Category Archives: Achievement/Recognition

Six HISD educators nominated for national LifeChanger of the Year award

Six HISD educators have been nominated for the 2018-2019 national LifeChanger of the Year award.

Sponsored by the National Life Group Foundation, LifeChanger of the Year recognizes and rewards the very best K-12 educators and school district employees across the United States who are making a difference in the lives of students by exemplifying excellence, positive influence and leadership.

The following HISD educators have been nominated by students, colleagues, and parents:

  • Carlotta Brown, lead principal at Peck Elementary School
  • Olga Catoni, fifth-grade teacher at School at Saint George Place
  • Deitra Ford-Robinson, senior manager of South Area Special Education Services
  • TaNitra Robinson, second-grade teacher at B.K. Bruce Elementary Music Magnet School
  • Aletha Williams, chemistry teacher at Milby High School
  • Gina Wilkins, assistant principal at Woodson PK-5 Academy

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Top-performing fourth-grade teacher is January’s Teacher of the Month  

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Fourth-grade teacher Alvaro Camaripano couldn’t help but have tears flowing down his face when he was surprised by Interim Superintendent Grenita Lathan on Tuesday as the Sterling McCall VIP Services Teacher of the Month for January.

A 17-year veteran teacher at Barrick Elementary School, Camaripano was recognized for his track record of high math performance scores that have also gotten him distinguished as one of the top 5 percent math teachers in the district.

“Mr. Camaripano is well-deserving in receiving this honor,” said Principal Yolanda Garrido. “He is a humble, loving, and dedicated teacher that works hard daily to ensure all students achieve academic success.” Continue reading →

Milby HS to receive highest honor in school architecture competition

Construction at Milby High School, June 21, 2017. (Dave Einsel/Houston ISD)

Milby High School is one of two schools selected to receive the prestigious 2018-2019 Caudill Award, the highest honor presented in the statewide Exhibit of School Architecture.

The annual competition showcases new and renovated Texas schools and recognizes excellence in their planning and design. It is sponsored by the Texas Association of School Administrators and the Texas Association of School Boards.
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January is School Board Recognition Month 

January is School Board Recognition Month, and the Houston Independent School District is joining other districts across the state to honor local leaders for their dedication and willingness to serve as advocates for public schools.

These dedicated public servants become school board trustees to serve as advocates for school children because they are committed to improving public education and their communities. School board members devote many hours to making sure students receive a high-quality education and are provided with schools that are safe and have the resources and instructional programs to educate them to their fullest potential.  Continue reading →

Northside HS students awarded funds to improve technology projects 

Students from Northside High School presented their 2018 Together with Tech Project at the Harris County Clerk’s office.

Two student-led groups from HISD’s Northside High School scored big recently, winning grants to improve their 2018 Together with Tech projects.

The students received nearly $20,000 after submitting a formal funding request to build upon the projects they presented at this past year’s Together with Tech Student Conference, which was held in April.

Although the groups did not place at the conference, they received valuable feedback, and the panel of judges encouraged them to continue with their work.  But that would take funding.  Continue reading →

Looscan ES community to receive $250,000 for neighborhood revitalization project

A $250,000 grant was presented to Avenue CDC during Looscan Elementary’s winter program.

The area surrounding HISD’s Looscan Elementary School will soon be transformed thanks to a $250,000 grant from Republic Services for an upcoming neighborhood revitalization project.

The grant funds, awarded to Houston-area nonprofit Avenue CDC, will be used for the organization’s Boosting Success for Looscan Elementary School project. The funds will be allocated to improve safe routes to school, SPARK Park renovations, and lead abatement in 10 neighborhood homes.

The grant will be presented Wednesday during the school’s winter program.

Avenue CDC is a builder of homes and a builder of communities in Houston, Texas.  The organization builds affordable homes, provides education, and supports robust community engagement programs that promote resident leadership and improved quality of life for all Houstonians.

HISD Athletics Director Andre’ Walker recognized by NIAAA 

HISD Director of Athletics Andre’ Walker has received the designation of Certified Master Athletic Administrator by the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association.

Through a voluntary NIAAA certification process, Walker was evaluated on his background, experience, and professional contributions. He joins an elite group of administrators who demonstrate exemplary professionalism in the field of interscholastic athletic administration.

Walker has spent the past 18 years serving students in HISD as a teacher, coach, assistant principal, and most recently as a senior athletics program administrator for the district’s Athletics Department. He received his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Texas Southern University, Master’s in Education from Prairie View A&M University.  Continue reading →

Board of Trustees hears update on positive developments in Achieve 180 program 

As the district prepares to wrap up the first half of the school year, Achieve 180 leadership had nothing but positive results to share on the program’s first semester to Board of Trustees on Monday.

Achieve 180 Area Superintendent Felicia Adams provided an update that focused on how the program’s pillars have yielded immediate outcomes within the first half of the school year.

The six guiding pillars within Achieve 180 program provide the strategic framework for the transformational work being done at campuses.

The pillars focus on leadership excellence, teaching excellence, school design, social and emotional learning support, and family and community empowerment.  Continue reading →

Organization identifies HISD as leader in dyslexia intervention  

HISD is leading the way on how dyslexia is identified and addressed at the district and school levels, according to a recent report released by the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB).

In April 2018, SREB spent time with the HISD Dyslexia Program Support Services Office and asked them to share their experiences regarding changing dyslexia practices. According to the report, through leadership dyslexia training with Neuhaus Education Center (NEC) — a nonprofit organization devoted to evidence-based training and support for reading — at the district and school levels, HISD can readily determine if a student is dyslexic and then quickly provide early intervention.

“Houston ISD chose to work with Houston-based NEC to train regional and campus-based dyslexia specialists and interventionists,” the report states. “Some elementary schools in the district also work more directly with Neuhaus to try to prevent reading difficulties early by training classroom teachers to incorporate structured language teaching into their daily reading instruction.”  Continue reading →

16 Kinder HSPVA students receive national recognition for talents

Sixteen students from Kinder High School for Performing and Visual Arts were named 2019 YoungArts winners by the National YoungArts Foundation, which identified them as some of the nation’s most promising young artists in visual, literary, design and performing arts.

Two Kinder HSPVA students, Deena Fahed – Visual Arts and Katherine (Kate) Kortum – Jazz Voice, were named finalists and will have the opportunity to participate in the 38th annual National YoungArts Week on January 6-13 in in Miami. Finalists are also eligible for nomination to the White House-appointed Commission on Presidential Scholars. Continue reading →