HISD’s Office of Talent hosted its first ever Service Milestone Reception on Dec. 14 at Kinder High School for Performing and Visual Arts.

Employees celebrating their 10th, 20th, 30th, 40th, and 50th year with the district were recognized and honored for their decades of service and dedication.

“Our committed educators, counselors, administrators, support staff and many more have ushered the Houston community through defining moments, including natural disasters and most recently the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Superintendent Millard House II. “Every time we have faced a challenge, it is Team HISD who shows up to meet the need head on, together.”

One member of Team HISD has been with the district for more than 50 years. Sharon Lemond started her career with HISD in 1968 during integration. Her first teaching position was at Field Elementary School, and she has gone on to teach multiple subjects in almost every grade level at several schools. Today, she teaches at Navarro Middle School.

“If you really care about people, children are people that need our guidance because they’re the future, and what better place than for teachers to teach them,” said Lemond.

As part of HISD’s five-year strategic plan, the Office of Talent is committed to fostering and developing world-class talent by creating an employee experience that continues to invest in its employees. At the reception, Chief Talent Officer Jeremy Grant-Skinner announced that a key focus in the new year will continue be employee health and wellness in order to recruit and retain that talent.

“We hope to see employee involvement in these efforts and use their voices as a guiding force to create a strong, supportive environment for all HISD employees,” said Grant-Skinner.

The Office of Talent will be holding another Service Milestone Reception in the spring.