Category Archives: Teachers

Summer STEM Institute helps teachers infuse learning with fun

More than five dozen HISD science, technology, engineering, and math teachers took part in a summer institute recently that was designed to help boost students’ math and science scores by incorporating more fun into their lessons.

The educators came from 23 HISD elementary and middle schools that received part of a TIF4 STEM grant from the U.S. Department of Education. The grant also provides resources such as equipment and technology, and participating teachers will receive additional training opportunities throughout the school year and share what they have learned with other faculty members at their campuses.

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Campus, district leaders share best practices at PLS 2015

Campus and district leaders are getting ready for the start of the new school year by sharing best practices and learning some new ways to help students succeed.

The Professional Learning Series 2015 was held at NRG Park in early August, and Sessions were designed to connect HISD’s leader competencies with Global Graduate competencies, as well as the district’s core initiatives of Global Education/Dual Language, Linked Learning, Literacy By 3, and PowerUp. 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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Tropical Storm Bill doesn’t dampen teachers’ enthusiasm for job fair

Despite the rain showers brought by Tropical Storm Bill that day to the Houston area, nearly 500 teacher candidates attended HISD’s June 18 recruitment fair at NRG Center, a record-breaking number for the district.

Cierra Nickerson, a selection specialist with Talent Acquisition, said her team closely monitored the weather reports, but decided that the event could go on safely. The decision paid off, as 491 candidates attended, and 88 teachers were hired during the fair. Another 40 follow-up interviews were also scheduled.

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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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Teachers of the Year for 2015 announced at HISD Celebration of Excellence

HISD held its fourth annual Celebration of Excellence at the Hilton Americas Hotel on May 15, 2015, and one of the evening’s most exciting moments came when the district’s Elementary and Secondary Teachers of the Year were announced.

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Robert Uzick, a fourth-grade teacher at Cunningham Elementary School, and Jessica Joseph, a sixth-grade math teacher at Hogg Middle School, have been named the winners of these awards for 2015. Continue reading →

HISD rolls out workplace bullying training for all employees

Houston Independent School District is continuing its effort to eliminate workplace bullying by introducing a new training course for employees.IMG_3619

Under the new policy adopted in August 2014, the district is taking steps to protect the emotional and physical well-being of its adult team members by passing one of the first comprehensive anti-bullying policies in the nation for public school employees.

Under HISD policy, anyone who witnesses bullying or a form of intimidation can also report it. The course explains the definition of workplace bullying—how to identify it and the process of filing a formal report through management.

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HISD to announce its Teachers of the Year on Friday, May 15

HISD will be announcing its Elementary and Secondary Teachers of the Year during the district’s annual Celebration of Excellence on Friday, May 15.

The ceremony won’t start until 6 p.m. that evening, so be sure to follow us on Twitter or visit the district’s website after the event concludes at 8 p.m. to see who won the titles for 2015.

You can see a list of the ten finalists (along with a photo gallery of most of them in action) here.

Also announced that night will be the “Fan Favorite,” a new category of recognition created this year to honor the people’s choice for the most-liked campus-based Teacher of the Year. People began voting for their favorites on May 1, and you can see a list of the six finalists here.

Register now to attend May 13 teacher job fair

District seeking highly effective educators to produce global graduates

Join Team HISD and help us produce global graduates. The district is hosting a job fair on Wednesday, May 13, 2015, and we’re seeking effective teachers to join our team.

Please note: You must first apply for a teaching position using our online application system by clicking here.

  • If you are a Texas certified teacher, please be prepared to provide evidence of your credentials
  • If you are an Alternative Certification Program candidate, please upload your Letter of Acceptance, Statement of Eligibility, and university transcripts

Interested teachers who have completed the online application and been approved by the Talent Acquisition team will receive additional details about the job fair, including its time and location.

Principals will be on hand to interview highly qualified candidates and will be prepared to extend on-the-spot job offers.

The district strongly encourages bilingual, secondary math and science, and special education candidates to apply and attend.

If you have any questions, please email teacherselection@houstonisd.org.

Thank an educator during Teacher Appreciation Week May 4–8

If you can balance your checkbook, make a grocery list, or even read this sentence, you have a teacher to thank.

Educators help prepare young people for the world of adulthood—and for more than 170 days each year, HISD teachers carry out that mission—by teaching them not only the basics of reading, writing, and arithmetic, but also how to approach difficult problems, how to think things through logically, and even how to persist in the face of adversity.

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