Hundreds of parents and students gathered on Tues., June 25, to learn more information about the scheduled annexation of North Forest schools into the Houston Independent School District. The Texas Education Commissioner has ordered HISD to annex North Forest ISD on July 1. To make the transition as smooth as possible, HISD is holding a series of community meetings. The final meeting will be held on Thurs., June 27, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Eden Event Center, 7540 N. Wayside.
Tag Archives: teachers
Team HISD extends teacher application deadline
Because of the overwhelming response and interest in teaching positions for the 2013-14 school year, we have decided to extend our spring application deadline to May 22, 2013.
If you are passionate about teaching and committed to boldly impacting student achievement, we urge you to apply for a teaching position with HISD. To get started, simply click here and follow all instructions.
While vacancies exist in all areas, HISD has a high need for instructors with strong backgrounds in the following areas:
- Bilingual teachers — More than 60,000 students in HISD have limited proficiency in English. We’re looking for experienced bilingual teachers who hold their students to high expectations and are passionate about opening doors for English language learners.
- Science, technology, engineering, and math teachers — HISD is actively recruiting STEM teachers who are invested in preparing our students to compete in a 21st century economy. We are filling positions districtwide including those at our two new STEM magnet schools, The Energy Institute High School and the Baylor College of Medicine Academy at Ryan.
Five-thousand dollar incentives are available, while they last, for teachers hired for the 2013-2014 school year to teach in critical shortage areas including: bilingual (Spanish), Spanish, secondary math, secondary science, and special education areas such as autism, life skills, Preschool Program for Children with Disabilities, DeafEd, and behavior support.
HISD Wins Big at HEB Excellence in Education Awards
HEB Houston President Scott McClelland with Fondren ES Principal Mike Walker
Three HISD educators won top honors at the HEB Excellence Awards on May 3, 2013, and brought home a combined total of $75,000 for their schools.
Mike Walker, the principal at Fondren Elementary, received top honors in the elementary principal category. He received a $10,000 prize and a $25,000 grant for his school.
High School for the Visual and Performing Arts Principal R. Scott Allen was also awarded a $10,000 cash prize and a $25,000 grant for his school. “Winning this award speaks volumes to the importance of combining arts with a rigorous education to create well-rounded, successful students,” said Dr. Allen. He plans to use the $25,000 grant to create a yearly scholarship for an at-risk student on his campus.
HISD Job Fair Attracts Over 200 Experienced Teachers to Envision ‘Becoming Great All Over’
More than 200 experienced teachers from across the nation lined up Saturday to learn about HISD job opportunities at an informational session and job fair Saturday at Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center.
Teachers Can Use Exemplar Lessons to Become More Effective In Classroom
Houston ISD teachers have the opportunity to enhance their skills with lesson plans designed with the help of educators in the district.
Teachers can utilize exemplar lessons as models of effective instructional planning based on district planning guides. In addition, as the exemplar lessons were designed for immediate classroom implementation, teachers can use the lessons “as is” or modify the content to meet the needs of their students.
HISD Now Hiring for the 2013-14 School Year!
HISD is now recruiting highly-qualified teachers for the 2013-14 school year to help us fulfill our mission of providing each and every one of our students with an excellent education. Candidates are strongly encouraged to apply online here by the Early Bird application date of January 14, 2013, to have the best chance of securing an early contract for the 2013-14 school year. Continue reading
Team HISD is Hiring – Apply now!
HISD currently has hundreds of openings for motivated teachers who are invested in making an impact on student achievement. Candidates who submit an application by August 13 will be eligible to start teaching in the fall.
While vacancies caused by voluntary resignations and retirements exist in all areas, the highest need for teachers exists in critical shortage areas, including bilingual (Spanish), Spanish, secondary math, secondary science, and special education areas such as Autism, Life skills, Preschool Program for Children with Disabilities, DeafEd, and Behavior Support.
Teachers in HISD are committed to holding themselves to high expectations, and they believe without a doubt that every child can learn. These sentiments are shared by HISD 2011-12 Teacher of the Year honoree Ashley Monteil. “HISD is a district willing to implement innovative programs to affect student outcomes in a positive way,” said Monteil, who teaches second-grade and fourth-grade students at Lyons Elementary school. We set high expectations at HISD and we’re concerned with the success of every single student. It’s an exciting time for education right now, in Houston and nationally. If you are passionate about opening doors to kids, I couldn’t think of a greater opportunity.”
The annual teacher salary at HISD begins at $44,987, and salary offers depend on educational credentials and prior work experience. HISD offers a comprehensive benefits package to teachers, including medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance, flexible spending account options, and vacation time.
By filling out one application, applicants gain access to a network of nearly 300 diverse schools looking for qualified, experienced teachers. Candidates must have a Bachelor’s degree, hold valid Texas teaching certification (or reciprocal out-of-state certification), and pass a background check. We are committed to diversity in our hiring and employment practices and encourage all qualified candidates to apply.
We believe that an effective teacher in every HISD classroom is our city’s best chance for a bright future. To apply to teach with HISD, please visit HISD’s Teacher Recruitment page by clicking here.
HISD Board of Education Approves Raises for Teachers, Staff
All Houston ISD teachers will receive 2-percent pay raises under the district’s 2012-2013 budget that includes pay increases for all staff without increasing the property tax rate.
The Houston Independent School District Board of Education adopted the budget Thursday on a unanimous vote. Trustees Lawrence Marshall, Harvin Moore, and Manuel Rodriguez Jr. were absent.
In September, all Houston ISD employees will receive pay increases ranging from 1.75 percent to 2.25 percent under the budget approved on Thursday.
HISD’s non-teaching staff last received a pay raise in 2009-2010, and some, but not all, teachers received a raise in 2010-2011. No employees received raises during the 2011-2012 school year. Dr. Grier said the pay increases are necessary to remain competitive with surrounding Houston-area school districts that have already proposed doing so.
All teachers will receive a 2 percent pay raise.
Other employee groups will receive the following salary increases:
- Principals, assistant principals and deans: 2 percent
- School bus operators, hourly food services employees, and salaried departmental employees on the lower end of the pay scale: 2.25 percent
- Substitute teachers and other hourly employees: 2.25 percent
- Professional employees and upper-level administrators: 1.75 percent
Click here to view the board approved 2012-13 teacher salary schedule. Click here to view a Frequently Asked Questions document about teacher salary schedules.
Other salary schedules can be found at the following links: technology employees, principals, assistant principals and deans, hourly master salary schedule, and the master salary schedule.
Employees with questions about the new salary schedules may submit them via email to compensationdept@houstonisd.org.
Addressing state funding cuts
The $1.58 billion budget addresses the loss of $47.1 million in state funding with $8.9 million from the district’s savings account, which currently stands at about $257 million.
The Texas Legislature’s decision to cut public education funding by $5.4 billion statewide cost HISD schools $125.1 million over a two-year period. Because of these cuts, the state now pays 21 percent of HISD’s budget, compared to 26 percent a year ago. The amount of HISD’s revenue that comes from local tax dollars now totals 79 percent.
About $17 million of the shortfall caused by the cut in state funding will be covered by reducing the amount of general fund money that is normally transferred to HISD’s debt service fund to help repay loans at a faster rate than is required. This reduction is a one-time option that will not be available in future years.
HISD has also identified several areas of decreased spending for the upcoming school year. These include:
- $7 million in reduced employee health and unemployment insurance costs.
- $5.5 million less for bilingual and special education programs. This is a result of the declining number of HISD students identified for bilingual and special education services.
- $5 million less in ASPIRE performance awards.
- $2.5 million in non-campus departmental cuts, primarily through departmental consolidations and layoffs. Last year, HISD eliminated 221 non-campus positions.
Although the board will not adopt a property tax rate until later this year, Superintendent Terry Grier intends to recommend that HISD maintain the current tax rate, which is the lowest of any school district in Harris County. Last week, the Board of Education agreed to continue granting an optional 20 percent homestead exemption in addition to the standard $15,000 exemption that homeowners across the state receive.
HISD Seeks Exceptional Teachers to Help Struggling Students Over the Summer
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225 prospective teachers came out to the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center on Tuesday for HISD’s Summer School Job Fair. 25 secondary schools interviewed teachers to provide support for 9th and 12th grade students who will be required to re-take the STAAR End of Course exams or the Exit Level TAKS. Students must pass these exams to get their diplomas.
HISD Superintendent Terry Grier Thanks Teachers for their Contributions in the Classroom
Houston Independent School District Superintendent Terry Grier personally called some of HISD’s most effective educators on Friday to thank them for their hard work this school year.
The teachers were all identified as highly effective educators under HISD’s new teacher appraisal and development system. HISD recently launched the Effective Teacher Initiative to transform the way the district recruits, trains, evaluates, and recognizes teachers. Through the program, educators are now receiving valuable feedback that will help them improve their instruction in the classroom.
Dr. Grier says the new system is helping identify the strongest teachers and puts HISD closer to achieving its goal of having an effective teacher in each classroom. “These teachers are the backbone of HISD,” said Dr. Grier. “They believe in their students, hold them to high expectations, and are relentless in their drive to make sure each student is learning. Teaching is extremely tough work and we appreciate the dedication that these teachers show on a regular basis.”
Last May, the Board of Education approved the new appraisal and development system, which appraises teachers on several measures in three performance areas: instructional practice, professional expectations, and student performance.
Dr. Grier has asked the Board of Education to consider approving pay raises ranging from 1.75 percent to 2.25 percent for all staff and teachers next school year.