Category Archives: District II – Kathy Blueford-Daniels

Wheatley HS biology teacher named finalist for Presidential Award

Wheatley High School biology teacher Ferleshare Starks poses for a photograph in her classroom, August 14, 2015. (Houston ISD/Dave Einsel)

Ferleshare Starks

Ferleshare Starks, a biology teacher at HISD’s Wheatley High School, has been named a finalist for the 2015 Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST).

Starks, who came to HISD from Fort Bend ISD last year, is one of only 10 educators from Texas to be so honored. She was nominated by Tia Watson, a first-year teacher she is mentoring.

“Being nominated by my mentee is one of the highlights of my career,” said Starks. “My passion is to fill all new teachers with a love for science. Being named a finalist has given me an overwhelming sense of gratitude.”

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Preparing today’s high school graduates for the future

HISD recognizes the need to instill in students the skills they will need to be successful after high school, in college, or the workplace, and to compete in today’s global economy. In this month’s edition of Up Close, HISD Board of Education President Rhonda Skillern-Jones discusses the skills and characteristics of the Global Graduate with HISD Secondary Curriculum and Development Officer Annie Wolfe, Davis High School Principal Julissa Alcantar-Martinez, Chief Elementary Curriculum and Development Officer Lance Menster, and Shadydale Elementary School Principal Tammie Daily.

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“HISD engaged industry leaders, educators, university professors, community leaders, parents, and students to determine what knowledge, skills, and dispositions are critically important to have in place when a child graduates from HISD,” explained Menster. “Interestingly, they all focused on the six characteristics that form HISD’s Global Graduate profile.” Continue reading →

‘Caught in the Act’ spotlights Wheatley HS geometry teacher

Keisha Evans, a Wheatley High School teacher, was “Caught in the Act” of delivering great instruction during a sophomore geometry class toward the end of the 2014–2015 school year. An HISD video crew, along with Secondary Curriculum and Development Officer Annie Wolfe, surprised Evans and her students, and captured the video below.

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The “Caught in the Act” video campaign was started by HISD earlier this year to recognize highly effective teachers who are delivering instruction that will lead to students becoming Global Graduates — young men and women who possess the skills necessary to ensure success in college and the ability to compete in today’s global workforce. Continue reading →

Washington HS students achieve liftoff in New Mexico

It took them five long years to do it, but the High Altitude Rocketry Team from Washington High School has finally achieved success.

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On their fifth visit to the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico this July, the team managed to launch its 23-foot suborbital rocket. Continue reading →

Summer STEM Institute helps teachers infuse learning with fun

More than five dozen HISD science, technology, engineering, and math teachers took part in a summer institute recently that was designed to help boost students’ math and science scores by incorporating more fun into their lessons.

The educators came from 23 HISD elementary and middle schools that received part of a TIF4 STEM grant from the U.S. Department of Education. The grant also provides resources such as equipment and technology, and participating teachers will receive additional training opportunities throughout the school year and share what they have learned with other faculty members at their campuses.

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Geraldine Russ Cox appointed principal of Highland Heights Elementary

Geraldine R. Cox poses for a photograph, September 2, 2015. (Houston ISD/Dave Einsel)Geraldine Russ Cox has been selected to be principal of Highland Heights Elementary School. Mrs. Cox comes to HISD with a record of more than 30 years of achievement in the educational arena across multiple settings. For the past four years, she has worked in Illinois as a chief turnaround officer. Prior to her tenure in Illinois, she successfully led two elementary schools in Greensboro, North Carolina.  Under her leadership, each campus was recognized as a Most Improved School in Guilford County

Mrs. Cox holds both a bachelor’s degree in Child Development & Family Relations and a master’s degree in Early Childhood Education from North Carolina A&T State University. She received an additional master’s degree in Educational Administration from Gardner Webb University and is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in Educational Leadership.

Reginald Bush selected as principal of Kashmere Gardens Elementary

Reginald Bush poses for a photograph, January 13, 2016. (Dave Einsel/Houston ISD)Reginald Bush has been appointed principal of Kashmere Gardens Elementary School. Mr. Bush previously served as assistant principal at Burrus Elementary School. He began his career at HISD teaching seventh- and eighth-grade social studies at M. C. Williams Middle School, where he also served as dean of students, district coordinator for after-school programs, and instructional interventionist.

Mr. Bush holds a bachelor’s degree in Social Science from Delta State University and a master’s degree in Educational Administration from Prairie View A&M University.

Traci Bryant Lightfoot selected as principal of Bruce Elementary School

Traci Lightfoot poses for a photograph, January 13, 2016. (Dave Einsel/Houston ISD)Traci Bryant Lightfoot has been appointed principal of Bruce Elementary. Ms. Lightfoot has served in a variety of roles during her 24 years in education, including teacher, program coordinator, instructional coach, and assistant principal. She began her career in HISD as a fifth-grade teacher and campus specialist at Barrick Elementary. She also served as a national trainer and school improvement specialist at the University of Houston. After two years of assisting struggling schools, Ms. Lightfoot worked at Klein ISD as an instructional specialist and program coordinator of Title 1 schools for five years. She returned to HISD in 2011 as a science teacher at Cullen Middle School, and was named assistant principal one year later.

Ms. Lightfoot received her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Abilene Christian University and her master’s degree in Education from Prairie View A & M.

 

Nancy Blackwell named new principal of Kashmere High School

Nancy Blackwell has been selected as the new principal of Kashmere High School. Ms. Blackwell has a total of 38 years of experience in the field of education, including 15 years of classroom experience in grades K-12. She recently retired from the Aldine ISD, where she served as principal of Worsham Elementary, Hambrick Middle School, and MacArthur Senior High School. Ms. Blackwell received her Bachelor of Science degree from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois, and her master’s in Mid-Management from Stephen F. Austin University in Nacogdoches, Texas.

 

STEM fields come to life for ELL, migrant students at Rice

Twenty-eight students in HISD’s English Language Learner and migrant programs spent two weeks of their summer participating in hands-on science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) activities at the STEM Leadership and Design Fabrication Academy at Rice University.

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The students, who attend Austin, Chávez, Davis, Furr, Kashmere, Liberty, Lee, Sam Houston, Sharpstown, and Waltrip high schools, got a taste of what careers in a STEM-related field could be like. Continue reading →