Category Archives: District V – Sue Deigaard

Trealla Epps named new principal of Roberts Elementary School

Trealla Epps poses for a photograph, January 13, 2016. (Dave Einsel/Houston ISD)Trealla Epps has been named the new principal of Roberts Elementary School. She began her career in HISD as a first-grade teacher at Longfellow Elementary School. After teaching both first and second grades at Longfellow and taking on a variety of leadership roles, Epps served as the school’s instructional coordinator and assistant principal.  In 2006, she became the principal of Gordon Elementary (now the Mandarin Chinese Language Immersion Magnet School). She became the principal at Bruce Elementary School in 2011.

Epps holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from the University of Houston (Central Campus) and a master’s degree in educational mid-management and supervision from the University of Houston – Clear Lake.  She also holds certification in English as a Second Language and early childhood education.

Futures Academy seniors get valuable industry experience through Walgreens internship

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Sometimes, opportunity dwells just down the street. Twenty-two rising seniors from the Futures Academy at Jane Long Academy are discovering this truth through pharmacy technician internships at Walgreens locations across the city.

The Long students involved have all taken dual-credit pharmacy classes at Houston Community College (HCC). They will receive additional credit from HCC upon completing their internships at Walgreens, which could easily lead to pharmacy technician jobs or scholarships to attend pharmacy schools. Two interns, rising seniors Marilyn Mendoza and Jonathan Urguilla, have already received job offers from the stores at which they are interning.

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Former students volunteer at Summer School Program

They may have left their middle-school days behind them, but that doesn’t mean high-schoolers can’t still go back to mentor those who now occupy their old seats. That’s why former students of Johnston Middle School are currently serving as volunteers at the Summer School Program.

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2015 Bellaire HS grad to play piano with Houston Symphony

A 2015 Bellaire High School graduate will be playing the piano with the Houston Symphony before she begins the next chapter of her education.

Esther Liao was awarded the opportunity to play with the Symphony as part of becoming the gold medalist in the 2015 Ima Hogg Competition. She’ll take the stage at Jones Hall at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 11, and perform a selection of Tchaikovsky and Dvoràk pieces. Continue reading →

Educators using grants to expand their classrooms’ horizons

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Once a topic becomes personal, all learning barriers are shattered. Or so Bellaire High School English teacher Matt Olsen and Bradley Quentin of Sinclair Elementary School believe.

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Camp M.I. Way proves educational for both campers and counselors

CECHS student Emerson Greer (holding umbrella) helps a Camp M.I. participant navigate a water activity.

CECHS student Emerson Greer (holding umbrella) helps a Camp M.I. participant navigate a water activity.

Over the past several weeks, middle and high school students from HISD campuses across the district have been volunteering at Camp M.I. Way, a special program designed to give students with multiple impairments a chance to practice and expand their social skills in an atmosphere of fun.

As part of the camp, run by Homerun Hitters International, student counselors guide campers in various activities that are designed to engage the five senses. Emerson Greer, a rising junior at Challenge Early College High School, has served as a camp counselor for two years and describes the experience below:

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Summer Bridge program preparing Futures Academy students for success

Rising sophomores get tips from former Futures Academy students and EMERGE fellows

The journey from high school to college to a career can be challenging, but HISD’s Futures Academy is helping students develop the skills they’ll need to get there.

The Summer Bridge Program is arming rising high school sophomores with critical knowledge in the areas of time management, team building, communication, and money management. Four sessions are scheduled for June and feature classes taught by Futures Academy and EMERGE alumni.

“One way we thought this message would resonate with students is by having former HISD Futures Academy and EMERGE students returning from their first year in college lead the sessions,” said Michael Love, assistant superintendent of the Futures Academy. “This allows the students to learn directly from peers who recently walked the same hallways as them.”

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Roberts ES teacher ‘Caught in the Act’ of delivering great instruction

Roberts Elementary School English teacher Jennifer Heemer was recently “Caught in the Act” of great instruction during a lesson on how to compose an essay. An HISD video crew, along with Chief Elementary Curriculum and Development Officer Lance Menster, surprised Heemer and her students and captured the video below.

The “Caught in the Act”—or CIA—video campaign was started by HISD to recognize highly effective teachers who are delivering instruction that will lead to students become 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.

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Apollo 20 Fellowship program highlighted on Great Day Houston

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HISD’s Apollo 20 Fellowship program was the subject of a recent segment on KHOU’s “Great Day Houston” with Debra Duncan.

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