Kimberly Kiser has been selected as the new principal at Grissom Elementary School. Kiser most recently served as assistant principal at Kate Smith Elementary School. She began her career in 2006 as a 1st grade teacher at Martinez Elementary. In 2008, she moved to Smith and has held had various roles including teacher, writing specialist, interventionist, instructional specialist, and teacher specialist.
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Justin Ritsema has been selected as the new principal at DeAnda Elementary School. Ritsema most recently served as assistant principal at Mandarin Immersion Magnet School. He began his career in 2009 as a 5th grade teacher at Northline Elementary. He has served as a Teacher Development Specialist and also as an Assistant Principal at Mitchell and Briargrove Elementary.
Continue readingAlvaro Montelongo Jr. has been selected as the new principal for Berry Elementary School. Montelongo has been an educator for 14 years and has served in HISD as a math coach, instructional specialist, assistant principal, and for the last three years as Principal of Looscan Elementary. Montelongo began his career at Santa Fe High School before joining HISD.
Continue readingThe Houston Independent School District will host its first Men’s Leadership Summit in June to encourage men to pursue careers in education.
The Men’s Leadership Summit is Saturday, June 5, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Westbury High school. Participants may also take part virtually at Austin, Heights, Sharpstown or North Houston Early College high schools.
There is a growing gender divide among educators in the United States, with men far less likely than women to become teachers and stay in the profession long term. The summit seeks to empower and inspire men to become educators. It will also appeal to high school boys who are interested in education as a career.
As schools across Houston Independent School District prepare for the 2021-2022 school year, several campuses are using billboards to spread the message about their unique programs.
With taglines like “helping students succeed beyond academics” and “Game Changers,” the billboards tout each school’s individual characteristics and encourage surrounding communities to enroll their students in the schools.
Continue readingA series of billboards can be seen around Houston, with one simple message: Dream Big.
The signage is part of the district’s Dream Big campaign, to promote registration in early education in HISD campuses starting in pre-K. Studies have shown that pre-kindergarten is an important foundation for children to develop literacy, language, and math skills faster than children not in similar programs. These effects persist well into elementary school. HISD hopes to get students registered in school for the 2021-2022 school year in early grades, from pre-K to second grade.
Continue readingAs the sound of drums reverberated off the walls of the lobby at Sterling Aviation High School, Nurse Veronica Myers instantly knew this wasn’t going to be a typical morning.
As she was cheered on by that school’s cheerleading squad, Myers was surprised with the Secondary Nurse of the Month award for May. With more than 50 nominations from Sterling’s faculty and staff, Myers was a standout nominee for the recognition.
Continue readingMiguel Garcia thought he was in trouble.
As he heard his name over the all-school announcement at Madison High School on Thursday morning, followed by a “please come to the front office immediately,” Garcia assumed the worst.
But the real reason behind the announcement was that he was named the Achieve 180 Dedicated Associate Teacher of the Month for May.
Continue readingAll HISD schools and administrative offices will be closed on Monday, May 31, 2021, in observance of Memorial Day.
HISD offices and schools will resume normal hours on Tuesday, June 1, 2021.
Never underestimate the influence of your third-grade teacher.
For Charlenette Jones, her third-grade teacher may just be responsible for the $10,000 worth of new furniture she’s about to receive.
Jones, a third-grade teacher herself at Lockhart Elementary School, was named Tuesday as the Ashley Home Store Red Apple Teacher of the Year. She was surprised on Tuesday morning on KHOU’s Great Day Houston. Along with the recognition, she will receive $10,000 to spend at Ashley Home Store.
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