been busy in our own areas. I was in the clinic and she was in the classroom.”
Over the years, Bendiksen has also worked at Burbank, Gordon, Lockhart, MacArthur, and Northline elementary schools, but she has been at the Horn Academy for the longest, at 33 years and counting.
“When I came here, I was as old as the parents,” she observed, “and now, I’m as old as the grandparents.”
Among her most cherished memories is that of a student named Ingrid, who was afraid of a movie based on the children’s book, Miss Nelson Is Missing. “I have a picture of her sitting on my lap as a kid, watching that movie. She grew up and majored in music, but a few years ago, her father died of brain cancer, and I saw her at the funeral. We ended up taking another picture of her on my lap, so now I have them side-by-side: her as a child and her as a 30-year-old.”
Bendiksen officially marked her 40th anniversary with the district on Aug. 26, but a few other employees are also marking theirs this week (Aug. 24–31). See if you know anyone on this list:
40 years
- Synthia Coleman, librarian, Sugar Grove Academy
- Sanjuana Elizondo, principal, Scroggins ES
- Kathleen Goodell, teacher, Eliot ES
- Charlyn Kyles, teacher, Sharpstown HS
- Eleanor Morse, teacher, Poe ES
35 years
- Aurelia Ayala, clerk, Northline ES
- Tamara Cubit, trainer, Risk Management
- Aaron Karolinski, report analyst, Transportation Services
- Patricia Pough, teacher, Bonham ES
- Audrey Sanders-Smith, teacher, McGowen ES
30 years
- Marsha Achee, teacher, Carrillo ES
- Lawrence Allen, community relations liaison, Strategic Partnerships
- Rosalinda Escamilla, secretary, Milby HS
- Virginia Hernandez, crossing guard, J. R. Harris ES
- Martha Jiner, teaching assistant, Bell ES
- Ruby McKinney, teacher, Garden Villas ES
25 years
- Guadalupe Aguirre, teacher, Crockett ES
- Angelia Alexander, bus driver, Transportation Services
- Jeffrey Amerson, principal, Poe ES
- Judith Anderson, teacher, Crespo ES
- Esther Arnold, teacher, Shadowbriar ES
- Cynthia Banda, principal, Ketelsen ES
- Jacquetta Banks, teaching assistant, Atherton ES
- Angela Barnes, attendant team lead, Food Services
- Cheryle Boyd-Julien, teacher, Carrillo ES
- Brenda Braziel, teacher, Madison HS
- Ollie Butler, teacher, Edison MS
- Blanca Cardenas, custodian, Construction & Facility Services
- Lois Carter, bus driver, Transportation Services
- Annette Chambers, bus driver, Transportation Services
- Jean Cius, teacher, Energy Institute HS
- Melissa Corrigeux, teacher, Martinez ES
- Jennifer Crow, teacher, Browning ES
- Clayton Crook, principal, Cullen MS
- Deborah Crowe, school support officer, Middle Schools Office
- Jerri Deleon, principal, Johnston MS
- Craig Edgley, assistant principal, Holland MS
- Ann Felton, teacher, Briargrove ES
- Diane Franz, teacher, DeBakey HSHP
- Michael Freeman, program specialist, Special Education
- Maria Garcia, plant operator, Construction & Facility Services
- Bruce Green, bond program senior manager, Construction & Facility Services
- Jacqueline Green, principal, Ketelsen ES
- Elena Greer, teacher, De Zavala ES
- Freddia Grooms, teacher, Bastian ES
- Mary Hall, librarian, Petersen ES
- Sharon Hamilton, bus driver, Transportation Services
- Patti Hernandez, teacher, Hamilton MS
- Dennis Huffman, teacher, Lanier MS
- Barbara Johnson, student information representative, Black MS
- Donnis Johnson, speech therapist, Child Study
- Shawndra Johnson, dropout prevention case worker, Wheatley HS
- Dawn Kale, teacher, Piney Point ES
- Dawn Kotecki, teacher, Chávez HS
- Joan Lawrence, nurse, Lanier MS
- Diana Leeson, school business manager, Bellaire HS
- Carla Lewis, bus driver, Transportation Services
- Dorothy Loy, teacher, Garden Villas ES
- Tracy Lyman, teacher, Lantrip ES
- Marilyn Manjang, instructional specialist, Pilgrim Academy
- Ronnie Martinez, plant operator, Construction & Facility Services
- Vanessa Melançon, plant operator, Construction & Facility Services
- Cindy Menn, teacher, Emerson ES
- Michael Mitchell, dean of students, Sharpstown HS
- Linda Mortimer, teacher, Kennedy ES
- Carol Mosteit, principal, HSLECJ
- Niels Nielsen, teacher, Lanier MS
- Barbara O’Connor, teacher, Pershing MS
- Taoridi Olabode, associate teacher
- Debrah Patterson, bus driver, Transportation Services
- Maria Pellegrini, teacher, Scarborough ES
- Miriam Picardi-Vaughan, teacher, Cunningham ES
- Carol Roberson, bus driver, Transportation Services
- Sharron Raibon, counselor, Lamar HS
- Jo Redd, reading teacher, Reagan HS
- Juan Regalado, teacher, Berry ES
- Alice Reuter, dean of students, Sharpstown Intl. School
- Theresa Rose, principal, Bush ES
- Samantha Rosenthal, program specialist, IT Education Solutions
- Kathleen Sanders, evaluation specialist, Vision Programs
- Anne Sasko, teacher, Kolter ES
- Joan Scheumann, teacher, Vision Programs
- Jennifer Sias, teacher, Robinson ES
- Jo Sweeny, teacher, Red ES
- Chere Sutton, associate teacher
- Fry Tamara, teacher, Shadowbriar ES
- Ida Thomas, teacher, Pilgrim Academy
- Willie Tillmon, clerk, Transportation Services
- Katherine To, teacher, White ES
- Scherie Townes, teacher, Askew ES
- Patricia Valdez, teacher, Scroggins ES
- Barbara Valentine, teacher, Hamilton MS
- Lisa Van Stone-Giering, licensed specialist in school psychology, Child Study
- Sandra Washington, attendant, Food Services
- Barbara Welch, teacher, Piney Point ES
- Judy White, bus driver, Transportation Services
- Rosalind White, teacher, Washington HS
- Bridget Williams, teacher, Tijerina ES
- Gwylen Wright-Haywood, teacher, Northline ES
20 years
- Kathy Clabron, bus driver, Transportation Services
- Martha Flores, plant operator, Construction & Facility Services
- Freida Frand, teaching assistant, Pleasantville ES
- Sonya Justice, attendant, Food Services
- Tina Lewis, attendant, Food Services
- Blanca Lira, student information representative, Martinez ES
- Freida Possu, teacher, Northline ES
- Faith Simmons, teacher, Bastian ES
- Jonilee Taylor, associate teacher
- Rigoberto Vaquiz, plant operator, Construction & Facility Services
- Brenda Woodwards, crossing guard, Foster ES
15 years
- Annette Barnes, bus driver, Transportation Services
- Likeythia Blackmon, teacher, T. H. Rogers
- Jimmy Cavitt, security guard, Milby HS
- Candace Garvin, Title I coordinator, School at St. George Place
- Veronica Guzman, attendant, Food Services
- Lorena Kelly, teaching assistant, R. P. Harris ES
- Anissa Molina, teaching assistant, Stevens ES
- Sandra Orduña, teaching assistant, Anderson ES
10 years
- Delfina Arteaga, attendant, Food Services
- Maria “Alex” Avalos, associate demographer, Office of Student Support
- Galen Brownley, teacher, Camp Olympia
- Donna Campbell, teacher, Sinclair ES
- Brendella Chavis, clerk, Wesley ES
- Yi-Chun Chen, Special Education chair, Carnegie Vanguard HS
- Jerry Cornish, carpenter, Construction & Facility Services
- Charlotte Darthard, teacher, Fondren ES
- Carol Graves, associate teacher
- LaShonda Herbert, teacher, Garcia ES
- Fanny Jimenez, attendant, Food Services
- Jane McKinney, teacher, Marshall MS
- Francisco Molina Cruz, custodian, Construction & Facility Services
- Carolina Moore, teacher, De Chaumes ES
- Martha Quintanilla, attendant, Food Services
- Jeffrey Perrigo, wrangler, Camp Olympia
- Linda Platt, teacher, Red ES
- Zaira Ramos, literacy coach, Cornelius ES
- Norma Rodriguez, attendant, Food Services
- Leticia Roman-Veloz, attendant, Food Services
- Jose Sada, teacher, Hamilton MS
- Ella Sampson, attendant, Food Services
- Hjordis Scranton, teaching assistant, Long Academy
- Rosaura Torres, attendant, Food Services
- Paul Varghese, teacher, Washington HS
- Leticia Vasquez, attendant, Food Services
- Enrika Williams, teacher, Milby HS
5 years
- Latifa Agboola, teaching assistant, Henry MS
- Martha Aguilar, crossing guard, McNamara ES
- Jerry Baldwin, crossing guard, Petersen ES
- Kimberly Bankston, teacher, Vision Programs
- Eitan Basile, teaching assistant, Jones Futures Academy
- Rosemary Batson, associate teacher
- Annette Beck, teacher, Rusk ES
- Juanita Bennett, teacher, Hilliard ES
- Susan Bigelow, teacher, Pershing MS
- Vanessa Bowie, custodian, Construction & Facility Services
- Gladys Cabrera, custodian, Construction & Facility Services
- Robert Chaney, crossing guard, Benavidez ES
- Gerardo Chapa, teacher, Browning ES
- Margaret Charles, crossing guard
- Joy Charles-Erickson, teacher, Bonner ES
- Diana Cifuentes, teacher, Hines-Caldwell ES
- Curtis Criswell, crossing guard, Ross ES
- Michelle Cummings, Special Education chair, Revere MS
- Harold Edaburn, associate teacher
- Kirsten Esslinger, teacher, Carrillo ES
- Donjuan Floyd, teacher, Sam Houston MSTC
- Barbara Fontaina, crossing guard, Eliot ES
- Ross Ford, crossing guard, Wainwright ES
- Marilyn Frank, crossing guard, Golfcrest ES
- David Freeney, teacher, McReynolds MS
- Ana Garcia, teaching assistant, Rodriguez ES
- Patsy Gonzalez, crossing guard, Jefferson ES
- Damian Greer, teacher, Cook ES
- Della Hall, aide, Fondren ES
- Jamie Handy, teacher, Sam Houston MSTC
- Malissia Harrison, bus driver, Transportation Services
- Diana Heath, teacher, Rucker ES
- Felicia Henderson, bus driver, Transportation Services
- George Hixson, teacher, Travis ES
- George Hunt, officer, Police Department
- Kevin Hunt, officer, Madison HS
- Leticia Jaimes, teacher, Tijerina ES
- Francies James, attendant, Transportation Services
- Carol Kazakewich, teacher, Whittier ES
- Ivette Kestenbaum, teacher, Roosevelt ES
- Jennifer Kuhleman, teacher, Westbury HS
- Tommy Law, crossing guard, Anderson ES
- Monique Lewis, teacher, Foerster ES
- Tina Licata, general manager, Business Assistance
- Kathryn McCracken, teacher, Sinclair ES
- Gary McKee, teacher, Jackson MS
- Susan McKinney, associate teacher
- Nolan Mills, custodian, Construction & Facility Services
- Mia Mundy, associate teacher
- Willie Murdock, bus driver, Transportation Services
- Stephen Niejadlik, associate teacher
- Alice Nyamu, teacher, McNamara ES
- Meredith O’Rourke, teacher, Lovett ES
- Shirley Parker, associate teacher
- Louella Parnell, associate teacher
- Jerry Pearson, crossing guard, Benavidez ES
- Reyna Pesina, associate teacher
- Billy Polk, associate teacher
- Byrd Powell, teacher, White ES
- Landrum Price, officer, Police Department
- Gloria Pullam, crossing guard, Young ES
- Amy Reyes, student information representative, Dávila ES
- Fabiola Rovirosa, associate teacher
- Gerren Rush, teacher, Mark Twain ES
- Maria Sanchez, custodian, Construction & Facility Services
- Gopal Sanchiher, bus driver, Transportation Services
- Joshua Silberman, teacher, Challenge HS
- Marcia Simmons, crossing guard, Reynolds ES
- Christine Siverand, teacher, Rodriguez ES
- Billy Smith, tutor, Milby HS
- Reuel Sosa, teacher, Atherton ES
- Maria Soto, custodian, Construction & Facility Services
- Shanta Strawder, officer, Dowling MS
- Andrea Taylor, teacher, Garden Villas ES
- Marcus Thalmann, teacher, West Briar MS
- Jarrod Thornhill, teacher, BCOM@Ryan
- Esperanza Torres, clerk, Special Education
- Kimberly Urban, accounting manager, Construction & Facility Services
- Prentice Robinson, crossing guard, Cage ES
- Patricia Smith, crossing guard, Bastian ES
- Jason Whittie, associate teacher
- Justin Williams, officer, Police Department
| Check back next Friday for more Milestones. Leave a comment below if you’d like to congratulate any of the above employees. |
If your Sept. 10 paycheck is a bit smaller than you are expecting, it might be due to a recent rate increase for contributions to the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS).
HISD is required by law to deduct these contributions from eligible employees’ salaries each month, and the before-tax contribution rate will be increasing from 6.4 percent to 6.7 percent as of Sept. 1, 2014. Additional increases will go into effect on Sept. 1, 2015 (7.2 percent) and Sept. 1, 2016 (7.7 percent).
After Sept. 1, 2017, employee contribution rates could conceivably go down. If the state’s contribution rate drops below 6.8 percent, the member contribution rate will be reduced from 7.7 percent by an equivalent percentage.
All TRS members must contribute a portion of their eligible compensation for the funding of benefits. The contribution rate is set by the Texas Legislature, and membership in TRS is required by law for all eligible employees; participation in the retirement plan cannot be waived.
Additional details can be found here (.pdf; p. 6, “Member Contribution Account”) and here (.pdf)
The Technology Service Desk is now at your fingers. The new self-service tool lets you create, update, close and even check the status of your issues and requests with the IT department.
Through the IT Service Portal you can enter your own requests directly into the ticketing queue, check on any outstanding requests you might have, update them, and even close them if you manage to resolve the issue yourself after contacting the Service Desk.
The home page contains useful links to help guides and other sites, as well as notices of any upcoming maintenance work on the systems. You can also see any current “global” issues that may be affecting the larger systems, and subscribe to them so that you are notified when they are resolved.
The Service Desk will still be available by phone and email, from 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
View all of Information Technology’s services through the Service Catalog site.
Karen E. Jackson
As a fresh college graduate in 1979, Karen Jackson didn’t set out to work in a public school system, but her first job as a speech therapist landed her at HISD’s (now closed) Alamo Elementary School. In the intervening years, she has served in that same capacity at Oak Forest and Mac Arthur elementary schools, as well as in the role of assistant principal at Gregg Elementary and Cornelius Elementary.
Jackson has now been the principal of Cornelius for 15 years, and she attributes her longevity at HISD both to a positive attitude and a long line of excellent mentors.
“I didn’t plan it. I just happened,” she said. “But it couldn’t have worked out better. I guess along the way there were people who saw things in me that I didn’t, because here I am, years later. I think one of the reasons I’ve lasted so long is because I have the mindset that I create my own environment, instead of becoming a part of something negative. There is real joy in this work for me.”
Jackson describes Cornelius as “one of the happiest schools you’ll ever walk into,” noting that “we take pride in that,” and “you can really tell we love our work.”
The best part of being an educator, she added, is connecting with the kids. “I think it’s something really special,” she said. “They can always come up with something that completely changes your emotional weather. You can be having the worst day, but then one student says something hilarious, and it just changes your whole mood.”
Jackson is officially marking her 35th anniversary with the district on Aug. 22, but a few other employees are also marking theirs this week (Aug. 17–23). See if you know anyone on this list:
35 years
- Deborah Anderson, teacher, Ashford ES
- Diane Berger, teacher, Bell ES
- Elba Carrion, principal, Martinez ES
- Doris Chachere, teacher, J. R. Harris ES
- Susan Childs, counselor, Bellaire HS
- Phillip Emmite, senior psychologist, Psychological Services
- Janice Evans, teacher, Sutton ES
- Antonia Falcon, nurse consultant, Community Services
- Janet Fisch, teacher, Rodriguez ES
- Cathy French, teacher, Walnut Bend ES
- Diana Gibson-Johnson, school support officer, Elementary Schools Office
- Michael Giles, teacher, Reagan HS
- Ethel High, student information representative, McGowen ES
- Catherine Hipps, teacher, T. H. Rogers MS
- Betty Hunt, program specialist team lead, Child Study
- Markelas Jackson, teacher, Milby HS
- Valerie Jackson, teacher, Cook ES
- Bertha Johnson, program specialist, Special Education
- Gelesta Kamau, teacher, Bell ES
- Bridgette King, teacher specialist, Sharpstown HS
- Cheryl Lidsky, teacher, Kolter ES
- Sandra Lord, teacher, Rucker ES
- Gaile Lovett, custodian, Construction & Facility Services
- Anna Marie Marek, instructional coordinator, Lyons ES
- Margaret Morris-Licea, teacher, Roosevelt ES
- JoyettaNickerson, teacher, Herrera ES
- Mary Patnod, teacher, Thomas MS
- Karen Pikett, teacher, Parker ES
- Gwendolyn Richmond, teacher, Sam Houston MSTC
- Luz Rodriguez, clerk, Harvard ES
- Sarah Samuel, associate teachers
- Kathy Shearer, teacher, T. H. Rogers MS
- Bertha Simon-Hobbs, teacher, Scarborough HS
- Lee Smith, teaching assistant, Blackshear ES
- Ricardo Sutherland, teacher, Bell ES
- Cathy Tavangarian, teacher, Westbury HS
- Cheryl Willis, teacher, Holland MS
30 years
- Misa Batcheller, teacher, J. P. Henderson ES
- Vicki Creeks-Lacy, teacher, Hines-Caldwell ES
- Rosalio Esqueda, officer, Police Department
- Cynthia Ford, instructional specialist, Reagan HS
- Ethel Greene, teacher, Durham ES
- Diana Hughes, teacher, Jackson MS
- Gwendolyn Hunter, principal, Pleasantville ES
- Blanca Kwartler, teacher, Askew ES
- Charlett Mounts, teacher, Emerson ES
- Andre Pleasant, teacher, Lewis ES
- Rosita Sam, attendant, Food Services
- Deborah Standfield, teacher, Field ES
- Mary Stowe, teacher, Long Academy
- Regina Ward, student information representative, Garden Villas ES
25 years
- Alice Honoré, senior manager, Construction & Facility Services
- Patricia Marshall, student information representative, Wesley ES
- Darlene McCloud, attendant, Food Services
- Patricia Melton, attendant team lead, Food Services
- Amie Moses, attendant, Food Services
- Janet Perry, attendant team lead, Food Services
- Erica Smith, teacher specialist, Martinez ES
20 years
- Melissa Alvarez, teacher, Hobby ES
- Amy Amos, teacher, Sinclair ES
- Olga Antonetti, teacher, Wilson Montessori
- Roberto Arechiga, tractor operator, Construction & Facility Services
- Scholastica Ariwodo, teacher, Gross ES
- Fraulyn Baisey, nurse, Hines-Caldwell ES
- Andres Balp, teacher, teacher, Lyons ES
- Kathleen Blakeslee, teacher specialist, Twain ES
- Franchelle Brooks, teacher, Hamilton MS
- Samanthy Brooks, attendant, Food Services
- Kayla Brown-Hogans, teacher, Lockhart ES
- Glenda Calloway, director of School Support Services, Futures Academy
- Gustavo Castro, plant operator, Construction & Facility Services
- Rosanade Childress, teacher, Whittier ES
- Michelle Collins, teacher, Robinson ES
- Maria Cosio, teacher, Northline ES
- Cynthia Cox, librarian, Revere MS
- Claudine Crego, teacher, Milby HS
- Armando Cruz, plant operator, Construction & Facility Services
- Magdalena Davy, teacher, J. P. Henderson ES
- Sylvia De Leon, counselor, Stevenson MS
- Donna Dickson-White, teacher, Hartman MS
- Carol Downey, secretary, Curriculum & Instruction
- Joan Elizondo, teacher, Carrillo ES
- Tally Fletcher, associate teacher
- Kelci Gabriel, teacher, White ES
- Catalina Garcia, teacher, Tijerina ES
- Maria Gayosso, clerk, Bellaire HS
- Nohemi Grajales, teacher, Wainwright ES
- Noblette Grant, associate writer, External Funding
- Janet Gray, teacher, Johnston MS
- Susan Griswold, teacher, Brookline ES
- Maria Guerra, teacher, Almeda ES
- Quanda Guillory, registrar, Yates HS
- Joann Hartwell, Title I coordinator, Jordan HS
- Sylvia Healy, teacher, Rodriguez ES
- Stephen Hill, teacher, Petersen ES
- Lourdes Houston, teacher, Coop ES
- Nathalie Hoyt, dean of students, West Briar MS
- Despina Ioannidis, teacher, Reagan HS
- Elisa Jackson, teacher, Grady MS
- Ronald Jacobs, teacher, Jordan HS
- Claran Johnson, assistant principal, Johnston MS
- Elnita Jones, custodian, Construction & Facility Services
- Fanisha Jordan, teacher, Parker ES
- Mark Kelley, teacher, Bellaire HS
- Aladrine Lakey, teacher, N Q Henderson ES
- Rosie Lampley, teacher, Frost ES
- Monica Leal, teacher, Piney Point ES
- Lori Lueptow, principal, Whittier ES
- Alejandro Martinez, custodian, Construction & Facility Services
- Antonia Martinez, clerk, Bonner ES
- Odessa Mattern, clerk, Waltrip HS
- Meredith May, teacher, Welch MS
- Ruth McCoy, evaluation specialist, Child Study
- Claire Middleton, nurse, Daily ES
- Rayfield Miller, teacher, Madison HS
- Sharlene Miller, teacher, Hartman MS
- Shirley Miller, teacher, Rice School
- Angie Miranda, school support officer, Elementary Schools Office
- Jaime Morales, teacher, Northline ES
- Anne Nelson, instructional coordinator, Sam Houston MSTC
- Botumile Ngoma, instructional specialist, Long Academy
- EnriqueNiño, custodian, Construction & Facility Services
- Delesa O’Dell-Thomas, principal, YMCPA
- Irma Orozco, teacher, Davila ES
- Roberto Padron, tractor operator, Construction & Facility Services
- Josefina Perez, clerk, Waltrip HS
- M. M. Perez, teacher, Grady MS
- Susana Perez, teacher, Robinson ES
- Lisa Pizarro, teacher, Deady MS
- Donald Pope, teacher, Burbank MS
- Albert Raymond, crossing guard, Lockhart ES
- Edward Rendon, officer, Police Department
- Stephanie Rengel, teacher, Herod ES
- Kimberly Rhodes, teacher, Lyons ES
- Maria Rios, teacher, Austin HS
- Guadalupe Rivera, clerk, Brookline ES
- Carter Robette, teacher, Atherton ES
- Francisco Rodriguez, teacher, HSPVA
- Gina Rodriguez, teacher, Southmayd ES
- Yolanda Rodriguez, principal, Roosevelt ES
- Helen Ross, associate teacher
- Mary Ryerson, evaluation specialist, Child Study
- Ernest Saldivar, teacher, Lamar HS
- Daniel Santiago, plant operator, Construction & Facility Services
- Elizabeth Santos, teacher, Grissom ES
- Leticia Santos-Carter, teacher, Mistral ECC
- Janet Schell, teacher, Garden Villas ES
- Sally Schroeder, clerk, Milby HS
- Lilu Schwartz, evaluation specialist, Child Study
- Kurt Shide, teacher, Pershing MS
- Theresa Shojai, teacher, Neff ES
- Maria Smith, senior plant operator, Construction & Facility Services
- Larri Spade, registrar, Milby HS
- Rachel Spring, teacher, Shearn ES
- Kelly Strange, teacher, Bush ES
- Drew Thurman,curriculum specialist team lead, Career and Technical Education
- Patricia Treviño, teacher, Rodriguez ES
- Quentin Wilson, officer, Police Department
- Phelecia Winfro, secretary, Forest Brook MS
- Deborah Vining, teacher, Early College HS
- Lisa Virgadamo, teacher, Briscoe ES
- Accelyn Williams, counselor, Milby HS
- Cedric Williams, teacher, Westbury HS
15 years
- Jones Bernadine, teacher, Lamar HS
- Tau Dang, teacher, Lamar HS
- Sharon Dennard, teacher, HSPVA
- Neysa Gonzalez, teacher, Petersen ES
- Lauren Goonan, manager, Psychological Services
- Nancy Gutierrez, accountant, Finance
- Liling McClain, teacher, Kolter ES
- Francisco Medellin, teacher, Looscan ES
- Martin Molina, teaching assistant, Braeburn ES
- Miguel Morales, teacher, Elrod ES
- Oscar Perez, bus driver, Transportation Services
- Jesse Pitre, associate teacher
- Pamela Richards, associate teacher
- Kevin Taylor-Jarrell, associate teacher
10 years
- Judit Alaniz, teacher, Coop ES
- Monica Cofield, teaching assistant, Montgomery ES
- KaVorna Conkrite, custodian, Construction & Facility Services
- Cristina Cruz, attendant team lead, Food Services
- Santana Diaz, associate teacher
- Joyce Foley, associate teacher
- Maria Gallegos, teacher, Bonner ES
- Anna Gastmyer, teaching assistant, Harper Alternative
- Monica Goffney, teacher, Washington HS
- Marilyn House, attendant, Food Services
- Antoinette Jimenez, teacher, Wharton ES
- Marline Kulang, teaching assistant, Bonham ES
- Joseph Lawanda, custodian, Construction & Facility Services
- Martha Lockett, nurse, North Forest HS
- Felicia Mask-Jackson, teacher, Windsor Village ES
- Joyce Jones, attendant, Food Services
- Joseph Mata, assistant principal, Lee HS
- Carlos Medellin, teacher, Kennedy ES
- Rolando Nuñez, security guard, Police Department
- Bernard Ostroff, associate teacher
- Juanita Ramos, teacher, Austin HS
- Ray Redmon, teaching assistant, Sterling HS
- Davetta Reed, teaching assistant, Yates HS
- Joyce Robertson, attendant team lead, Food Services
- Karen Rogers, teacher, Garden Villas ES
- Dinora Segovia, secretary, Highland Heights ES
- Steven Shetzer, principal, Kolter ES
- Melanie Smith, teacher, Cook ES
- Shirley Smith, attendant, Food Services
- Stacia Spillane, counselor, Rice School
- Cynthia Stang, teacher, Reagan HS
- Graves Starlie, associate teacher
- Toniette Tinker, instructional specialist, Pershing MS
- Blanca Ventura, clerk, Austin HS
- Paula Williams, attendant, Food Services
- Jose Zarazua, associate teacher
5 years
- Tanya Atkinson, attendant, Food Services
- Tellis Aubrey, teacher, Hartsfield ES
- Cristina Bagos, teacher, Reagan HS
- Islah Bankhead, attendant team lead, Food Services
- Kristin Bowie, teacher, Windsor Village ES
- Idelia Braxton, attendant, Food Services
- Tiffany Brooks, associate teacher
- Claudia Buitrago, teacher, Benbrook ES
- Erika Carcamo, attendant, Food Services
- Veronica Carrera, teacher, K. Smith ES
- Carla Carter, nurse, Codwell ES
- Cathy Chambers, attendant, Food Services
- Jhonny Chenier, warehouse, Food Services
- Alexis Coleman, teaching assistant, Williams MS
- Cora Collins, attendant team lead, Food Services
- Danielle Degrate, attendant team lead, Food Services
- Alejandra Delgado, attendant, Food Services
- Miguel Diaz, teacher, Lyons ES
- Maria Doria, parent engagement representative, Farias ECC
- Pamela Dotson, bus driver, Transportation Services
- Robin Duerr, teacher, Challenge HS
- Michelle Edwards, associate teacher
- Imman Ekwere, attendant team lead, Food Services
- Sandra Espinoza, aide, Port Houston ES
- Chiquita Fill, attendant, Food Services
- Dale Franklin, teaching assistant, Harper Alternative
- Diane Fraser, teacher, Sutton ES
- Mac Galley, crossing guard, Foerster ES
- Lucia Galvan, attendant, Food Services
- Araceli Garcia, attendant, Food Services
- Yvette Garcia, associate teacher
- Felicia Gonzales, attendant, Food Services
- Bertha Gordon, plant operator, Construction & Facility Services
- Tiffany Green, grants administrator, External Funding
- Evelyn Gudiel, teacher, Southmayd ES
- Randy Hampton, teacher, Chávez HS
- Lloyd Hart, project manager, Construction & Facility Services
- Chad High, teacher, Reagan HS
- Candice Johnson, teacher, Sharpstown Intl. School
- Roderick Johnson, teacher, Forest Brook MS
- Wayne Johnson, attendant team lead, Food Services
- Cassey Lewis, attendant team lead, Food Services
- Rafael Lewis, teacher, Cook ES
- Ana Lobo, attendant team lead, Food Services
- Debra Loewenstein, teacher, Wilson Montessori
- Jacqueline London, associate teacher
- Lauren Mailhiot, teacher, Neff ES
- Deborah Mathis, attendant, Food Services
- Aldo Molina, teacher, Deady MS
- Mae Moore, attendant, Food Services
- Stacey Norman, attendant team lead, Food Services
- Ma Ortiz, attendant team lead, Food Services
- Lois Parker, attendant, Food Services
- Rosalyn Parks, attendant team lead, Food Services
- Maricela Perez, teacher, J. P. Henderson ES
- Doris Potts, attendant, Food Services
- VictoriaPruitt, attendant, Transportation Services
- Elizabeth Rodriguez, attendant, Food Services
- Tamera Rodriguez, teacher, Milby HS
- Arneishia Rusk, attendant, Food Services
- Norma Sanni, associate teacher
- Leticia Sauceda, secretary, Attendance Boundaries Transfer
- Sammi Sicinski, teacher, Travis ES
- Winifred Sheridan, program specialist, Special Education
- David Slackman, teacher, Westbury HS
- Mallory Smith, attendant team lead, Food Services
- Sharon Sneed, attendant, Food Services
- Linda Stapenhorst, associate teacher
- Caravella Stephens, teacher, Isaacs ES
- Solondra Summerville, attendant team lead, Food Services
- Carol Tosh, speech therapist, Child Study
- Cynthia Turruviate, attendant, Food Services
- Connie Walthall, teacher, Hines-Caldwell ES
- Lelawrence Washington, teacher, Fonwood ES
- Deborah West, associate teacher
- Melvin Williams, attendant, Food Services
- Cloria Witherspoon, bus driver, Transportation Services
| Check back next Friday for more August Milestones. Leave a comment below if you’d like to congratulate any of the above employees. |
