Yearly Archives: 2017

Tips on effective communication presented at Workshop Wednesday

Is communication an art or a science? That was the question posed to attendees at this month’s Workshop Wednesday, which focused on the importance of communicating effectively during sales pitches.

Professional Presentation Coach & Workforce Development Expert Ellis Hubbard spoke to an eclectic crowd of attendees during his Listen2WIN workshop about the importance of listening to and noting the body language of the subject of their sales pitch. Those two things can help a salesman identify the type of person with whom they are dealing.

“You have to get to know folks in order to sell,” said Hubbard, who reiterated that listening is the key to communication. “The more you know about someone, the easier it is to sell to them.”

Continue reading →

Diana Fernandez-Chavez named new principal of Grissom Elementary

Diana Fernandez-Chavez has been appointed principal of Grissom Elementary School. Fernandez-Chavez has been an educator for 15 years, serving in various roles from teacher to assistant principal. She began her career as a first-grade teacher at Faulk Early Childhood School in Aransas Pass ISD. Fernandez-Chavez comes to HISD from Corpus Christi ISD, where she served as a pre-K teacher, instructional technology specialist, coach for Advanced Academics and AVID, and assistant principal. She holds a bachelor’s and a master’s degrees from Texas A&M University Corpus Christi.

Apply now for HISD teacher job fair on July 26 

The HISD Human Resources team is hosting a teacher selection event on Wednesday, July 26, for prospective teachers interested in joining Team HISD.

In order to attend the invitation-only event, candidates must be pool-approved. Begin the application process by clicking here. Applicants who meet certification standards will receive an invitation with location and other event details. Applicants must then register for the event.

Applicants should fall into one of the following categories: Continue reading →

HISD students see gains in state math, science, writing test scores

Seventy-six percent of Houston Independent School District fifth-graders passed the 2017 State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness math test — a six-point boost over the previous year and a slightly higher gain than the state average.

Third-graders also saw a four-point bump on the state math test, bringing their average up to 71 percent, which is a four-point boost over last year and also a higher gain than the state.

The math passing rate for all students together in grades three through eight jumped by three percentage points, with almost every grade level seeing a boost. Only sixth grade remained flat. Continue reading →

New principals find support, guidance at New Leaders’ Institute

A school principal’s job is never done. It’s like being the CEO of a corporation—they are ultimately responsible for everything, from envisioning the school’s strategic direction to making sure there are paper towels in the bathrooms.

New HISD principals are spending the next two weeks immersed in learning what their leadership roles entail at the New Leaders’ Institute being held at Texas Southern University. Nineteen administrators showed up bright and early Monday morning to get to know one another, their mentors, and members of the HISD Leadership Development team.

Chief Academic Officer Grenita Lathan welcomed them with words of advice based on her experience as a principal. “All of you have very challenging jobs, and the first thing you need to do is to build relationships with members of your staff,” she said. “Everyone in this room is here to support you and make sure you have a successful year.” Continue reading →

Eric Tingle named new principal of Sugar Grove Academy

Eric Tingle has been selected as the new principal of Sugar Grove Academy. Tingle, formerly principal at Foster Elementary School, has been an educator for 11 years and has served in various roles – from teacher to principal. He began his career in Alief ISD as a fourth-grade teacher and math interventionist at Horn Elementary School. He also served as the assistant principal of Law Elementary School prior to becoming the principal of Foster Elementary School in 2013. Tingle earned his bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from the University of Oklahoma. He earned his master’s degree in Educational Management and doctoral degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Houston-Clear Lake.

Victor Garcia named new principal of Port Houston Elementary

Victor Garcia has been selected as the new principal at Port Houston Elementary School. Garcia is a proud product of HISD, having attended Wesley Elementary School, The Rice School, and Sam Houston MSTC. Garcia attended the University of Houston-Downtown for his undergraduate degree in Urban Education. After receiving his bachelor’s degree, he was hired as a full-time teacher at Ketelsen Elementary School, teaching fifth grade for two years and fourth grade for six years. He was also chosen for HISD’s University of St. Thomas Educational Leadership Cohort, and in 2016 he earned his master’s degree in Educational Leadership. His leadership experiences also include the position of instructional specialist and assistant principal at Benavidez Elementary.

Franklin Cahuasqui named new principal of Bonner Elementary

Franklin Cahuasqui has been selected as the new principal of Bonner Elementary School. Cahuasqui has been an educator for 11 years and has served HISD as a fifth-grade bilingual teacher, assistant principal, and principal. He began his career at Seguin Elementary School before joining Hartman Middle School as a dean of students. Since 2014, he has served as the principal at Briscoe Elementary School. Cahuasqui earned his bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Houston, master’s degree in educational leadership from Sam Houston State University, and is currently completing his doctoral studies at Texas A&M University.

Mayra Ramon named new principal of Crespo Elementary

Mayra Ramon has been selected as the new principal at Crespo Elementary School. Ramon previously was the principal at Sanchez Elementary School, where she dedicated the last eight years in a leadership role as assistant principal since 2009 and as principal in 2013, She has been a member of the HISD team since 2000. Under her leadership, Sanchez Elementary School has been named a two-time bronze and silver national award winner from the National Center of Urban School Transformation, earned a Houston Top Gold Ribbon from the Children at Risk Organization, and has consistently received Distinctions from the Texas Education Agency. Ramon graduated cum laude from the University of Texas–Pan American with a Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies with a minor in Bilingual/Bicultural studies, earned a Master of Education in Administration and Supervision from the University of Phoenix, and has completed courses toward a master’s in Counseling from Sam Houston State University.

Richard Smith named new principal of Edison Middle School

Richard Smith has been named principal at Edison Middle School. Smith formerly was the principal at Deady Middle School, where he dedicated the last four years in a leadership role as assistant principal and then principal. Under his leadership, Deady Middle School has moved from an Improvement Required campus to a campus that has Met Standard and received multiple distinctions from the state. Smith graduated from Brigham Young University-Idaho with a bachelor’s degree in Math and Spanish Education and then went on to earn a master’s degree in Educational Leadership and Supervision at the University of Houston. Smith is a proud HISD graduate of Sharpstown High School.

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