Category Archives: Teachers

HISD celebrating Teacher Appreciation Week

HISD is celebrating Teacher Appreciation Week May 7-12 and encourages students, parents, and the community to “Thank a Teacher” in person or on social media using #ThankATeacher and #HISD.

The district is celebrating with a royal theme this year, which matches the theme for this year’s Educators of the Year banquet, which will be held on Friday, May 18, at the Hilton Americas Hotel.

Teacher Appreciation Week

During the event, the district will announce its 2017-2018 Elementary and Secondary Teachers of the Year, as well as the recipients of the Beginning Teacher of the Year honors for elementary, middle school, and high school. The Fan Favorite Teacher, who was selected by survey, also will be announced. Continue reading →

Cornelius ES teacher wins Teacher of the Month for May 

The Sterling McCall VIP Services Teacher of the Month program ended with a special surprise when Interim Superintendent Dr. Grenita Lathan awarded May’s winner, Julisa Lucio at Cornelius Elementary on Tuesday.

Known across the district for her teaching style, the fifth-grade teacher takes into account the learning needs specific to each of her students when planning and executing lessons. Lucio’s ability to draw students into the lessons and bring literature to life has led to her popularity across the district.

“Everything that she pours into the classroom encompasses love and authenticity,” said Principal Angel Wilson.   Continue reading →

Vote in second round of ‘Fan Favorite’ Teacher of the Year

Two winners to be announced at May 18 Educators of the Year banquet

Over the past week, HISD staff, students, and alumni have voted for their “Fan Favorite” Teacher of the Year. Voters could choose from any of the campus-based Teacher of the Year nominees. The votes are now tallied, and the top four elementary and secondary teachers are moving on to round two. The finalists are: Continue reading →

Help determine the Fan Favorite Teachers of the Year 

Winners to be announced at May 18 Educators of the Year banquet

It’s that time of the year again to decide the “Fan Favorite” Teachers of the Year, who will be announced on Friday, May 18, as HISD honors teachers and principals across the district at the Educators of the Year banquet.

The districtwide elementary and secondary Teachers of the Year are determined using performance data and other criteria, but the Fan Favorite category was created so the HISD community could vote on social media for their favorite elementary and secondary teacher.

All campus-based Teachers of the Year are eligible for this award, which will be determined by who has the largest number of fans. Anyone can vote—including colleagues, parents, students, and former students.  Continue reading →

HISD names 2017-18 Teacher of the Year finalists, Beginner Teacher of the Year winners 

Winners will be recognized on May 18 at the Educators of the Year banquet

In recognition of teaching excellence across the district, HISD will officially crown its principals and teachers at the “royal wedding-themed” Educators of the Year banquet on Friday, May 18, at the Hilton Americas Hotel.

Fourteen finalists have been named for the Elementary and Secondary Teachers of the year. The two winners, who will go on to represent the district in Region 4, will be announced during the Educators of the Year banquet on Friday, May 18. The 14 finalists were selected from all 287 campuses based on performance data and other criteria.  Continue reading →

HISD Board of Education passes resolution calling for action on school safety

The Houston Independent School District Board of Education during its regular April meeting voted to approve a resolution calling for federal action related to school shootings.

Trustees voted 8 to 0 to approve the resolution that acknowledges the Board of Education stands with the students of Broward County Public Schools, and students across the country including HISD in demanding effective and comprehensive action from the federal government to protect schoolchildren. The resolution includes a call for Congress to appropriate adequate new funds to allow the nation’s school districts to plan and coordinate school security efforts with law enforcement officials and make changes to buildings that may be necessary to protect students, teachers, and staff. Continue reading →

Assistant principal’s challenging youth helps him mentor students in disciplinary program

When you meet Tristan Love, assistant principal at HISD’s Secondary DAEP campus, you first notice how polite and smartly dressed he is – wearing a light gray suit, pink bowtie, and polished shoes. He has a sparkle in his eye and a smile for everyone. It’s a far cry from his former life as a gang member.

Love’s politeness and respect extend to his students at the school, who are among the most behaviorally challenged students in HISD. They all have been sent to Secondary DAEP from their home campuses, many of them gang members. But this doesn’t faze Love. He’s living proof that coming from poverty, a broken home, being a gang member, and living a life of violence doesn’t mean you can’t have a bright future.

“I tell my students, my job is to serve you,” Love said. “If I hadn’t run into the caring adults I did when I was younger, I don’t really know where I’d be.”  Continue reading →

Gregory-Lincoln Education Center students benefit from Houston Ballet lessons 

Gregory-Lincoln Education Center dance instructor Thomas Porter teaches all types of dance in his classes, but he has found that ballet helps his students improve in all areas.

“When I began taking dance lessons, I focused on jazz and tap,” Porter said. “But when I took ballet, I saw a major improvement in my jazz techniques. Ballet quickly became my favorite form of dance.”

That’s why he jumped at the chance to have Melanie Hovis from the Houston Ballet teach a series of six master classes at Gregory-Lincoln this spring. Hovis has been teaching with the Houston Ballet for two years, having danced previously with the Austin Ballet.  Continue reading →

HISD’s first Fine Arts Summit to be held this weekend 

The district’s new Fine Arts Dept. is hosting the first Fine Arts Summit from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 7, at Westbury High School (11911 Chimney Rock Road, Houston, 77035).

Fine arts teachers from every grade level are encouraged to attend and hear from keynote speaker John Abodeely, chief executive officer of the Houston Arts Alliance and former acting executive director of the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities. Teachers who attend will receive a $100 stipend.  Continue reading →

Popular Waltrip HS band director crowned Teacher of the Month  

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Tuesday was a day of surprises for Waltrip High School Band Director, Jesse Espinosa, who was crowned the Sterling McCall VIP Services Teacher of the Month for April by Interim Superintendent Dr. Grenita Lathan.

“Mr. Espinosa is so deserving of this award and I couldn’t be more than happy to recognize all his efforts on today,” Principal Dale Mitchell said. “It is his passion and commitment that pushes students beyond the band hall.”

Left speechless during his surprise Tuesday morning, there’s no denying it’s the Waltrip High School alum and Army veteran’s determining spirit that has allowed the Waltrip High School’s band program to be recognized as one of the “Top 5” Title I music programs in the United States.  Continue reading →