Six HISD educators have been named “Teachers of the Game” by the Houston Rockets and Devon Energy Corporation, including Kimberly Boyce (left) and Anallely Almanza, both from Piney Point Elementary School.
Fifteen exemplary Houston-area teachers in all were recognized for going above and beyond the call of duty in the classroom and for inspiring their students to succeed in school and in life.
All received their awards on the basketball court during a Houston Rockets game. In addition, they each received a $100 gift certificate from Devon Energy for classroom supplies.
The other HISD winners this year were: Michelle Beer (Briarmeadow Charter), Chris Gray (Harvard ES), Diane Morrow (Davis HS), and Briana Sandoval (Lantrip ES).
Elizabeth Cisneros
Elizabeth Cisneros, an administrative aide at Twain Elementary School, has a long history at that Braeswood area campus.
She marked both her 25th anniversary with the district and her 25th year of service to Twain on April 25, and now, she is watching the third generation of her family pass through its halls.
“I came to Mark Twain as a student,” she said. “My children came to Twain and now my grandchildren are here. One is now a sixth-grader at Johnston Middle School, one is a fourth-grader here, and another will start kindergarten this fall.”
Before accepting her current position at Twain, Cisneros also served as a cashier in the cafeteria and a monitor in the behavior modification class. She cites one of the best aspects of her job as being able to work with the school secretary, Anna Rangel, who came to Twain the year after she did and who has since become one of her best friends.
Many other HISD employees are also marking milestones this week (April 21–27)—see if you know anyone on this list:
25 years
- Darryl Reese, tractor operator, Construction and Facility Services
20 years
- Carlos Delgado, custodial team lead, Construction and Facility Services
- Tammy Moore, attendant, Food Services
15 years
- Yasmeen Aleem, teaching assistant, Askew ES
- Hector Castilla, plant operator Chávez HS
- Carolyn Harrison, bus driver, Transportation Services
- Gloria Peñado, custodian, Garden Villas ES
- Arturo Riofrio, teacher, Hobby ES
- Araceli Saldaña, attendant, Food Services
- Regina Williams, attendant, Food Services
10 years
- Guaira Gomez, teaching assistant, Bush ES
- Juan Preciado, cement finisher, Construction and Facility Services
5 years
- Willie Buggs, bus driver, Transportation Services
- Joshua Calvin, foreman, Transportation Services
- Odis McMiller Jr., custodian, Kashmere HS
- Alicia Morgan-Jenkins, teaching assistant, Burrus ES
- Roosevelt Stevenson, bus driver, Transportation Services
| Check back next Friday for more Milestones. Leave a comment below if you’d like to congratulate any of the above employees. |
Kristi Taylor with some of her fourth-graders
This week’s Shout Out goes to Kristi Taylor, a fourth-grade math, science, and social studies teacher Elrod Elementary School, from Teacher Specialist Linda Ohia.
“Kristi is just one of our outstanding teachers here. She never misses a beat when it comes to preparing our boys and girls for the future. She expects the best from all of her students each and every day. ‘Whatever it takes’ is her motto. We are indeed fortunate to have her as a part of Team HISD.
| 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. |
The story from last week’s Friday eNews about free recycling bins has been updated to reflect that this opportunity is open to all district work locations, not just schools.
For details, please see the original posting here.
Deadline to apply to University of St. Thomas master’s program is May 15
Don’t forget: if you’re an aspiring school leader with at least two years of experience in the classroom, you might be a good candidate for the University of St. Thomas’ master’s degree program.
Don’t wait—the second cohort is now forming and the deadline to apply is Wednesday, May 15, 2013.
For complete details, please see this related posting.
Participate in TSU’s ‘Back to Basics’ Summer Institute
Texas Southern University will be hosting an intensive ten-day “Back to Basics” Summer Institute on its campus June 19–July 2, 2013, and the school is looking for both students and teachers to take part.
Teachers are invited to apply to the institute. If selected, they will need to identify five gifted students who might benefit substantially from the experience to bring with them.
To apply, please complete this form (.pdf) and follow the instructions for submission. The deadline to submit an application is May 21, 2013.
Questions may be directed to Dr. Bernnell Peltier-Glaze, coordinator of the TSU Back to Basics Summer Institute, at glazebm@tsu.edu or 713-313-7496. The event is made possible with funding from Chevron.
Early Bird Alert: Discount offer to Aug. 31 Texas Kickoff Classic
The Houston Texans, HISD’s longtime community partner, is offering district employees a savings of about 15 percent off of the regular price of tickets for a new fall tradition.
The inaugural Texas Kickoff Classic is coming to Reliant Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013, and district employees can get a family value pack of four tickets, four hot dogs, and four soft drinks for prices starting at $120.
Come launch the college football season by watching the Mississippi State Bulldogs take on Oklahoma State Cowboys for less.
To take advantage of this special offer, please contact Warren Caguioa at 832-667-2319 or warren.caguioa@houstontexans.com. A downloadable flyer (.pdf) is available for reference.
All processing charges, taxes, and fees will be waived.
If you’re enrolled in one of HISD’s Consumer health plan options, your district-provided HealthFund is a valuable resource for funding eligible medical expenses such as office visits, lab work, and prescriptions. To make the most of your healthcare dollars, here are some small ways to enjoy big savings:
- Generic Prescriptions—Take advantage of generic alternatives for a wide range of prescriptions at grocery stores and discount retailers. Just one example: get a 30-day supply of many common generic medications for just $4 at Wal-Mart, a savings over your prescription drug plan copay.
- HISD’s Health and Wellness Centers—Visit one for preventive care, flu shots, urgent care, and more. If you are enrolled in the district’s medical plan, the visit is free for you and your covered dependents.
- Aetna’s DocFind—Use this tool to quickly locate a provider that’s in your network. Remember that only in-network care is covered, except in the case of an emergency. One additional hint: if you’re enrolled in the Choice network, using a Tier 1 doctor or facility is another smart decision. These providers meet the highest quality and efficiency guidelines, which means better health outcomes and lower out-of-pocket costs when you use them.
- In-Network Emergency Care—Make sure you’re using an in-network urgent care facility when you need one. You already know that emergency rooms should only be used for true emergencies, but don’t be fooled by free-standing or hospital-affiliated emergency facilities that charge the same as their big-hospital counterparts. Using an urgent care facility for non-emergency care can be a smart decision; just take the time to make sure the facility you choose charges like one. Otherwise, you could be subject to a hefty ER copay. For a list of true urgent care clinics, click here (.pdf).
- Annual Checkups—Get yours so that any potential health issues can be identified earlier, when they’re easier to treat. Preventive care is 100% covered.
It’s that simple. Visit Benefits Outlook for more information.
Employees who sustain injuries while on duty at HISD will soon have to follow a new procedure to obtain medical treatment.
Effective May 20, 2013, any employee who sustains an on-the-job injury must select a treating doctor from among the 504 Provider Panel assembled by HISD through a contract with TRISTAR Managed Care for any treatments or health care related to that injury.
An acknowledgment form on the subject on the Workers’ Compensation 504 Provider Panel Employees was issued in the form of a district memorandum on April 13, and every employee should have received a copy of it requiring their signature, along with a pamphlet-size Employee Guide containing details for their reference.
To obtain a duplicate copy of this guide, please contact Maria Gonzalez at 713-556-9200 or MGONZALA@houstonisd.org.
Five new administrators have been added to Team HISD.
McReynolds Middle School, Henry Middle School, the Energy Institute High School and the Baylor College of Medicine Academy at Ryan have all been assigned new principals, and a former HISD administrator is returning to the district as a new School Support Officer.
Paul Zevallos
- Paul Zevallos (McReynolds MS)—Paul Zevallos comes with experience spanning three school levels. A native of Kansas City, Missouri, who was raised in Dallas, Texas, Zevallos began his educational career as a teacher at Maple Lawn Elementary in the Dallas Independent School District. After seven years in the classroom, he served as an elementary and middle school principal. Zevallos attended the University of Texas at Austin, where he received a Bachelor of Arts in Latin American Studies, History, and Spanish, and he earned his masters of educational administration from the University of North Texas.
- Sarah Stafford (Henry MS)—Beginning in June, Sarah Stafford will serve as the principal of Henry Middle School. She began her career in HISD as a 2007 Teach for America Corps member at that same campus and then moved into the role of math department chair and later, assistant principal. She also served as the school director for the 2012 Teach for America Summer Institute. Stafford received her bachelor of science degree in physics with a minor in mathematics and a bachelor of arts degree in Spanish from Azusa Pacific University in California. She most recently completed her masters of business administration degree through the Rice Education Entrepreneurship Program at Rice University. Her in-depth knowledge of curriculum and instruction, strong connections to the Henry community, and fluency in Spanish will help her lead the school to the next level.
Lori Lambropoulos
- Lori Lambropoulos (Energy Institute High School)—Lori Lambropoulos brings a wide range of experience to HISD. She has 13 years of secondary classroom experience, which includes ninth-grade English and integrated physics/chemistry. After receiving her principal certification in 2006, Lambropoulos served in a school leadership capacity at Westside High School. As a small school principal of the computing science and engineering house, Lambropoulos designed the Westside Engineering and Geosciences Academy (WEGA) through a partnership with the Independent Petroleum Association of America (IPAA). This experience produced a pathway of cutting-edge opportunities for high school students who were passionate about math and science. Most recently, Lambropoulos served as the dean of instruction. Last year, in honor of her diligence and hard work, she was awarded HISD’s High School Assistant Principal of the Year. Lambropoulos received her bachelor of fine arts degree from the University of Texas at Austin and her masters in educational leadership from Stephen F. Austin University.
Jyoti Malhan
- Jyoti Malhan (Baylor College of Medicine Academy at Ryan)—Jyoti Malhan brings in-depth knowledge of curriculum and instruction to the role of principal of the Baylor College of Medicine Academy at Ryan. Prior to her new role, she served as the dean of instruction at the Young Women’s College Preparatory Academy. Before that, she worked for two years as magnet coordinator at the nationally acclaimed engineering magnet program at the high school for engineering professions at Washington High School. In this role, she was able to increase enrollment by 87% in one year, revive past partnerships, and raise funds to support the program and successfully write and receive a grant for $86,000. Malhan also worked five years as an ELA Advanced Placement, Dual Credit and ESL teacher. She has multiple educator certifications and has a bachelor’s degree in science and a master’s degree in English and is currently finishing her doctorate in curriculum and instruction with a focus on urban education from Texas A&M University.
Susan Kaler
- Susan Kaler (Elementary School Support Officer)— Susan Kaler will be serving as non-traditional school support officer in the elementary schools office under the leadership of Sam Sarabia. Kaler brings with her a wealth of experience in systems thinking and organizational management. She began her career in HISD as a research specialist, where she developed, implemented, and reported on outcomes of district research projects and major initiatives. As the manager of Policy Administration, Susan was responsible for the oversight of all policy-related activities, including preparation of governance documents, and Board of Education action items. With a keen focus on systems analysis, Kaler assumed the role of director, where she managed all departments reporting to the chief of staff, as well as defining and championing change initiatives, organizational strategies, policy, and practices. Currently, Susan is responsible for guiding the work of compliance and operating functions as the chief operating officer at KIPP-Houston Charter Schools.
If you’ve been thinking about retiring before the end of this school year, don’t wait long to make an appointment with a retirement counselor.
The district’s Retirement Storefront will soon be moving from its current location, so remaining appointments can only be made through May 17, 2013.
The Storefront will not be able to schedule appointments after that until the move is complete.
Details on the new location, including the address any changes made to the phone or fax numbers, will be announced once plans are finalized.
To make an appointment, please call 713-293-9780. Space is extremely limited, so priority will be given to employees who wish to retire this spring.
May is Asthma Awareness Month, and parents are encouraged to learn more about this chronic disease, because if asthma is preventing their family from sleeping undisturbed, their child from playing soccer or practicing ballet, or their student from attending classes regularly, then the disease is not under control.
For resources and more information, please see this related article.
Here are some other dates you may want to mark on your calendar:
- April 1–30: Distracted Driving Awareness Month
- April 27 (.pdf): School Choice Fair
- April 28: March of Dimes March for Babies
- April 30: Reasonable suspicion training
- May 1–31: Asthma Awareness Month
- May 5: Lemonade Day
- May 6–12: School Nurse Appreciation Week
- May 6–10: Teacher Appreciation Week
- May 9:Board meeting
- May 15: Recipe for Success Garden Haiku contest deadline
- May 18: Young Inventors’ Showcase entry deadline
- May 27: Memorial Day
- June 1: Hurricane season begins
- June 6: Last day of school (students)
- June 7–11 (.pdf): Graduation ceremonies
Camille Quaite
Camille Quaite, an English teacher at Bellaire High School, has been named one of 13 recipients of the 2012 Outstanding Teaching of the Humanities Award by Humanities Texas.
Quaite, who also coaches the Academic Decathlon team, was formally recognized during a special ceremony held on April 15 at Bellaire High School.
“Camille Quaite is such a treasure,” said Principal Michael McDonough. “Whether in her classroom or supporting activities and competitions across the city and state, Camille meets each adventure with an open mind and a willingness to do what is needed. She is as sharp as a tack and has a way of motivating students to achieve even more than they thought possible. I am so pleased that she has received this honor, as the study of humanities is at the core of what she does each and every day.”
Quaite weaves art, music, literature, and historical and cultural trends into her interdisciplinary lessons and classroom activities. Her English students read and analyze a wide variety of literature, from the poetry of Emily Dickinson and Robert Frost to Pa Chin’s Family to William Faulkner’s Go Down, Moses.
“As an educator, I have adhered faithfully to the pedagogical concept that learning is enhanced by the incorporation of multiple disciplines,” said Quaite. “Students should not acquire bits of knowledge as separate, isolated entities; they must see the connections among all disciplines to become fully functional, well-prepared, contributing members of society.”
Humanities Texas presents these awards annually to Texas classroom teachers who have made exemplary contributions in teaching, curriculum development, and extracurricular programming. Nearly 350 teachers across the state were nominated for the 2012 awards.
Quaite will receive $5,000, with an additional $500 for Bellaire High School to purchase instructional materials.
Congratulations also go out to:
- PS1 (the Printing Services department), which took home four “Best of Category” awards and two Awards of Merit for graphic excellence from the Printing Industries of the Gulf Coast on April 17
| If you know someone who should be featured in Accolades, please email us at info@houstonisd.org and tell us why. |
