Fondren Middle School’s Amanda Williams loves making a positive impact on her students and seeing them grow. As a sixth-grade social studies teacher last school year, her enthusiasm and commitment earned her Campus Teacher of the Year. This year, she’s thriving in her role as an English Language Development Interventionist for the New Education System (NES) campus and is this week’s HISD Star Educator.
Continue readingCategory Archives: Teachers
HISD educators honored with Kinder Excellence in Teaching Awards
Two HISD teachers are recipients of this year’s coveted Kinder Excellence in Teaching Awards, which recognizes inventive and effective teaching methods in underserved communities. Alexis Gage, a science teacher at Chavez High School, and Eric Pacheco, a third grade teacher at Rodriguez Elementary, have dedicated their careers to going above and beyond for their students.
HISD Fine Arts students and teachers raise childhood cancer awareness with gallery show
HISD art students and their instructors gathered at the Asia Society Texas gallery for a unique art showcase on Wednesday, Oct. 28. Students created artwork using the color gold, signifying childhood cancer awareness. The art show is HISD’s third annual collaboration with the Faris Foundation and Asia Society Texas as part of an educational campaign called Let There Be Gold. The showcase, Threads of Gold, was designed to empower student creatives to raise awareness around childhood cancer and utilize art to enact community engagement and social change.
Continue readingEastwood Early College teacher wins $25,000 grant with 2023 Kinder Excellence Teaching Award
Teacher Sarah Honore began her day like any other morning, not knowing what was waiting for her at Eastwood Early College High School. Happening inside the cafeteria was a surprise celebration, complete with a generous $25,000 check.
HISD provides $1 million in Grow Your Own Grant awards to Texas universities
Houston Independent School District announced three university educator preparation programs will be awarded Grow Your Own grants through HISD’s competitive grant program to create pathways for aspiring educators to become teachers for free and get paid to do so.
HISD’s Grow Your Own grant program funds partnerships with educator preparation programs from Texas public institutions of higher education to prepare future teachers. Participants will be able to earn their bachelor’s degree and Texas teaching license while being paid as a full-time teaching assistant in HISD.
Continue readingCommunity partners recognize HISD teachers for excellence in STEM
For the second year in a row, the Houston Astros Foundation partnered with Honeywell International Inc. to recognize 10 outstanding teachers from the Greater Houston area for their commitment to excellence in STEM and contribution to creating innovative ways to improve student achievement and interests in robotics and coding.
HISD announces Teacher Referral Bonus program
Qualifying campus-based HISD employees are invited to support teacher recruitment efforts by taking part in the district’s Teacher Referral Bonus program. Those who successfully refer a candidate will receive a $300 bonus for teachers who sign a contract and start work by the first day of school, Aug. 28, 2023.
Continue readingHISD culinary teacher named among top celebrities in ‘Cool 100’ list
Kellie Alcorn-Karavias is a culinary arts teacher at Gregory-Lincoln Education Center with a passion for teaching good nutrition to her largely food-insecure students. A lifelong passion for food and love for children motivated her to get creative with her curriculum and give her students real-world experiences with growing and cooking food that they could take with them into adulthood. Alcorn-Karavias’ unique lessons landed her on CityBook Houston’s Cool 100 list, an honor the magazine bestows upon only the “coolest” and most creative movers and shakers in Houston, and she and her students couldn’t quite believe it.
Alcorn-Karavias says her students were excited to see her named alongside such notable Houstonians as Megan Thee Stallion, Simone Biles, and Christine Ha.
Continue readingChange careers and become a certified teacher in HISD
Houston Independent School District is helping those with a bachelor’s degree looking to make a career change to become a certified teacher.
HISD’s Alternative Certification Program is dedicated to recruiting college graduates from diverse educational and career backgrounds who are passionate about making a bigger difference in the lives of students.
The program is starting a cohort for prospective teachers focused in critical shortage certification areas (ELAR 7-12, Science 7-12, Math 7-12, and Bilingual EC-6). The application will open on June 5, 2023, and the deadline to apply is July 3, 2023.
Continue readingVote for the 2022-2023 Fan Favorite Educators of the Year
Houston Independent School District is gearing up to name its Fan Favorite Educators of the Year during Teacher Appreciation Week, and you can vote for your pick beginning Monday, May 1.
Rally your school and community to support your campus Educator of the Year and vote during May 1-10!
