Category Archives: Teachers

United Way of Greater Houston Partners with Bruce Elementary School

First-grade students at Bruce Elementary School are getting new help achieving their reading goals.   The United Way of Greater Houston is partnering with the school in a new literacy mentor program.

The program will pair a volunteer and a first-grade student together for the entire year.  During that time, the volunteers will read a book with the students and will later help them complete a literacy exercise. 

United Way President and CEO Anna Babin presented books to all of the first grade students along with a $5,000 check to principal Trealla Epps.  Both Babin and Epps said they believe the initiative will encourage the volunteers to develop positive relationships through mentoring and literacy.

HISD Now Hiring for the 2013-14 School Year!

HISD is now recruiting highly-qualified teachers for the 2013-14 school year to help us fulfill our mission of providing each and every one of our students with an excellent education.  Candidates are strongly encouraged to apply online here by the Early Bird application date of January 14, 2013, to have the best chance of securing an early contract for the 2013-14 school year.    Continue reading →

Campus Safety Message from Superintendent Terry Grier

Dear HISD Community,

Schools are supposed to be places where our children feel safe to learn and play with their friends.  On Friday, we were reminded that even our best efforts to protect our precious students are sometimes not enough to prevent tragedy.  I know that all of you join me in praying for the Newtown community and sending them our sincere condolences as they grieve their unimaginable loss.

As Houston ISD students and employees return to class today, I want to assure you that we are taking action to ensure our schools are as safe as possible.  We have nearly 200 fully certified police officers in the HISD Police Department, and they are vigilantly patrolling our school neighborhoods and walking our campus hallways.  Every school in HISD regularly performs safety drills, and every campus leadership team has an emergency preparedness plan in place.  In the days and weeks to come, our police department leaders will be reviewing our procedures to determine whether any modifications are necessary to further protect our children and employees.

HISD also employs a well-trained team of psychologists whose services are available to every campus.  Our principals and teachers will not hesitate to bring them in to help any student who might need their care.   It is not uncommon for children to have questions and to express fears in these times.  We encourage parents to address their children’s concerns proactively.  The National Association of School Psychologists offers some helpful tips for parents as they discuss this tragedy with their children.  Those suggestions include reassuring children that they are safe, and acknowledging their feelings.  You can find more recommendations on the group’s website by clicking here.

The final week of school before winter break is always a time of celebration and anticipation.  We owe it to our children to keep it that way.  We also owe them a collective commitment to doing whatever it takes to keep them safe while they are in our care.  I want to personally wish each of you a joyful holiday season, and encourage you to hug your children just a little tighter and a little longer this year.

 Terry B. Grier

Team HISD is still hiring for the 2012 – 2013 school year

HISD still has openings for the 2012-2013 school year.  We are looking for motivated teachers who are invested in making an impact on student achievement.

 $5000 incentives are currently available for teachers in critical shortage areas including:

Bilingual (Spanish), Spanish, secondary math, secondary science, and special education areas such as Autism, Life skills, Preschool Program for Children with Disabilities, DeafEd, and Behavior Support. 

The annual teacher salary at HISD begins at $45,887, and salary offers depend on educational credentials and prior work experience.  HISD offers a comprehensive benefits package to teachers, including medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance; flexible spending account options; and vacation time.

 Candidates must have a Bachelor’s degree, hold valid Texas teaching certification (or reciprocal out-of-state certification), and pass a background check. We are committed to diversity in our hiring and employment practices and encourage all qualified candidates to apply.  

We are offering a $75 referral award for critical shortage teachers hired for this year’s vacancies!

Please help us spread the word that there’s never been a better time to teach in HISD.  If you know someone who shares our vision, please let our recruitment team know by completing a brief online form.  If your referral is hired, you will be eligible to receive a $75 award per referral for assisting us in our vision.

 We believe that an effective teacher in every HISD classroom is critical to ensuring a bright future for our city.  To apply to teach with our district, please visit HISD’s Teacher Recruitment page by clicking here.

Burbank Elementary staff team up for scavenger hunt

Teachers and staff at Burbank Elementary are gearing up for the first day of school by participating in team building activities. Earlier this week, they participated in a scavenger hunt where teams had to decipher clues at various locations around the city, including Discovery Green and the driving range at Memorial Park.  Burbank ES Teacher Robert Wiseman says the winning team members each received $70 to put toward the purchase of new school supplies.

Students attending Burbank ES and hundreds of other HISD schools begin classes on Monday, August 27. Earlier today, we posted links to some of the most frequently sought-after information by HISD parents. These will help make sure your student is ready for Monday and the rest of the 2012-13 school year.

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HISD teachers gear up for beginning of 2012-13 school year

Teachers and staff across Houston ISD are decorating rooms, preparing supplies and finalizing their plans for the upcoming school year. There’s a little more than one week until school starts for most HISD students (Apollo 20  secondary students begin on Monday, Aug. 20), and while students are enjoying the last few days of summer vacation, our teachers and staff are working hard to be ready for the 2012-13 school year.

Many of us have been working over the summer to prepare for this year, too. Learn about some of our new schools and programs beginning in a few weeks.

HISD Remembers Felix Cook

Houston ISD mourns the loss of former HISD teacher and administrator Felix Cook. Please join us in sharing your memories of this Houston education pioneer by posting in the comments section below.

Felix Cook Jr.

Felix Cook was a teacher and administrator at HISD for 36 years, starting in the 1940s. He served as a teacher and coach at E. O. Smith Junior High and Phillis Wheatley High School and as the principal of Sharpstown High School. Cook also served for 12 years as a deputy superintendent. HISD named a school for him in 2006 on the site of the old James Sanderson Elementary School.

Trustee Lawrence Marshall (left) and administrators Faye Bryant (center) and Felix Cook were honored as HISD's Living Legends.

Cook (right), along with HISD trustee Lawrence Marshall (left) and administrator Faye Bryant (center), were honored as HISD’s Living Legends in a ceremony in February 2012.

Felix Cook is a native of Houston and a product of the Houston Independent School District (HISD), having attended Sanderson Elementary School and graduated from Phillis Wheatley High School.  He attended Wiley College in Marshall, Texas, received a Masters of Education Degree from Texas Southern University (TSU), and an Honorary Doctorate of Humanities from Wiley College.

Mr. Cook’s professional career was devoted to public education at both Houston ISD and Texas Southern.  While at HISD, he served as a teacher and coach at E.O Smith Junior High School and Phillis Wheatley High School.  He served as principal at Sharpstown High School, superintendent for secondary schools, and deputy superintendent in charge of personnel.  In 1986, after 36 years of service with HISD, he retired.  He also served as adjunct professor for higher education at TSU from 1974 to 1994.

In 2006, HISD renamed the new replacement school for his alma mater, Sanderson Elementary School, in his honor:  Felix Cook, Jr. Elementary School.  The new Cook Elementary School was officially dedicated on Sunday, October 15, 2006, with hundreds of Kashmere and Trinity Gardens community members filling the multi-purpose room to honor the school’s namesake.

He has been recognized with many other honors and awards from organizations including the United Negro College Fund, Wiley College, City of Houston Police Department, Texas Children’s Hospital and M.D. Anderson Hospital.

Combine love of teaching and the outdoors as a camp leader

[slideshow]Love to teach?  Love the outdoors?  Combine both for the perfect job!  Work with the Houston Independent School District in promoting a positive, holistic, natural experience for 5th grade students in the Sam Houston National Forest as a camp leader or assistant camp leader! 

 Job details include teaching a set curriculum of Science and Social Studies lessons while instilling core community values in our students.  A typical work week requires a day of set up, 3 nights supervising a small cabin group and teaching lessons during the day. Benefits include housing, 3 fresh meals a day, health insurance options, weekends and holidays off and doing what you love to do!

Requirements:  Availability from August to May.  Associate/Bachelors degree preferred.  Summer camp or outdoor experience is helpful.  Must be capable of supervising and guiding students safely throughout their stay.  Quality communication skills with children and adults are a must!  Sound like your line of work? 

 Visit Houstonisd.org/jobs or e-mail Kenneth Pyle @ kpyle@houstonisd.org for more information.

Gregory-Lincoln Education Center Summer Teaching Institute

For two weeks in June at Gregory-Lincoln Education Center, teachers and administrators gathered for a team building and planning event, “The 48 Hour Summer Teaching Institute.”  For 6 hours a day over an 8 day period, the group participated in team building, planning, literature review, and shared vision exercises.  One of the highlights of the institute was when former 8th grade students discussed their experiences with the teachers.  During the student panels, administrators were able to ask the students specific questions to help gain insight about their teaching methods from a student’s point of view.

The goal of the institute was for teachers and administrators to come together to develop a better education plan for the upcoming school year.  Principal Pamela Farinas hopes events like this will help teachers and faculty recognize common goals and bonds as educators.  She also hopes the teaching institute will become an annual event.

Team HISD is Hiring – Apply now!

HISD currently has hundreds of openings for motivated teachers who are invested in making an impact on student achievement. Candidates who submit an application by August 13 will be eligible to start teaching in the fall. 

While vacancies caused by voluntary resignations and retirements exist in all areas, the highest need for teachers exists in critical shortage areas, including bilingual (Spanish), Spanish, secondary math, secondary science, and special education areas such as Autism, Life skills, Preschool Program for Children with Disabilities, DeafEd, and Behavior Support.

Teachers in HISD are committed to holding themselves to high expectations, and they believe without a doubt that every child can learn. These sentiments are shared by HISD 2011-12 Teacher of the Year honoree Ashley Monteil.  “HISD is a district willing to implement innovative programs to affect student outcomes in a positive way,” said Monteil, who teaches second-grade and fourth-grade students at Lyons Elementary school.  We set high expectations at HISD and we’re concerned with the success of every single student.  It’s an exciting time for education right now, in Houston and nationally.  If you are passionate about opening doors to kids, I couldn’t think of a greater opportunity.” 

The annual teacher salary at HISD begins at $44,987, and salary offers depend on educational credentials and prior work experience.  HISD offers a comprehensive benefits package to teachers, including medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance, flexible spending account options, and vacation time.

 By filling out one application, applicants gain access to a network of nearly 300 diverse schools looking for qualified, experienced teachers.  Candidates must have a Bachelor’s degree, hold valid Texas teaching certification (or reciprocal out-of-state certification), and pass a background check. We are committed to diversity in our hiring and employment practices and encourage all qualified candidates to apply.  

We believe that an effective teacher in every HISD classroom is our city’s best chance for a bright future. To apply to teach with HISD, please visit HISD’s Teacher Recruitment page by clicking here.