HISD recognizes the need to instill in students the skills they will need to be successful after high school, in college, or the workplace, and to compete in today’s global economy. In this month’s edition of Up Close, HISD Board of Education President Rhonda Skillern-Jones discusses the skills and characteristics of the Global Graduate with HISD Secondary Curriculum and Development Officer Annie Wolfe, Davis High School Principal Julissa Alcantar-Martinez, Chief Elementary Curriculum and Development Officer Lance Menster, and Shadydale Elementary School Principal Tammie Daily.

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“HISD engaged industry leaders, educators, university professors, community leaders, parents, and students to determine what knowledge, skills, and dispositions are critically important to have in place when a child graduates from HISD,” explained Menster. “Interestingly, they all focused on the six characteristics that form HISD’s Global Graduate profile.”

HISD’s Global Graduate will be a leader who is able to work collaboratively and lead by example. The Global Graduate is also adaptable and productive, a skilled communicator, a critical thinker, and a responsible decision-maker. Student should also be ready to persevere in achieving academic and career goals.

In this edition of Up Close, Skillern-Jones also visits with HISD Director of Governmental Relations Ashlea Graves about the recent legislative session. Skillern-Jones wraps up the edition with a look at the summer externship opportunities for teachers with HISD Career and Technical Education Manager Dana Surdevant, DeBakey High School for Health Professionals teacher Shannon Niaves, and Lee High School teacher Stafford McCaskill. The teachers shared their experiences with industry professionals over the summer and how they plan to bring that first-hand knowledge back to students.

HISD Up Close and the HISD Board of Education meetings are broadcast on HCC TV and HoustonTV.