ALL TEACHERS
- Register now for classroom management training: The Department of Social and Emotional Learning will host classroom management training for instructional staff and administrators. CHAMPS is tailored to K-8 teachers and administrators, while Discipline in Secondary Classrooms (DSC) is tailored to grades 9-12 teachers and administrators. School staff will explore comprehensive and practical strategies to improve their current classroom management plan. These trainings are designed to help teachers manage student behavior more positively with the end result of engaging students in the learning process. Both are two-day training sessions, and both are scheduled for 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. CHAMPS training will take place Feb. 13-14 at the East Field Office or March 21-22 at the Ryan Professional Development Center. Use OneSource Course Number 136001 to register. The DSC session is set for March 21-22 at Ryan. Use OneSource Course Number 136001 to register.
- Webinars help teachers maximize use of Goalbook Toolkit: Sign up today for trainings that will help you apply instructional best practices with Goalbook Toolkit. This month, we have two of our often-requested webinars on incorporating Social and Emotional Learning and the principles of Universal Design for Learning. At 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 18, the webinar will cover Designing Instruction with a Focus on Behavior and Social & Emotional Learning. The next webinar, From Knowing to Doing, Four Ways to Incorporate the Principles of Universal Design for Learning in Your Classroom, is set for 4 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 25. Click on the webinar titles to register.
- Teach Like a Champion session to focus on Checking for Understanding: Enhance your instructional strategy toolbox and join our TLaC Teacher Leader Specialists on Tuesday, Jan. 17, one of five locations near you. The sessions, titled 2.0 Effective Checking For Understanding, supports gathering data constantly and being able to act on it immediately. Attendees will practice Reject Self-Reporting, Targeting Questioning, and Standardize the Format. The session is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. at all locations, which are outlined in OneSource. Register using Course Number 147001.
Furr High School football coach Matthew Valmore was recently nominated for the Don Shula NFL High School Coach of the Year Award by the NFL Foundation for his leadership, dedication to the community, and commitment to player health and safety and on-field success.
“I am humbled, honored, and very appreciative to be considered for such a prestigious award,” Valmore said. “It almost feels like a dream.”
Valmore is among 32 high school football coaches from across the country nominated by a NFL team for the national award, which is named for the winningest coach in NFL history. He was nominated by the Houston Texans after the team selected him as a High School Coach of the Week in November. read more…
Thank your Trustee on social media using #AllStarSchoolBoard
January is School Board Recognition Month, and the Houston Independent School District is joining other districts across the state to honor local leaders for their dedication and willingness to serve as advocates for public schools.
These dedicated public servants become school board trustees to serve as advocates for schoolchildren because they are committed to improving public education and their communities. They devote many hours to making sure the children receive a high-quality education that will make them lifelong learners and prepare them for success. They make sure America’s school districts provide students with schools that are safe and have the resources and instructional programs they need to educate children to their fullest potential.
“As a district, we are making a special effort this month to show appreciation to our board members, but it’s important to note that their dedication and commitment is evident throughout the year,” said HISD Superintendent Richard Carranza. “Our trustees generously give of themselves to ensure that the communities that make up this district have a voice in decisions that directly affect our schools.”
The nine members of HISD’s Board of Education serve staggered four-year terms—and, unlike their peers in other cities, they serve without pay. They are elected from separate geographic districts, but as board members they work closely with the superintendent of schools to improve teaching and learning throughout the entire city, not just in their individual trustee districts.
During the first 2017 Board of Education meeting on January 12, Anne Sung will be sworn in as trustee for District VII. Sung will fill the unexpired term of outgoing District VII Trustee Harvin Moore, which runs through 2017. The district also is reviewing resumes/letters of interest for candidates for Trustee District VI, formerly held by Greg Meyers. Meyers is stepping down, and the board plans to fill the vacancy on or before its January meeting.
For more information about HISD’s trustees, visit the Board of Education webpage or click on their names below:
2015-2016 HISD Board of Education
- Anna Eastman, Trustee, District I
- Rhonda Skillern-Jones, Trustee, District II
- Manuel Rodríguez Jr., Trustee, District III
- Jolanda Jones, Trustee, District IV
- Michael Lunceford, Trustee, District V
- Greg Meyers, Trustee, District VI
- Harvin Moore, Trustee, District VII
- Diana Dávila, Trustee, District VIII
- Wanda Adams, Trustee, District IX
ALL TEACHERS
- Changes to Early Notification Program: In previous years, HISD’s Early Notification Program offered a financial incentive to teachers and school-based administrators to submit early notification of their plans to voluntarily resign or retire at the end of their duty schedules. However, due to decreasing participation, a declining return on the investment, and uncertainty with school district funding, the Early Notification Program will not be offered for the 2016-2017 school year. Any employee that plans to voluntarily resign or retiring at the end of their duty schedule is encouraged to provide as much advanced notice as possible to their campus leader for planning purposes. If you have any questions please reach out to your school principal or call HISD Employee Services at 713-556-7400.
- Protect yourself, the district from malicious email attacks: HISD’s IT Department has many advanced filters that protect the district’s network and computers from most cyber-attacks. However, it cannot stop all fraudulent emails. One way to help HISD prevent future problems is looking for signs of potential hacking attempts. For example, if an email includes an address from another organization, many times this is the sign of a fraudulent message. Other ways to spot possible malicious emails include:
Check the domain name from the sender. Many fraudulent emails use an address that looks similar yet is not a valid website.
The email calls for “urgent action” in order to prevent an account from being suspended. Do not enter or reply with any personal information.
The email or sender wants you to click on a link or open an attachment. Hover the mouse cursor over any links embedded in the body of the email. If the link address seems suspicious, do not click on it.
Also, watch this video below to learn more about phishing scams and what you can do to protect yourself and the district.
- Teach Like a Champion session to focus on Checking for Understanding: Enhance your instructional strategy toolbox and join our TLaC Teacher Leader Specialist at one of five locations near you. This session, titled 2.0 Effective Checking For Understanding, supports gathering data constantly and being able to act on it immediately. Attendees will practice Reject Self-Reporting, Targeting Questioning, and Standardize the Format. The session is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. at all locations, which are outlined in OneSource. Register using Course Number 147001.
HISD’s IT Department has many advanced filters that protect the district’s network and computers from most cyber-attacks.
However, it cannot stop all fraudulent emails. One way to help HISD prevent future problems is looking for signs of potential hacking attempts. For example, if an email includes an address from another organization, many times this is the sign of a fraudulent message.
Team HISD mourning loss of CTE program specialist
Dedre Jefferson
On Dec. 15, the HISD family suffered a terrible loss with the passing of Dedre Jefferson. Ms. Jefferson served the children of HISD with genuine passion. As a senior CTE program specialist, she advocated for all children and helped put many of them on a path to success.
When she wasn’t on the job here at HISD, Ms. Jefferson was serving the Alief ISD community as a respected member of that school district’s Board of Education. Ms. Jefferson was also a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. read more…
LITM and Literacy By 3 trainings available to jump start 2017
- Jan 7. Literacy Summit for Elementary Teachers: Looking for a professional development opportunity to further support Literacy By 3 and the quality of your literacy instruction? Want to provide students with a real foundation for a literate life? This conference-style event on Jan. 7, 2017, will feature keynote speaker Doug Fisher, a noted literacy expert. Sessions will be facilitated by Teacher Development Specialists and classroom practitioners. This year’s summit will feature sessions designed around authentic children’s literature. Attendees will have the opportunity to network with colleagues, expand their learning, and visit the Barnes and Noble Pop-Up Shop. Register in OneSource using Course Number 149011.
- Spring Literacy in the Middle Offerings: Interested in help with Literacy in the Middle online modules? Want to listen to literacy advocate Kylene Beers speak? Tour a ‘model campus’ where great literacy instruction is taking place? The Literacy in the Middle team has you covered with a variety of professional development opportunities and events designed to help you grow and sharpen your literacy instruction tools. Register for Beers’ appearance at the Literacy Leader Speaker Series using OneSource Course Number 297002, and search OneSourceMe for additional Literacy in the Middle offerings. You can also email Mechiel Rozas at mrozas@houstonisd.org for additional information.
Requests by employees can now be submitted, modified or deleted up to 30 calendar days in OneSource
Effective immediately, leave requests submitted by HISD employees can now be modified or deleted in OneSource up to 30 calendar days from the date the employee requested the modification or deletion. This is a change to the two-day limit previously in place.
This is how the 30-day correction period works. As long as the leave date is not more than 30 calendar days prior to the day of the week an employee initiates the request, the employee can: read more…
Team HISD is mourning the loss of Johnnie Harris, a special education teaching assistant employed at Kashmere High School, who passed away Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2016. She was 69.
Harris had worked at HISD since 1991, and she spent the past 10 years at Kashmere High School.
“Ms. Harris was a treasured member of the Kashmere family,” said Principal Nancy Blackwell. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to Ms. Harris’ family. She will be deeply missed.”
Dear Team HISD,
I am excited to announce several new leadership appointments, all of which are effective immediately.
Mr. Brian Busby has been appointed as chief operating officer. Mr. Busby is currently the officer of HISD’s Facilities Services Department. He has worked for the district for 18 years and previously served as a general manager. His career with HISD began two years after graduating from high school when he started working at HISD as a custodian. He later worked in the district’s payroll and accounting offices before landing a position in the Facilities Services Department, which was then known as Construction & Facilities Services. A graduate of the University of Phoenix and the University of Houston, Mr. Busby received his bachelor’s degree in business management and a master’s degree in business administration. He has served as an active member of the Association of Business Professionals, Texas Association of School Business Officials, and the Cleaning Industry Association. He is also a member of the Executive MBA National Honor Society.
We are reorganizing the Schools Office by creating seven chief school officer positions, all of which report directly to Deputy Superintendent Dr. Samuel Sarabia. Our seven chief school officers are:
Dr. Jorge L. Arredondo is a proud graduate of HISD’s public schools. Dr. Arredondo has served as a teacher and assistant principal at Milby High School, as well as principal of McReynolds Middle School and Austin High School. Most recently Dr. Arredondo served as HISD’s Assistant Superintendent for Family and Community Engagement. Under his leadership, the department’s mission has been to advance student achievement for all students by promoting and empowering families through evidence-based programs. In 2016, he was honored by the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) Council 402, known as “The Education Council,” as “Educator of the Year.” Dr. Arredondo earned his bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate degrees from the University of Houston.
Ms. Julia Dimmitt received a bachelor of arts in English and a master of education degree in secondary education and public school administration from the University of St. Thomas. Her 25 years of service in HISD include teaching English and history at Ryan Middle School, Madison High School, and the Harris County Juvenile Detention Center. She has also served as principal at Ed White Elementary School and Lanier Middle School. For the past eight years, Ms. Dimmitt has been an executive principal for the Yates/Lamar secondary feeder pattern schools, school improvement officer in the Middle Schools Office, and school support officer in the North Area Office. In 2013, she oversaw the transition of the former North Forest School District into HISD, following the state-ordered closure and annexation. Currently, four of the seven former North Forest campuses have a met standard rating with distinctions.
Dr. Steven Gutierrez received his bachelors of arts degree in English at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Upon his graduation, he was accepted by Teach for America (TFA) to begin his teaching career in Houston at Patrick Henry Middle School as a 6th-8th grade ESL and language arts teacher. Dr. Gutierrez served as a dean of students at West Briar Middle School. He was then selected to serve as the principal at The Rusk School, a PK-8 science and technology magnet school. Dr. Gutierrez was promoted to school support officer and has served for the past five years in the Elementary Schools Office, most recently in the South Area Schools Office. He earned his master’s and doctorate degrees in education from the University of Houston.
Dr. Jocelyn Mouton has a master’s degree in early childhood education and a doctorate in curriculum and instruction from the University of Houston. She joined Team HISD as an elementary school teacher before becoming a curriculum writer, director, principal of the Rice School, and an executive principal. Mouton spent time working with Boston public schools, where she served as assistant deputy superintendent, working in professional development and school support services. At the Houston A+ Challenge, Dr. Mouton coordinated and supported educational programs in five area school districts, including HISD. She has served as both a chief school officer and a school support officer for HISD.
Dr. Matilda “Maty” Orozco is a proud graduate of Milby High School in HISD. Dr. Orozco has served as a bilingual teacher, assistant principal, building principal, assistant superintendent of special populations and school support officer in the HISD before moving to Beaumont Independent School District, where she currently serves as assistant superintendent of elementary administration. Dr. Orozco earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Houston, her master’s degree in educational leadership from the University of Houston, Clear Lake, and her doctorate in professional leadership from the University of Houston.
Dr. Erick Pruitt began his education career as a teacher at Woodlawn Community School in the Chicago Public Schools, and then served as a New Leaders resident principal, contract principal, and deputy chief of schools. Dr. Pruitt’s most recent responsibilities have allowed him to work in the East Area Schools Office to serve as school support officer supporting the schools in the Wheatley feeder pattern. Throughout Dr. Pruitt’s career, he has maintained a focus on cultivating school leadership, improving teacher practice, and establishing productive relationships to cultivate sustainable great schools that improve student success. Dr. Pruitt earned his bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Purdue University, a master’s degree from Loyola University Chicago, and doctoral degree from National Louis University.
Dr. Rolando “Rudy” Trevino is another proud graduate of HISD’s public schools. Dr. Trevino’s 15 years of service in HISD include teacher and assistant principal at Burbank Middle School, and principal of Herrera Elementary School, Sam Houston Ninth Grade Academy, and a National Blue Ribbon School, Eastwood Academy High School. Dr. Trevino served as an elementary school improvement officer, superintendent of schools in Lockhart ISD, and most recently, school support officer in the South Area Office. Dr. Trevino earned his bachelor’s degree from Sam Houston State University (SHSU), a master’s degree in educational leadership and counseling from SHSU, a second master’s in Spanish literature from the University of Houston, and a doctoral degree in educational leadership at SHSU.
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