Keeley Simpson has been selected as school support officer for the Southwest Area. Since 2007, she has served as the principal of West Briar Middle School and was named the district’s Secondary Principal of the Year for 2016-2017. Simpson has been an educator for 15 years and has served in various roles. She began her career in Texarkana ISD as a history teacher before joining HISD as a teacher, assistant principal, associate principal, and dean of instruction at Lamar High School. Simpson earned her bachelor’s degree in history and master’s degree in educational administration from Texas A&M University. She currently is working on her doctorate at the University of Texas, with graduation slated for May 2018.
LaTonya Hodge named new principal of Fondren Middle School
LaTonya Hodge has been selected as the new principal for Fondren Middle School. Hodge has been an educator for 14 years and has served in various roles, from teacher to manager. She began her career in HISD as an elementary and middle school teacher before joining Pasadena ISD as a counselor. Hodge also has served as the assistant principal of Burbank Middle School and currently serves as the manager of graduate teaching fellowship at KIPP Houston Public Schools. She earned her bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary students and master’s degree in counseling from Prairie View A&M. She earned her doctorate from the University of Houston in teaching and teacher education.
Isaac Daniels named new principal of Hobby Elementary School
Isaac Daniels has been selected as the new principal of Hobby Elementary School. Daniels has been an educator for 11 years and has served in various roles, from teacher to assistant principal. He began his career in HISD as a science teacher before becoming a teacher development specialist to support teachers in science, math and English language arts. Since 2016, he has served as the assistant principal at Gregory Lincoln Elementary Center. Daniels earned his bachelor’s degree in pre-medical biology from Texas Southern University and his master’s degree in educational leadership from University of St. Thomas.
Benjamin Hernandez named new principal of Marshall Middle School
Ben Hernandez has been selected as the new principal of Marshall Middle School. Hernandez currently is the principal at Sherman Elementary School. He has served in HISD for over 20 years and began his career in education in 1997 as a physical education teacher at Bonner Elementary. He also has served as a bilingual teacher at Lantrip Elementary School and a teacher development specialist for the Apollo 20 schools. Hernandez has held district leadership positions as project manager for the EdPlan learning management system and academic program manager for the TIF 3 and TIF 4 federal grants. He is an inaugural member of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation’s Teacher Advisory Committee and a recipient of the White House Champion for Change award. Hernandez earned both his Bachelor of Business Administration and Master of Educational Administration and Supervision degrees from the University of Houston. He currently is attending the University of Texas at Austin as part of the Cooperative Superintendency Program.
HISD Board of Education approves 2017-2018 school year budget
Proposed budget includes almost $49 million for salary increases, $2.2 million for special education
The Houston Independent School District Board of Education on Thursday approved a 2017-2018 school year budget that includes almost $49 million in salary increases and $2.2 million for special education.
The salary increases are designed to ensure the district is providing all employees with a competitive and livable wage, while the special education funding is designed to provide that department with essential additional resources. Continue reading
HISD Board of Education to consider proposed 2017-2018 budget during Thursday meeting
Proposed budget includes $48.6 million for salary increases, $2.2 million for special education
The Houston Independent School District Board of Education on Thursday will consider a proposed 2017-2018 school year budget that includes $48.6 million in salary increases and $2.2 million for special education.
The salary increases are designed to ensure the district is providing all employees with a competitive and livable wage, while the special education funding is designed to provide that department with essential additional resources. Continue reading
STAAR scores now available: What you need to know
The Texas Education Agency has redesigned the STAAR student report cards and revised the way students’ performance is labeled on STAAR tests in grades 3-12. The results of the May 2017 STAAR and End of Course (EOC) tests are now available online at www.TexasAssessments.com. Read below to learn how to access your child’s score, how to read the new student report cards, and what has changed with STAAR performance labels. Continue reading
HISD superintendent discusses equity, district’s vision during forum with African-American community leaders
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HISD Superintendent Richard Carranza told African-American community, business, and civic leaders on Tuesday that HISD is prioritizing equity in the district and proposing a plan, called Achieve 180, to target 32 underserved schools with extra supports and funding.
Carranza outlined his priorities for the coming year during a one-on-one interview with Houston Defender Publisher Sonceria Messiah Jiles, part of the Defender’s “Conversations and Coffee” series. Continue reading
Parker ES construction passes halfway mark
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Construction at Parker Elementary School is now more than halfway complete with exterior framing and roofing well underway on the east side of the building.
“I’ve been doing a monthly walk-through in the building, so I’m seeing the progress each time I go,” Parker Principal Lori Frodine said. “I feel good it’s moving along. I’m happy that they’re starting to accelerate the work.”
The construction crew is working diligently at the site to make up some time lost due to previous weather delays. Currently, they are installing the HVAC systems on the first floor along with the chilled water pipes. Installation of the sprinkler system is also in progress.
High School for Law and Justice construction makes steady progress
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Driving along the Gulf Freeway near the University of Houston, it’s not hard to spot the new High School for Law and Justice, which rises three stories tall and is now about 60 percent complete.
“I love seeing the progress,” said HSLJ Principal Carol Mosteit. “This is going to be a beautiful building that will enhance our law and justice curriculum and provide a wonderful learning environment for students.” Continue reading