Category Archives: Teachers

HISD meets its newest Team HISD members at New Teacher Academy

There wasn’t an empty seat in sight as more than 1,500 new teachers filled the gymnasium at Kingdom Builders for their first day as members of Team HISD at the district’s annual New Teacher Academy.  

With parking overflowing to the adjoining streets, it’s one of the district’s most exciting days as HISD welcomes and prepares those who have decided to embark on the journey of teaching. 

The four-day conference is a collaboration between Onboarding & Organizational Development and the Professional Support & Development teams. Planning begins more than six months before as district representatives gather to produce an action-packed week filled with information and resources new teachers need as they navigate through their first year at HISD.  

As the many new faces nervously headed to training focused on curriculum and lesson planning, a few of the district’s newcomers shared a bit about themselves and why they are eager to get started for the 2019-2020 school year. 

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HISD prepares to welcome nearly 1,500 teachers for 2019-2020 school year

HISD’s Office of Leadership and Teacher Development will host all new teachers during the district’s annual New Teacher Academy (NTA) on August 6-9 at Kingdom Builders Center (6011 W. Orem Dr., 77085) from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. each day. 

With nearly 1,500 new teachers set to be in attendance, NTA is the largest teacher induction conference in the state to welcome those new to the industry and provide insight into the district’s processes, resources and expectations.  

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Elementary Teacher of the Year Finalist named Teacher of the Month for May

Dogan Elementary got to celebrate twice this month when their fourth-grade ELAR teacher Brittani Rideaux, who was crowned as an Elementary Teacher of the Year finalist was also named the Sterling McCall VIP Services Teacher of the Month for May. 

To help close out the school year, Sterling McCall VIP Services surprised Rideaux on Wednesday to celebrate her accomplishments in the classroom that have landed her multiple recognitions across the district.  

“Ms. Rideaux has a strong commitment and passion to Dogan students’ academic achievement,” Principal Sandra Menxueiro said. “Her growth mindset and grit are a motivation to her students and staff, which has resulted in classroom success.” 

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HISD celebrates 2018-19 Educators of the Year at western-themed banquet

The Houston Independent School District crowned the district’s top elementary and secondary teachers of the year during the annual, western-themed Educators of the Year banquet on Friday, which honors teaching excellence across the district.

Nazaret Chavez-Guerrero, a second-grade ESL math teacher at R.P. Harris Elementary School, and Jose Clemente, a math teacher at Westbury High School, were named the 2018-2019 Elementary and Secondary Teachers of the Year, respectively.

“I want you to know we appreciate the countless sacrifices and time you have spent in making sure every student knows their potential and greatness,” HISD Interim Superintendent Grenita Lathan said. “You are the most important indicator of a student’s academic outcomes.”

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Longtime Washington HS educator wins HEB Excellence in Education award

Booker T. Washington Engineering teacher Nghia Le accepts the
Secondary Education Leadership prize at HEB’s Excellence in Education Awards on Saturday, May 4.

An engineering teacher at HISD’s Booker T. Washington High School and the High School for Engineering Professions is one of the eight educators statewide receiving this year’s HEB Excellence in Education Awards. 

Nghia Le was awarded HEB’s Secondary Education Leadership prize, which honors teachers with 10 to 20 years of classroom experience. The award comes with a $10,000 grant for his school and a $10,000 check for his personal use.  

“Dr. Le is certainly one of our shining stars in the classroom,” HISD Interim Superintendent Grenita Lathan said. “He leads an out-of-this-world program and deserves this prestigious honor and the prize that accompanies it.” 

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HISD to celebrate top teachers, principals at western-themed Educators of the Year banquet

The Houston Independent School District will honor its teachers and principals at a western-themed Educators of the Year banquet at 6 p.m. on Friday, May 17 at the Hilton Americas Hotel (1600 Lamar St., Houston, 77010).

During the banquet, the district will announce its 2018-2019 Elementary and Secondary Teachers of the Year, as well as the recipients of the Beginning Teacher of the Year honors for elementary, middle, and high school. The Fan Favorite Teacher, who was selected by survey, also will be announced. Additionally, the district will recognize the teachers of the year from all HISD campuses.

Both winners of Elementary and Secondary Teacher of the Year each will be surprised with a fully loaded 2019 Lexus luxury vehicle at the end of the program. The teachers will be able to drive the cars for the entire summer, courtesy of Sterling McCall VIP Services.

HISD celebrating Teacher Appreciation Week May 6-10

Teacher Appreciation Week is May 6-11, and HISD is asking students, families and the community to “Thank a Teacher” in person or on social media using #ThankAnHISDTeacher.  

To celebrate our teachers’ commitment and service, HISD will recognize teaching excellence across our district at the annual Educators of the Year banquet on May 17, at the Hilton Americas Hotel.  

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Two ‘Fan Favorite’ teachers to be announced at May 17 Educators of the Year banquet

Vote now in Round 2 for elementary and secondary finalists

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: 

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Stevens ES teacher receives the 2019 Elementary Science Teacher Award

The Elementary Curriculum and Development Department celebrated Science Teacher Dierdre Ricketts of Stevens Elementary School as the winner of the 2019 Elementary Science Teacher award, sponsored by alliantgroup on Tuesday. 

Earlier this month, the department announced the below six finalists for the inaugural award who were selected by a committee of school office and curriculum leaders, teacher development specialists, strategic partnerships, and university partners. 

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Help determine the 2018-19 Fan Favorite Teachers of the Year

Winners to be announced at May 17 Educators of the Year banquet 

HISD needs your help to determine the district’s “Fan Favorite” Teachers of the Year, who will be announced on Friday, May 17, 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.  

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