Category Archives: Teachers

Ketelsen ES educator named 2016-17 Bilingual Teacher of the Year  

Janet Rodarte

“If I can do it, you can, too!” That’s what Janet Rodarte tells her fifth-grade students at Ketelsen Elementary when one of them is on the verge of giving up.

She tells them her story, about being the daughter of two immigrants from Acuna, Coahuila, and stepping into the classroom speaking only Spanish, to let them know she understands.

“As the daughter of two immigrants who came to the United States for a better life, I know that if you have the mentality to succeed, you will,” Rodarte says.  Continue reading →

Superintendent’s message for Teacher Appreciation Day

Today is National Teacher Day, and HISD Superintendent Richard Carranza asks that the community join him in thanking teachers for the amazing work they do every day. Watch this video message from the superintendent, and tell the teachers in your life how much they are appreciated today and all year long.

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

Two winners to be announced at May 19 Educators of the Year banquet

Over the past week, HISD staff, students, and alumni voted more than 105,000 times 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 →

Thank a teacher during 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.

This year’s theme is “Teachers Deliver,” reflecting the lessons, inspiration, and encouragement teachers bring into the classroom every day.

While many schools celebrated during the week of May 1-5, the National PTA and the National Education Association honor teachers during the week of May 7-12 and on National Teacher Day, May 9.

Join the celebration by sharing photos, kind words, or a gift with teachers present and past to honor all they do to prepare students for success.

Help determine the ‘Fan Favorite’ Teachers of the Year 

Winners to be announced at May 19 Educators of the Year banquet

HISD will honor teachers and principals on Friday, May 19, at the district’s Educators of the Year banquet, and back by popular demand will be the announcement of the “Fan Favorite.”

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. Continue reading →

Finalists selected for 2016-2017 Teachers of the Year

The Houston Independent School District has announced the finalists for the district’s 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.

Fourteen finalists were 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 19. The 14 finalists were selected from all 287 campuses based on performance data and other criteria.

Continue reading →

Apply now for teacher hiring event on May 6 

HISD recruiters work at a teacher job fair at the University of Houston on April 7, 2017.

The HISD Human Resources team is hosting a Teacher Selection Event on Saturday, May 6, at Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center (4400 W. 18th St., Houston, 77092) for current teachers and prospective teachers interested in joining Team HISD.

In order to attend the invitation-only event, candidates must be pool-approved. Begin the application process by clicking here. Applicants who meet certification standards will receive an invitation with location and other event details. Applicants must then register for the event.  Continue reading →

HISD teacher recruitment in full swing

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Teacher recruitment is underway and the HISD recruitment team has been traveling to colleges across Texas and the nation to meet with students who are graduating in May and want to become teachers.

Even HISD Superintendent Richard Carranza is hitting the recruitment trail. Carranza was on hand at an April 7 recruitment event at the University of Houston.

Continue reading →

Coming soon to a movie theater near you 

Teachers featured in advertisement for district

If you head to the movies over Spring Break, you may see some familiar faces on the big screen.

Several HISD teachers are featured in a video advertisement to recruit teachers to the district. The 30-second spot, called “Teach in the City,” is aimed at enticing current teachers who live in Houston and the surrounding suburbs to come teach at HISD. You can watch the video below.

“Teach in the City” features a half dozen HISD teachers, including Morgan Greco, a second-year teacher at Herod Elementary School.

“I am thrilled to be part of this effort to recruit both new and veteran teachers,” Greco said. “I love working for HISD.”

HISD, university partners meet to strengthen collaboration

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As HISD works to find an effective teacher for every classroom, one of the district’s renewed focuses in on strengthen partnerships with colleges and universities to recruit and better prepare new teachers.

To help achieve this, HISD hosted representatives from several universities Wednesday to begin a discussion on how the district and higher education institutions can improve the lines of communication when it comes to teacher training and support. Among those in attendance were the University of Houston, University of Houston-Downtown, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Texas State, Sam Houston State, Texas Southern, Prairie View A&M, and University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.

Continue reading →