Former ACP Teacher of the Year now has his eyes on the Fishman Prize

Physics teacher Adeeb Barqawi works with his students at Kashmere High School, April 14, 2014. (Houston ISD/Dave Einsel)

Physics teacher Adeeb Barqawi works with his students at Kashmere High School on April 14, 2014.

When Adeeb Barqawi first started teaching during the 2012–2013 school year, he had no idea how quickly success would come to him.

But in June of 2013, he was named the Alternative Certification Program Teacher of the Year for the entire State of Texas, and the following February, his approach to instruction was highlighted in a Breakthroughs feature of the district’s eNews publication. This led to accolades from the mayor and Houston City Council in April of 2014, and now, the high school physics instructor is hoping the combination of his teaching philosophy and his students’ achievements will bring him recognition on the national stage. Continue reading →

Wainwright ES educator helping her students ‘embrace the struggle’

In this edition of I Am HISD, which features district students, graduates, employees, and other members of Team HISD, we talk to Wainwright ES teacher Jennifer Hannah about what got her into the field of education, how the Effective Teacher Fellowship helped prepare her for the classroom, and why she inspires her fourth-graders to engage in “productive struggle” when writing.

Jennifer Hannah poses for a photograph at Wainwright Elementary School, November 6, 2014. (Houston ISD/Dave Einsel)
You’ve already accomplished a great deal academically and professionally. You’ve earned a master’s degree in creative writing, freelanced as a writer and researcher for McDougal Littell, taught as an adjunct professor at the University of Houston, and even written a number of children’s books. What inspired you to go into the classroom?

A couple of things. For three years, I taught freshman composition and rhetoric at UH. I really was surprised at how much I liked talking and thinking and learning about writing. Teaching was a way for me to think about writing in a way that I hadn’t before, and I loved that. Then, when my children started going to preschool, I visited a lot of classrooms to find the best schools for them, and I noticed that once I picked their schools and was involved in volunteering, I never wanted to leave. I liked seeing how busy and occupied children could be when they were learning.

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Jones HS joins forces with UN Women to ‘wipe out’ Ebola

When America’s first confirmed case of Ebola was diagnosed last month in Dallas, many Houstonians sat up and took notice, as that north-Texas city is located only about 240 miles away.

But students at HISD’s Jones Futures Academy have turned their alarm into action by launching a “Wipe Out” campaign to collect hand sanitizer, bleach, antibiotic wet wipes, gloves, and antibacterial soaps for shipment to Liberia, one of the hardest-hit countries in Africa.

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Video: An inside look at the design process for Lamar HS

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In a new video, members of Lamar High School’s Project Advisory Team (PAT) discuss the planning and design process of the new Lamar High School, which will combine 21st century educational strategies with 21st century architecture.

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Houston Rockets supports HISD effort to raise awareness about recycling

clutchStudents at Shearn Elementary School were paid a visit from Clutch, the mascot for the NBA Houston Rockets, as part of a fun and educational program that teaches kids about recycling.

The show, “Red Nation Goes Green: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” is a partnership between HISD and the Houston Rockets to help increase the district’s awareness of recycling, along with the importance of education.

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‘First Generation’ documentary inspires students to see college as a possibility

The national “Go College!” tour made stops at Worthing, Sharpstown International, Sharpstown, and Sam Houston high schools this week to show students that they can go to college regardless of the challenges they may face at home. The tour features a screening of the documentary film, First Generation, which tells the story of four high school students who aspire to break their family’s cycle of poverty by pursuing a college education.

“College is so different from high school,” said Dontay Gray, a cast member in the film who spoke to students briefly after the screening at Sharpstown on Tuesday. “And as a first generation college student, I was really on my own. I had to find people who were like-minded and had similar goals to mine, so that I could stay focused.”
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Contractors, HISD Supplier Diversity department host networking event for Davis HS project

H.J. Russell & Co. representatives meet with subcontractors to discuss opportunities on the rebuilding of Davis High School.

HISD’s Business Assistance – Supplier Diversity Department, along with representatives from H.J. Russell & Global Momentum, hosted a meet and greet recently at the Hattie Mae White building to give contractor attendees the opportunity to network and discuss requirements for the upcoming bond construction project at Davis High School.

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Dual language program to double in size for 2015–2016 school year

HISD’s dual language program is doubling in size next year to more than 50 campuses — and the district is currently recruiting schools to commit to the year-long process to become a dual language campus for the 2015–2016 year.

Dual language campuses promote instruction in two languages as equally important. This allows English Language Learners (ELLs) to retain their own language while mastering English and gives native English speakers the gift of bilingualism. Studies have shown that children enrolled in dual-language programs routinely outperform their peers on standardized tests, do better on college-readiness exams such as the SAT, and can earn up to 20 percent more in wages as adults.

“Dual language schools also support biculturalism,” said Assistant Superintendent of Multilingual Programs Gracie Guerrero. “It’s a win-win for everyone, and HISD’s long-term vision is that every graduate will be fluent in two languages.”

HISD’s current dual language schools are now accepting student applications for the 2015–2016 school year. For a complete listing of campuses, click here, or watch the video below to learn more about the program and its benefits.

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Schools interested in the opportunity of becoming a dual language campus for the 2015–2016 school year should contact Gracie Guerrero at guerre5@HoustonISD.org or 713-556-6961.