Reginald Bush selected as principal of Kashmere Gardens Elementary

Reginald Bush poses for a photograph, January 13, 2016. (Dave Einsel/Houston ISD)Reginald Bush has been appointed principal of Kashmere Gardens Elementary School. Mr. Bush previously served as assistant principal at Burrus Elementary School. He began his career at HISD teaching seventh- and eighth-grade social studies at M. C. Williams Middle School, where he also served as dean of students, district coordinator for after-school programs, and instructional interventionist.

Mr. Bush holds a bachelor’s degree in Social Science from Delta State University and a master’s degree in Educational Administration from Prairie View A&M University.

Steven Stapleton appointed principal of McReynolds Middle School

Steven Stapleton poses for a photograph, January 13, 2016. (Dave Einsel/Houston ISD)Steven Stapleton has been selected to be principal of McReynolds Middle School. He began his teaching career at Madisonville Consolidated ISD and Dickinson ISD as a physics and chemistry teacher. He then moved to Alvin ISD, where he served as district technology-curriculum specialist, assistant principal, and most recently, director of professional learning and innovative teaching.

Mr. Stapleton received his bachelor of science in Biology with a concentration in teaching from University of Texas at Austin. He earned his master’s in Education Administration from Lamar University and is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in Educational Leadership from Texas A&M University.

Nicole Ayen-Metoyer named principal of Gregory-Lincoln Education Center

Nicole Ayen Metoyer poses for a photograph, September 2, 2015. (Houston ISD/Dave Einsel)Nicole Ayen-Metoyer has been selected as principal of Gregory-Lincoln Education Center. She began her career at HISD in special education as a resource teacher, and she later became department chairperson at Dogan Elementary. Ms. Ayen-Metoyer also served as evaluation specialist, response-to-intervention coordinator, and teacher development specialist. After 13 years of teaching and central office experience, she joined the administration team at Hogg Middle School as lead assistant principal.

Ms. Ayen-Metoyer received her bachelor of science in English from University of the West Indies, Trinidad and Tobago, and her master’s degree in library services from University of the West Indies, Jamaica.

Traci Bryant Lightfoot selected as principal of Bruce Elementary School

Traci Lightfoot poses for a photograph, January 13, 2016. (Dave Einsel/Houston ISD)Traci Bryant Lightfoot has been appointed principal of Bruce Elementary. Ms. Lightfoot has served in a variety of roles during her 24 years in education, including teacher, program coordinator, instructional coach, and assistant principal. She began her career in HISD as a fifth-grade teacher and campus specialist at Barrick Elementary. She also served as a national trainer and school improvement specialist at the University of Houston. After two years of assisting struggling schools, Ms. Lightfoot worked at Klein ISD as an instructional specialist and program coordinator of Title 1 schools for five years. She returned to HISD in 2011 as a science teacher at Cullen Middle School, and was named assistant principal one year later.

Ms. Lightfoot received her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Abilene Christian University and her master’s degree in Education from Prairie View A & M.

 

Mar Azcarraga appointed principal of Roosevelt Elementary School

Mar Azcarraga poses for a photograph, September 2, 2015. (Houston ISD/Dave Einsel)Mar Azcarraga has been selected as principal of Roosevelt Elementary School. She has been part of Team HISD for 13 years, during which time she served at the elementary level as curriculum developer, bilingual teacher, and in other leadership capacities, including grade chairperson, math lead, and presenter. Most recently, Ms. Azcarraga served as assistant principal of Hartman Middle School for three years.

Ms. Azcarraga received a bachelor of science degree in Computer Science from University of Houston-Downtown and a master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Lamar University.

Nirmol Lin selected as principal of Park Place Elementary

Nirmol Lim has been appointed as principal of Park Place Elementary. Most recently, Ms. Lim was serving as dean of instruction at Hartman Middle School, and has been a part of the Hartman team for the last three years. Prior to this, she served as a math teacher development specialist, collaborating with K-5 teachers throughout the district to strengthen their math practices. Ms. Lim began her teaching career in 2003 at Seguin Elementary as a fifth-grade teacher and was identified as an ASPIRE Highly Effective Teacher for two consecutive years.

Ms. Lim earned her bachelor of science in Psychology from University of Houston and her master’s in Educational Administration from Sam Houston State University.  She is currently completing her doctorate of education in Public School Administration from Texas A & M University.

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 →

Diana De La Rosa appointed new principal of Northline Elementary School

Diana De La Rosa has been selected as principal of Northline Elementary School. Ms. De La Rosa retired after 34 years of service with HISD and is returning after a two-year hiatus, during which she volunteered and taught in various schools. Before retiring, she served as principal of Benavidez Elementary, Jane Long Middle School, and Patrick Henry Middle School. Before that, she was a teacher, supervisor, and assistant principal. Ms. De La Rosa received her bachelor of science degree in Bilingual Education from University of Texas at Austin and her master’s degree in Educational Administration from University of Houston.

Nancy Blackwell named new principal of Kashmere High School

Nancy Blackwell has been selected as the new principal of Kashmere High School. Ms. Blackwell has a total of 38 years of experience in the field of education, including 15 years of classroom experience in grades K-12. She recently retired from the Aldine ISD, where she served as principal of Worsham Elementary, Hambrick Middle School, and MacArthur Senior High School. Ms. Blackwell received her Bachelor of Science degree from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois, and her master’s in Mid-Management from Stephen F. Austin University in Nacogdoches, Texas.

 

Secondary teachers gear up for new school year at Transformation Institute

More than 2,000 teachers attend professional development focused on transforming instruction

Nearly 1,000 middle and high school teachers spent the last week of July gearing up for the start of the school year at the district’s Summer Transformation Institute—one of five professional development sessions held this summer by the Office of Secondary Curriculum and Instruction. The fifth and final Institute at Chávez High School featured sessions on the use of technology for content development and classroom instruction, as well as sessions on project-based learning, classroom management, and reading and writing workshops.

“Teachers are loving the opportunity for choice,” said Chief Secondary Curriculum and Instruction Officer Annie Wolfe. “We designed the Institute so that teachers could start off the morning with their peers in core-content areas, but then have the opportunity to choose late morning and afternoon sessions based on their skill level and needs.” Continue reading →