Category Archives: Teachers

DeAnda ES teacher named Teacher of the Month for October 

Fourth-grade students at DeAnda Elementary School thought it was just another day of learning prepositions and sentence structure, until Interim Superintendent Dr. Grenita Lathan surprised their teacher, Hillary Smith, as the Sterling McCall VIP Services Teacher of the Month for October.

Having served as a fourth- and fifth-grade English/Language Arts and Social Studies teacher, Smith was selected for her tenacious spirit that brings literacy to life for students at DeAnda.

“We are grateful to have had Hilary serve DeAnda students for the last seven years,” said Principal Lauren Mailhiot. “Her high expectations coupled with passion pushes our students beyond their limits in both reading and writing.” Continue reading →

HISD to host first PreK-12 Writing Summit for teachers

HISD’s Elementary and Secondary Curriculum and Development will host the district’s first PreK-12 Writing Summit for teachers on Saturday, Oct. 13 at Chavez High School (8501 Howard Dr. 77017).

The event, which will run from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., will feature learning opportunities for teachers at all levels with topics such as reading/writing connections, writing across all contents, rubrics and anchor papers, small group instruction, discourse, writing conferences, writing portfolios, and much more.

All teachers who attend will receive a $10 voucher to purchase books from the Barnes & Noble pop-up bookstore that will be on site. Follow-up teacher development opportunities will be offered throughout the fall and spring during department chair/lead teacher meetings, as well as for parents at Parent University.

No classes on Monday for fall holiday; professional development planned

Students will not have classes on Monday, Sept. 10, for the district’s fall holiday. Classes will resume at the normal time on Tuesday, Sept. 11.

Schools will be holding professional development, and administrative offices will be open during normal business hours on Monday. School-based staff who have their principal’s permission to use previously uncompensated professional development time in lieu of Monday’s work day may do so.

View the full academic calendar to review other holidays during the 2018-2019 school year.

Incoming freshmen at South Early College HS get an early start 

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Over 80 incoming South Early College High School freshmen are participating in the school’s annual Summer Bridge program in which students focus on core academic subjects, team building, career and college readiness, collaborative learning, and field trips.

Over the course of two weeks, students attend mini-workshops from Houston Community College faculty and staff on topics about dual credit, library services, counseling, advising, campus safety and classroom etiquette. Students also take the Texas Success Initiative, which is the college entrance exam.  Continue reading →

Fifth annual Special Education Conference planned for July 17-18 

The Office of Special Education will hold its fifth annual Special Education Conference next month for parents and educators to share supports and strategies that help students with disabilities to be successful – academically, socially, and emotionally.

The two-day conference will be held from 7:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 17 and Wednesday, July 18 at Kingdom Builders’ Center (6011 W Orem Dr., 77085).

The theme of this year’s conference is “Engage, Restore and Support Every Student.” With presentations from teachers and thought leaders in the special education field, participants can expect to leave transformed and ready to begin the school year armed with new and effective instructional and behavioral strategies.  Continue reading →

HISD Board of Education to consider proposed 2018-2019 budget

Proposed budget includes $19.2 million for special education, dyslexia programs, Achieve 180 and a planned performance audit

 June 12, 2018 – The Houston Independent School District Board of Education will meet Thursday to consider adopting the proposed 2018-2019 budget.

The proposed budget includes $16.7 million in increases for special education, dyslexia programs and Achieve 180, the program introduced this school year to support underserved and underperforming schools, which will continue in place next school year. The proposal also includes $2.5 million for a forthcoming performance audit. Continue reading →

Teach Forward Houston Cohort 3 selected

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This is the third year for the Teach Forward Houston program, a collaboration with the University of Houston College of Education (COE) and HISD to educate students in return for their commitment to teach in HISD schools for four years.

Continue reading →

HISD Foundation distributes second round of Hurricane Harvey relief grants 

Thanks to an outpouring of donations from many philanthropists and local organizations, the HISD Foundation distributed almost $200,000 in a second round of Hurricane Harvey relief grants this week.

The distribution comes right in time for more than 150 teachers and staff who were prepping for their summer break.

Grants ranged from $250 to $5,000, with the largest donation being selected personally by Interim Superintendent Grenita Lathan.

“We are happy to have the opportunity to give once again to those who needed the most,” Dr. Lathan said. “As we near the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Harvey, there are still individuals who are rebuilding and need all they help they can get.”

The Foundation decided in February to accept another round of applications from principals and administration for the second round. The grants were awarded based on need, the number of applications, and available funds.

Horn ES teacher upgrades classroom thanks to Innovation Grant 

Horn Elementary School students can’t help but have their senses ignited when they walk into the classroom of STEM teacher Alex Jones, a recipient of one of the HISD Foundation’s Innovation Grants this school year.

For the 2017-2018 school year, the Foundation was able to award more than $150,000 in Innovation Grants, thanks to the generous donations from local community members and business partnerships.

Jones received $7,000 to purchase tablets, drones, and robots for his classroom.  Continue reading →

HSPVA recognizes teacher for Outstanding Teacher of the Humanities Award 

Three HISD teachers are recognized by Humanities Texas

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The High School for the Performing and Visual Arts (HSPVA) recognized world geography teacher Jennifer Chase for being a winner of the Outstanding Teaching of the Humanities Award by Humanities Texas—the state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

The Outstanding Teaching of the Humanities Award recognizes eleven teachers annually for their exemplary K-12 humanities curriculum.

“Whether working with her world geography classes, collaborating with the National Honor Society members, or spending extra time tutoring a struggling student, Jennifer is always doing what is best for the students,” HSPVA Principal R. Scott Allen said. “She is one of the most talented and engaging teachers I have had the opportunity to work with in my 26 years of education.”  Continue reading →