HISD campus and district leaders learning new ways to help students succeed at PLS 2018

HISD campus and district leaders will prepare during the summer for the start of the new school year during the district’s annual Professional Learning Series (PLS). This year’s theme is: “Children First: Building Strong Systems of Support.”

School leadership teams will attend these professional development sessions June 20-21 at Kingdom Builders’ Center (6011 West Orem, Houston, 88085) starting at 8 a.m. Leaders will learn essential skills on how to manage the social and emotional well-being of all students proactively on their campuses.

PLS provides a platform for HISD’s leaders to learn about connections between adult behaviors and positive school/community culture. Learning and development opportunities for leaders will be grounded in instructional leadership focused on data-driven instruction and literacy; social and emotional learning; and wraparound services. Continue reading →

Lawson MS hosts ‘Walk to Remember’ before building demolition

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Music echoed throughout the Lawson Middle School gym as community members gathered with former students and staff to catch up with old friends, flip through old yearbooks, and dance the afternoon away.

Led by current students and staff, the stroll down memory lane was part of a “Walk to Remember” — an event held to let stakeholders bid their final farewells to the building before it is demolished later this summer.

“It’s important to preserve the memories,” Lawson Principal Kasey Bailey said. “There’s a lot of history with this school, but we’re very excited to move into the new building.”

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Erika Kimble named new principal of Hilliard Elementary School

Erika Kimble has been selected as the new principal of Hilliard Elementary School. Kimble began her career in education as a teacher and teacher specialist at Bonham Elementary School. In 2013, she joined Shadydale Elementary School, where she served as a teacher specialist and assistant principal. Most recently, Kimble has served as the principal of Henderson Elementary School. Kimble earned her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of St. Thomas and completed graduate studies in Special Education at Prairie View A&M University and Educational Administration and Supervision at the University of Houston.

Alana Holloway named new principal of N.Q. Henderson Elementary School

Alana Holloway has been selected as the new principal of N.Q. Henderson Elementary School. Holloway began her career in education 10 years ago in HISD. Holloway has served students as a secondary English Language Arts teacher, Reading teacher, ESL Reading teacher, and teacher specialist. Holloway is currently the assistant principal at Paige Elementary School. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Houston and a Master of Educational Administrative Leadership at Grand Canyon University in Phoenix.

Connie Smith named new principal of North Forest High School

Connie Smith has been selected as the new principal of North Forest High School. Smith has 20 years of experience in education and has served as a teacher, content specialist, teacher coordinator, dean of instruction, and elementary and middle school principal. In 2017, Smith’s leadership at Thomas Middle School earned the campus four distinctions in mathematics, social studies, student progress, and postsecondary readiness. Smith is an Army veteran and holds a Bachelor of Science in biology from Dillard University and a Master of Education in mid-management from Prairie View A&M University.

Alvaro Montelongo Jr. named new principal of Looscan Elementary School

Alvaro Montelongo Jr. has been selected as the new principal of Looscan Elementary School. Montelongo has been an educator for 11 years and has served in HISD as a math coach, instructional specialist, and assistant principal. Montelongo began his career at Santa Fe High School before joining HISD. Since 2015, Montelongo has served as an assistant principal at Lewis Elementary School. Montelongo earned his bachelor’s degree in history with a minor in Mexican-American Studies from the University of Houston and master’s degree in Educational Leadership from University of Texas at Tyler.

Vernitra Shivers named new principal of Thomas Middle School

Vernitra Shivers has been selected as the new principal of Thomas Middle School. Shivers has more than 15 years of experience in public education. She began her career as an elementary teacher in Orleans Parish Schools in New Orleans. In 2004, Shivers joined Team HISD as an ELA teacher at Williams Middle School. Shivers has worked as a literacy coach at Jane Long Middle School and assistant principal at Patrick Henry and Deady middle schools. For the past three years, Shivers has served as assistant principal and dean of instruction at Madison High School. Shivers earned her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Xavier University of Louisiana and master’s degree in Educational Administration from Prairie View A&M University.

Amanda Rodgers named new principal of Braeburn Elementary School

Amanda Rodgers has been selected as the new principal of Braeburn Elementary School. Rodgers has served as assistant principal of Braeburn for the last five years. Previously, she taught at Pat Neff Elementary School in HISD for six years. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Education from the University of St. Thomas and her master’s in Business Administration from Rice University. She received her principal certificate through the Rice Education Entrepreneurship Program (REEP).

Shani Wyllie named new principal of Attucks Middle School

Shani Wyllie has been selected as the new principal of Attucks Middle school. Wyllie joined HISD in 2010, where she has served students at Navarro, Jackson, and Deady middle schools. Wyllie currently is the assistant principal at Edison Middle School, where she oversees both the math and science departments. Wyllie received both her undergraduate and master’s degrees from the University of Maryland.

Marques Collins named new principal of Kashmere Gardens Elementary School

Marques Collins has been selected as the new principal of Kashmere Gardens Elementary School. Collins started his 20-year career in HISD as a sixth-grade self-contained teacher for the Male Initiative Program at Kennedy Elementary School. He has served as the assistant principal of Kashmere Gardens Elementary School for the past 2 years and has been instrumental in significantly improving student outcomes. Collins earned his bachelor’s degree in Health Education with a minor in Social Work from Prairie View A&M University and a master’s degree in educational leadership from Lamar University.

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