HISD’s Highland Heights Elementary has seen tremendous growth under the New Education System, going from a D to a B rating in just one year.

Teachers like Xenia Kaniouras are driving that success in the classroom. With a love for math and seeing her students excel, she is this week’s Star Educator.

Kaniouras says her students quickly caught on to the multiple response strategies, which have increased their engagement and enthusiasm. Hear more about how her students are learning through collaboration and high-quality instruction in the video below.

Kaniouras recently earned the title Elementary North Division Teacher of the Year. Learn more about some of her favorite things:

Favorite subject in school: Mathematics.

Favorite memory of your time with HISD: When my students have that “a ha!” moment.

Favorite thing about Houston: The culture and the hospitality.

Goal for your students and staff this upcoming school year: To connect with one another; and to do the best in all we do and to be the best we can be.