Dr. Dana Arreola has been selected as the school support officer for the Northeast Area. Dr. Arreola is the former principal of McGowen Elementary School, where she led its transformation leading to a “Met Standard” rating.
Author Archives: HISD Communications
Special message from Superintendent Carranza on student protections
Houston ISD Superintendent Richard Carranza sent the following message today to parents, community members, and employees:
Houston ISD is proud of its rich diversity. Each and every one of our students has a right to an education that is free from discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. Our focus and determination to serve all students will not be diminished by the recently announced rollback of guidelines to provide much needed protections for transgender students in public schools.
In HISD, we will continue to provide a safe and positive learning environment for all students.
We do not discriminate. In fact, HISD board policy clearly states that we do not condone discrimination on the basis of race, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, and/or gender expression, or on any other basis prohibited by law. The HISD Board of Education and I are committed to respecting and recognizing all students for who they are.
Our students represent the best of who we are, and together we are HISD.
Sincerely,
Richard A. Carranza
HISD Superintendent
Angel Wilson named new principal of Cornelius Elementary
Angel Wilson has been selected as the new principal of Cornelius Elementary School. Wilson has served as a teacher and Teacher Development Specialist, and she has a wide range of campus leadership experience in diverse communities such as Durkee Elementary, where she was dean of instruction; Thompson Elementary, where she was assistant principal; and Lanier Middle School, where she was also assistant principal. Wilson holds a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies with an emphasis in Early Childhood Education and a Masters in Educational Administration. Both degrees are from Prairie View A&M University.
Honor African Americans during Black History Month by learning about HISD’s namesake schools
Click image for an interactive tour.
HISD is celebrating Black History Month by exploring the many schools named for distinguished African Americans in the community. The district has more than 30 schools that recognize the contributions of African American leaders ranging from renowned educators to legislators to community leaders. The first week’s story focused on early childhood centers and elementary schools. Last week, the series continued with middle and combination schools, and this third week is high schools, alternative schools, and the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center.
Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center – When former teacher Hattie Mae White (1916-1993) was elected to the HISD Board of Education in 1958, she was the first African American elected to public office in Texas in the 20th century. She led the effort to desegregate Houston’s schools, undeterred despite racist attacks. White also was elected to the YWCA Metropolitan Board of Directors, where she served for six years. After being defeated for a third term with HISD, she returned to teaching and retired at age 70. She attended Booker T. Washington High School and the former Texas Southern University before graduating from what is now Prairie View A&M University. The HISD district headquarters building on Richmond was named in her honor, as is the new building on W. 18th Street that replaced it.
Tarrynce Robinson named new school support officer for the Northeast Area
Tarrynce Robinson has been selected as school support officer for the Northeast Area. Most recently, he was serving as principal of Bailey Middle School in Spring ISD.
Katherine Keafer named new principal of Longfellow Elementary
Katherine Keafer has been selected to be the new principal of Longfellow Elementary School. Most recently, she was assistant principal at Shearn Elementary School.
Keafer began her career in 2010 as a Teach for America corps member teaching fifth-grade science at Shearn. She has also taught fifth-grade math and fourth-grade writing. Keafer has a bachelor’s degree in communication studies from Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois. She was a part of HISD’s leadership cohort through the University of St. Thomas, and in 2016 she earned her master’s degree in educational leadership.
Mayra Romero named new principal of Shearn Elementary
Mayra Romero has been selected as the new principal of Shearn Elementary School. Most recently, she served as assistant principal at Wainwright Elementary School. Romero began her career in 2010 as a kindergarten teacher at John F. Kennedy Elementary School. She also served as a HUB Teacher Development Specialist training teachers districtwide. Romero has a bachelor’s degree in political science from University of Texas Pan-American and a M.Ed. in educational leadership from the University of St. Thomas.
Jeffrey Whitaker named new principal of McGowen Elementary
Jeffrey Whitaker has been appointed new principal of McGowen Elementary School. Most recently, he served as assistant principal at Thurgood Marshall Elementary School for three years. Before that, Whitaker taught at Sutton and Burbank elementary schools, where he was lead teacher, department chair, and three–time winner of Teacher of the Year. Last spring, he successfully completed HISD’s Principal Candidate Development Opportunity program for aspiring leaders. Whitaker has a B.B.A. in finance from the University of Houston and a M.Ed. in educational administration from the University of St. Thomas. He grew up in the area surrounding McGowen and is excited to have the opportunity to serve as principal.
Luis Landa named new principal of Sutton Elementary
Luis Landa has been selected as the new principal of Sutton Elementary School. Most recently, he served as assistant principal at Austin High School and teacher specialist at Patrick Henry Middle School. Landa taught at McReynolds Middle School, where he was a lead teacher, department chair, and teacher of the year. For the last two years, he has served on the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Teacher Advisory Council, where he provided support on national education initiatives. Landa earned a B.S. in biology from the University of Texas at San Antonio and a M.Ed. in curriculum and instruction from the University of St. Thomas. He is in the process of completing his Ed.D. in educational leadership from the University of Houston.
Crespo ES student wins annual Martin Luther King Jr. Oratory Competition
Fourth-grader wins $1,000 prize for original speech inspired by civil rights leader
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Crespo Elementary School fourth-grader Nhedrick Jabier flexed his muscles, threw a few punches, and neatly fixed his bow tie as he channeled the legendary boxer Muhammad Ali while presenting his winning speech on what Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. would have thought about Ali’s contributions to society. Continue reading