Yearly Archives: 2017

Engineering firm awards $30,000 to improve Benavidez ES library

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Jacobs, an engineering firm, presented Benavidez Elementary School with a check for $30,000 to use to buy books and furniture for the school’s library. Jacobs has been partnering with Benavidez for nearly 25 years in a number of ways, including tutoring students and supporting teachers.

“Thank you so much for your generous donation to help improve our students’ reading,” said Principal Zabeth Parra-Malek. “If they can read, they can do math, science, social studies, technology, anything. Look around—can you imagine what this library will look like with all those books?”  Continue reading →

HISD announces new principal of Secondary DAEP School

GuinnThe Houston Independent School District appointed Tynette Guinn as the principal of the new Secondary Disciplinary Alternative Education Program (DAEP) School.

Guinn serves as principal of Lawson Middle School but is currently transitioning into her new role. She also served as principal of High School Ahead Academy and in numerous campus leadership positions within the district. Guinn earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration with a minor in computer information systems from Prairie View A&M and her master’s degree of educational management from University of Houston-Clear Lake.

“Words cannot explain how truly excited I am about the opportunity to help Houston ISD develop this in-house Secondary DAEP School,” said Principal Tynette Guinn. “I am looking forward to creating an environment that will support some of our most at-risk students in changing their behaviors through the district’s social and emotional learning platform.” Continue reading →

Finalists selected for 2016-2017 Teachers of the Year

The Houston Independent School District has announced the finalists for the district’s Elementary and Secondary Teachers of the Year, as well as the recipients of the Beginning Teacher of the Year honors for elementary, middle school, and high school.

Fourteen finalists were named for the Elementary and Secondary Teachers of the year. The two winners, who will go on to represent the district in Region 4, will be announced during the Educators of the Year banquet on Friday, May 19. The 14 finalists were selected from all 287 campuses based on performance data and other criteria.

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Celebrate the Week of the Young Child on April 24-28 

The week of April 24-28 is the Week of the Young Child, an annual celebration sponsored by the National Association for the Education of Young Children to put a public spotlight on the needs of young children and address those needs through early childhood programs and services.

Studies have shown children who receive high-quality early education learn fundamental literacy and mathematical skills that transfer to later grades, earn higher test scores, and are more likely to attend a four-year college.  Continue reading →

Lilly Rincon named new principal of Jefferson Elementary

Lilly Rincon (Houston Independent School District)Lilly Rincon has been selected as the new principal of Jefferson Elementary School. Rincon began her nearly two-decade career in education in the McAllen Independent School District in South Texas. After two years of teaching, she decided to return to her hometown and served as a classroom teacher at Burbank and Travis Elementary schools in HISD. During this time, Rincon was recognized as a Bilingual Teacher of the Year and selected as a candidate for the HISD Turnaround Leadership Cohort. She joined the Jefferson leadership team as a Teacher Specialist and assumed the role of Assistant Principal three years ago. Rincon received her bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences from the University of Houston Downtown and master’s degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Houston.

HISD names new chief communications officer

Houston ISD Superintendent Richard Carranza has named Rebecca Suárez as the district’s new chief communications officer.

Suárez, a 13-time Lone Star Emmy Award winner, is currently an anchor and reporter at Univision (KXLN 45) and has more than 15 years of experience in media and communications. She is also a former HISD staff member, having served as the district’s primary spokesperson for Spanish-language media, senior media relations specialist, and community affairs television host. She has also worked as an anchor and reporter for NBC Telemundo (KTMD 47).

“We are thrilled to welcome Ms. Suárez back to Team HISD,” Carranza said. “She is a familiar face who brings with her an extensive knowledge of the district and will offer new ways to engage with and inform our community.” Continue reading →

HISD supports House Bill 21 to increase funding for all schools and lower Recapture payments statewide

Bill would reduce HISD’s 2018-19 biennium recapture payment

The Houston Independent School District supports House Bill 21, which passed the Texas House of Representatives April 20 and would lower HISD’s Recapture obligation providing approximately $40 million in additional resources for the 2018-19 biennium.

Houston voters go to the polls on May 6 to decide how to pay this year’s Recapture obligation of $77.5 million. Proposition 1 asks voters whether they want to “purchase attendance credits.” A vote for means HISD will write a check to the state, while a vote against would result in the state’s detachment and reassignment of the district’s most valuable commercial property. Early voting begins April 24, 2017, and ends May 2, 2017. Continue reading →

Rooftop garden inspires learning and excitement at Atherton ES

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Students and staff at Atherton Elementary are excited about the newest addition to their campus – a rooftop garden. And they have big plans for it.

“We can learn how plants grow and change over time,” said fifth-grader Nathaniel Alvarenga.

“It’s helping our ecosystems,” added his classmate Isacc Solis. “Birds and bees come, and the bees pollinate the plants.”

Atherton received a new building as part of the 2007 bond program, but plans for the rooftop garden were put on hold as other items took priority. Trustee Rhonda Skillern-Jones supported the garden, which is receiving its finishing touches this month. The project also got a boost from IDG Architects’ Ben McMillan, who donated funds last October. Continue reading →

Yates HS seniors make their mark on school history at beam signing

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The Lion’s Den at Jack Yates High School roared with excitement as the graduating Class of 2017 scribbled their signatures on the final steel beam to be erected in the construction of their new school.

Once all seniors had signed, they joined with school staff to watch as the beam was hoisted into the air and placed in its new home — the auditorium. The beam will be installed and left exposed, showcasing the signatures from the class of 2017.

“The kids were concerned that they weren’t going to have any history with the new school since they’ll be graduating in May,” said Yates Principal Ken Davis, who worked with the construction staff to surprise the students with the informal ceremony. “We told them that we were going to sign the beam — a little bit of history about you will go into the new building.”

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Apply now for teacher hiring event on May 6 

HISD recruiters work at a teacher job fair at the University of Houston on April 7, 2017.

The HISD Human Resources team is hosting a Teacher Selection Event on Saturday, May 6, at Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center (4400 W. 18th St., Houston, 77092) for current teachers and 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.  Continue reading →