Are you planning on resigning or retiring from the classroom next year? If so, you could walk away with up to $5,000 just for letting the district know early.
On Dec. 12, 2013, the HISD Board of Education approved a program to offer a one-time incentive to full-time teachers and campus administrators in eligible positions who are willing to give the district early notification of their plans to leave the district at the end of the current school year.
HISD has had this program in place since the 2010-2011 school year, and while participation has been significant, the district continues to receive the majority of teacher resignations in May and June.
If you are a teacher who plans to leave HISD at the end of this school year, notify Human Resources of your intent to retire or resign no later than 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2013, and you could be eligible to receive a one-time payment of up to $5,000, depending on your years of service to the district.
There will also be a second opportunity to take receive an incentive for early notification. That window will last from March 10 through April 4, 2014, and all participants would receive $500, regardless of years of service.
Details will be distributed to eligible employees once they become available. Questions may be directed to HR Employees Services at 713-556-7383 or via e-mail to hranswerline@houstonisd.org.
In this week’s I am HISD, which features district students, graduates, employees, and other team members, Manager of Grant Development (and Madison HS alumna) Annetra Piper talks about how she went from the classroom to the central office, why she feels called to give back to the community, and what’s next for her professionally.
You’ve been with the district now for three decades. Have you always worked in Grant Development?
Annetra Piper
No. When I first came to the district in 1983, I was a history teacher at Dowling Middle School. But I’ve always been interested in doing extra things for kids, so I started off having a Saturday program called “Youth at Risk.” Even with that name, the kids joined anyway. My assistant superintendent at the time asked me how much we were being paid to run it, and when I told him we weren’t, he asked me why we were doing it. And I said, “Because it’s needed.”
A couple of years later, I became the 21st Century Community Learning Center coordinator at E. O. Smith Education Center, which involved reaching out to the community and working with kids. When that program ended, I moved to Long Middle School as their 21st Century coordinator.
So how did you end up in Grant Development?
When I was at Long, I met Ada Cooper, the former manager of the department, and she knew my work and how much I liked it, so she asked me to come over here. She left me as the acting manager in 2004, and the rest, as they say, is history.
That means you’ve been in your current position for about a decade now. How much money would you say you’ve brought in over that time to support district programs? And how much does your department bring in each year?
In conjunction with the people who own the programs (such as the Office of School Choice), I would say about $500 million over the past 10 years. I love it when people know what they want to do and how they want their programs to look. It makes the work so easy. Currently, we bring in about $80 million a year on average, but when I first started out, it was about $35 million a year.
What’s your favorite part of your job?
Winning! I have a real competitive streak, and I enjoy the creativity. We are allowed to be very creative as we write, and we have to listen to the people we’re working with and research creative ideas out there to see if they’re a good match for us, then tweak them to be the most beneficial to our kids.
Why is providing opportunities to young people so important to you?
I am a Madison graduate, and before that, I was a student at Dowling, where I first taught. I always knew I wanted to give back to the community, so I went straight back there when I became a teacher, because I knew there was a need. My motto is that I want to make the lives of parents, students, teachers, and administrators better every day. That’s what I’m here to do.
Any highlights from the last 30 years that you’d like to share?
I’ll never forget receiving my first paycheck when I was a teacher. We were hardly paid anything at the time, but to me, it was huge. One of my former teachers came by my room that day and patted me on my shoulder. She said, “It will get better.” And I thought to myself, “What do you mean? This is great! I’m getting paid to do something I love!” I was so excited.
Which grants have been the most meaningful to you?
The first one is the 21st Century Community Learning Center, mainly because I was a 21st Century CLC coordinator for several years and I “get it” when it comes to what is necessary for additional support for children. This grant exposes children to so many things that they might not have an opportunity to experience, especially children in poverty. As a district, we have won seven out of the eight cycles that have been awarded. Cycles three through eight have been written since I have been here.
My second favorite grant to win is the Smaller Learning Communities grant. The purpose of this grant was to personalize learning for kids by placing them in career academies that allowed them to be known well by a group of teachers and other adults who cared about them. We won several of them as well. This grant was very similar to the Linked Learning initiative that the district is rolling out soon. We are very excited about that in that it links academic college readiness skills to the careers that the children will eventually have.
What’s on the horizon for you?
Right now, I’m in the doctoral program at Texas A&M University, pursuing a degree in educational administration. I am very interested in the underachievement of African-American and other students of color. I want to see what research is out there to see what I can help solve. I am not ready to retire yet.
In recent weeks, a few serious cases involving our staff have brought scrutiny upon our district and our employees. We take these cases very seriously, as we are entrusted with the delicate business of educating and setting positive examples for children.
Those cases, however, are not representative of the many wonderful initiatives, programs, and people in HISD. We must keep a positive outlook and proud spirit toward our common goal.
At HISD, we are the hundreds of exemplary, veteran teachers, administrators, and staff members who return day after day, year after year, because they believe there’s no enterprise more important than the business of education. We are the eager army of new teachers which graces our classrooms each year, committed to one of the toughest jobs in our society.
We’re the thousands of support staff who have provided office services, food, transportation, security, and clean facilities for generations of Houston’s families, workforce, and leaders.
I hope you’ll stay strong for our critical mission, and remain uplifted by the work we do daily for the future of our children.
Michael Bordelon
Michael Bordelon has been a sixth-grade math teacher at Lanier Middle School since 1988, but even after 25 years, he says his favorite aspect of the job also happens to be the goal he aims for with every new group of kids.
“The best part is right now,” he said. “At this time of the year, I can throw whatever I want at them, and they’re not afraid of it. They won’t just sit there with their hands down or say they’ve never seen that type of problem before. There’s no more intimidation. They’ll just try it.”
After a quarter of a century, Bordelon has now reached the point where he’s starting to welcome the children of his former students into his classroom. “It’s funny when the parents come in,” he said. “We’ll be having a conference and one of them will complain about how much their son or daughter is talking in class, and I’ll say, ‘Yeah. They’re just like you were.’ And we’ll all laugh about it.”
Bordelon officially marked his 25th anniversary with the district on Dec. 12, but several other employees are also marking theirs this week (Dec. 8–14). See if you know anyone on this list:
35 years
- Joyce Hobbs, teacher, Vision Programs
25 years
- Mary Garza, plant operator, Construction & Facility Services
- Diana Martinez, secretary, Multilingual/Special Programs
- Eva Soto, custodian, Construction & Facility Services
20 years
- San Juanita Alanis, custodian, Construction & Facility Services
- Kenneth Clayborne, teaching assistant, Garden Oaks ES
- Nicole Newton, teacher, Dogan ES
- Melissa Robinson, clerk, Foerster ES
15 years
- Carrie Briley, associate teacher
- Arthur Charles, crossing guard, The Rice School
- Ana Goussen, attendant, Food Services
- Cynthia Nwosa, teacher, Bonham ES
- Michael Okeke, associate teacher
- Alicia Salisbury, teacher, Barrick ES
- Christina Shank, teacher, Harvard ES
- Kay Woods, teaching assistant, Lee HS
10 years
- Melodye Barnes, teacher, HSPVA
- Maricel Guerra, secretary, Athletics
- Lena Henton, teacher, Ashford ES
- Damion Hopkins, teacher, Bellaire HS
- Diana Martinez, teacher, Janowski ES
- Manuel Montemayor, maintenance repairer, Construction & Facility Services
- Leonard Preston, teacher, Reagan HS
- Jairo Restrepo, teaching assistant, C. Martinez ES
- Lydia Spaulding, teaching assistant, T. H. Rogers MS
5 years
- Deborah Brand, teacher, Isaacs ES
- Wanesa Burton, teaching assistant, Hogg MS
- Elisa Cardenas, associate teacher
- Derrick Estes, teacher, Cornelius ES
- Awilda Irizarry, associate teacher
- Tereasa Jabbour, teacher, Port Houston ES
- Tashiba McKnight-Holt, bus driver, Transportation Services
- Faye McNeil, principal, Montgomery ES
- Alicia Mendez, data entry clerk, JJAEP
- Alma Vela Montelongo, clerk, Food Services
- Estela Romero, clerk, Chávez HS
- Natasha Rutherford, teacher, Ortiz MS
- Samantha Sanders, bus driver, Transportation Services
- Shirley Shelvin, teaching assistant, Cunningham ES
- Jacqueline Snowden, senior secretary, Strategic Partnerships
- Patricia Sambula, teacher, Cunningham ES
- Willie White, custodian, Construction & Facility Services
- Cynthia Williams-Kelly, accountant, Finance
| Check back next Friday for more December Milestones. Leave a comment below if you’d like to congratulate any of the above employees. |
This is the season of goodwill, giving, and helping those who are less fortunate than us, especially children and their families in need. To assist the U.S. Marines Corps spread holiday cheer by providing toys to impoverished children, HISD employees and schools are invited to participate in the Toys for Tots program, the Marine Corps’ premier community action program.
New, unwrapped toys should be dropped off at the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center (4400 W. 18th Street, 77092) by Friday, Dec. 13, 2013. Please bring the toys to the Strategic Partnerships Department, Level 1, SE.
Marines, with the aid of local social welfare agencies and churches, will distribute the toys to children from economically challenged families on Christmas Day. The ultimate success of the Toys for Tots program depends on the support of Houston citizens. Last year, HISD received the Commander’s Award for Outstanding Toys for Tots participation. HISD employees are encouraged to participate and make this the most successful year.
When it comes to setting academic goals for kids, which type motivates students more: growth-based or achievement-based?
While HISD encourages its teachers to set growth-based goals for students, the answer really depends on each individual child. HISD’s Professional Support and Development department explores that question and more in the second installment of its planning video series.
The goal-setting process starts with an assessment of a given student’s starting point, an analysis of their previous academic growth data, and a consideration of developmentally appropriate growth ranges for someone that age, but empowering students in that process is critical.
“They’re going to be responsible for their own learning,” said Shearn Elementary School teacher Edgar Jimenez. “They can measure what is happening…and they can see that they are growing during the school year.”
To learn more about the planning video series, please see this related article from the Nov. 22 edition of eNews. To see all planning videos, visit the PSD website. A downloadable flyer (.pdf) containing step-by-step instructions on this topic is also available.
Students from River Oaks ES chat with Bayou Manor resident Joyce Hardy
Dottie Price is creating memorable lessons for both her third-grade students and residents of a local retirement community through a combination of music, writing, and listening exercises.
Price challenged her students, who attend River Oaks Elementary School, to interview residents of Bayou Manor to learn more about their lives and the challenges and triumphs they faced, then write lyrics about their experiences and set those stories to music.
The children returned to the facility on Nov. 26 to serenade their elders with the “songs of their lives.”
“Where else would you find such a multi-disciplinary approach to interviewing, writing and community connectedness?” asks parent Linda Brawley Wittig. “The International Baccalaureate program attempts to aid students’ understanding of their role in the world and encourage them to contribute their gifts and talents in meaningful ways in their own communities. The two-fold lessons learned by personally interviewing elders and creating musical works that reflect values and stories from their lives integrate the IB goals into an emotional event that lifts the spirits and honors the lives of people in our community who might not otherwise be recognized.”
| Had a breakthrough in your classroom? Tell us about it! Just send an email to info@houstonisd.org briefly describing your situation, and we could feature it here. |
HISD’s State of the Schools Luncheon will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2014, at the Hilton Americas Hotel (1600 Lamar Street), from 11:30 a.m. until 1 p.m.
For guaranteed seating, please complete the attached ticket request form (.pdf) and submit it no later than Friday, Jan. 10, 2013. Checks may be made payable to HISD.
Update your home address now to ensure timely W-2 delivery
HISD will be mailing 2013 W-2 forms to employees’ address of record during the last week of January. To ensure you receive your form promptly, please make sure that HISD has your correct home address. Click here to learn how to change your address or make changes to other contact information on the employee portal.
Museum district hosting educators’ open house Jan. 25
Five Houston-area museums will be conducting an Open House for Educators on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2014, and all interested HISD teachers and administrators are invited to attend. Attendees can learn more about educational resources, tools, and programs available, as well as training opportunities, field trips, and more.
Teachers who present proof of attendance for at least three presentations are eligible to receive Continuing Education credits. Details are available at the Houston Museum District’s website.
Fund for Teachers grant application deadline Jan. 30
Summer may still be months away, but teachers who are interested in broadening their horizons through professional or personal development opportunities should consider applying for a Fund for Teachers grant.
The Fund for Teachers was established in 1998 by Raymond Plank, chairman of the Apache Corporation. Each year, it awards grants of up to $5,000 to individual educators and $7,500 to teams of educators for summer training and enrichment activities.
The grants are as varied as the people who apply for them, and proposals range from “language immersion” projects to geological expeditions and the exploration of historic places or famous travel routes. They are intended to rejuvenate teachers’ passions for learning and teaching so that when they return to the classroom in the fall, they do so with newly gained knowledge and enthusiasm to share. Last year, a teacher from Lovett ES traveled to Iceland to study volcanoes, and in 2012, HISD grant-winners went to Spain, Italy, and Alaska.
Applicants can submit proposals either individually or as a team, but all applicants must have a minimum of three years teaching experience and be full-time teachers, spending at least 50 percent of their time in the classroom, at the time that grants are approved and made.
All applications must be postmarked no later than Thursday, Jan. 30, 2014. For more information, please visit the Fund for Teachers website.
Deady MS volunteers grade essays.
This week’s Shout Out goes to the more than 35 teachers from Deady Middle School who gave up some of their time off-the-clock to take part in a grading party last month.
“There was representation from every content area and grade level,” said Assistant Principal Vernitra Ussin. “We were able to complete the scoring of the English language arts writing essays in no time.”
Ussin also issued a special Shout Out to English language arts Teacher Development Specialist Heleo Espinoza, “for sticking around to the very end to ensure that teachers were clear and comfortable with scoring the essays. He also assisted with training our teachers on how to properly calibrate the scoring of the essays. Go, Team Deady!”
| Know someone who deserves a shout out? Send an email to info@houstonisd.org with the subject line “Shout Out for eNews!” and tell us why. |
Transportation Field Safety Investigator Curtis Harris (right) shows some of the moves that made him famous at a meeting with the superintendent on Nov. 19.
Superintendent of Schools Terry Grier recognized 24 district employees at the regular quarterly staff meeting held on Nov. 19. The following staff members were recognized with Team HISD hats:
- Julia Amponsah-Gilder, Student Assessment, for transforming the department after taking on the role of district test coordinator.
- Beth Goodrich, Special Education, for working to increase rigorous instruction opportunities for students with significant cognitive and physical disabilities.
- Curtis Harris, Transportation, for his role in creating an educational rap video promoting school bus safety that received both local and national coverage.
- Felix Lerma, Information Technology, for resolving problems associated with the EdPlan application.
- Alex Leal and his team, Information Technology, for pushing through the PeopleSoft upgrade and their efforts to make the transition as smooth as possible.
- Guy Mazzola, Procurement, for providing quick turnaround times for requests and sound advice, all while undergoing treatment for cancer
- Sandra Oubré, Policy Administration, for her commitment to excellence despite severe staff reductions that left her the sole member of the department at one point.
- Lynette Prater, Benefits, for her fierce dedication to maintaining a drug-free workplace and her compassion towards those seeking help for addictions
- Stuart Stradford, Procurement Services, for his expeditious handling of last-minute travel requests
- Frank Williams III, Information Technology, for his willingness to tackle any project and investment in the North Forest annexation
- Ruth Yonamine- Bobba, School Support, who served as the “Positioning Statement Czar” for the Office of School Support. Her leadership in this area has impacted hundreds of campuses.
To see a gallery of all the hat recipients, please visit HISD’s photo archive.
