WEATHER ALERT
24 Houston-area teachers among 60 new names under investigation in certification cheating scandal
Read full article: 24 Houston-area teachers among 60 new names under investigation in certification cheating scandalKPRC 2 has obtained a new list from the Texas Education Agency that contains the names of 60 new Texas educators who are currently under investigation in a teacher-certification cheating scheme that allowed unqualified teachers to work in local school districts.
โA career killerโ: Teachers unionโs attorney weighs-in on teachers being charged and convicted in certification scandal
Read full article: โA career killerโ: Teachers unionโs attorney weighs-in on teachers being charged and convicted in certification scandalThe alleged scheme, reportedly worth over a million dollars, involved falsifying credentials to secure teaching positions for individuals who did not meet certification requirements, according to the district attorneyโs office.
KPRC 2 obtains list of Houston-area teachers under investigation in certification cheating scandal
Read full article: KPRC 2 obtains list of Houston-area teachers under investigation in certification cheating scandalKPRC 2 has obtained the Texas Education Agencyโs list that contains the names of Houston-area teachers who are currently under investigation in a teacher-certification cheating scheme that allowed unqualified teachers to work in local school districts.
What will happen to teachers who participated in Houston-based, million dollar certification scam?
Read full article: What will happen to teachers who participated in Houston-based, million dollar certification scam?As investigations continue, HISD has promised immediate termination of any fraudulently certified teachers.
More than 800 uncertified teachers started the school year in Houston ISD
Read full article: More than 800 uncertified teachers started the school year in Houston ISDHouston ISD has started the school year with over 800 uncertified teachers, sparking a conversation about the effectiveness and legitimacy of uncertified educators in our schools.
Questions for Houston ISD Superintendent: What do voters want to know about historic $4.4 billion bond proposal?
Read full article: Questions for Houston ISD Superintendent: What do voters want to know about historic $4.4 billion bond proposal?How will you vote on this transformative plan? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
โI brought my kids here because I trust the teachersโ: Fleming teacherโs trust in NES leads to personal change
Read full article: โI brought my kids here because I trust the teachersโ: Fleming teacherโs trust in NES leads to personal changeFleming MS's Januel Plumber, initially skeptical of the New Education System (NES), has experienced a change of heart.
Hardin ISD teacher accused of performing sexual acts with student in his car
Read full article: Hardin ISD teacher accused of performing sexual acts with student in his carOfficials said Jahmall LeโSean Thomas, 39, was a teacher at Hardin ISD and was involved in a relationship with a female student at a Polk County School District.
โNo trust, no bond:โ Teachers union-backed poll claims voters do NOT support Houston ISD bond proposal
Read full article: โNo trust, no bond:โ Teachers union-backed poll claims voters do NOT support Houston ISD bond proposalA research poll conducted on behalf of the Texas Federation of Teachers says less than half of voters support the bond proposal, and less than a quarter have confidence "or don't trust" Superintendent Mike Miles.
We love teachers! Help Houston Life celebrate amazing educators as they head back to school
Read full article: We love teachers! Help Houston Life celebrate amazing educators as they head back to schoolHouston Life and Shell Federal Credit Union are teaming up once again to show some special teachers some love as they head back to the classroom.
Houston ISD board moves forward with termination despite community protests
Read full article: Houston ISD board moves forward with termination despite community protestsMore planned walkouts are scheduled for Friday with students and families protesting the administration's recent decisions to oust long-time staff at several schools. Several parents voiced their opinions at an 8-hour-long school board meeting.
Inside the newly renovated teachersโ lounge at Silverlake Elementary for Teacher Appreciation Week
Read full article: Inside the newly renovated teachersโ lounge at Silverlake Elementary for Teacher Appreciation WeekA look at the newly renovated space the teachers are going to love, plus tips to help you tackle your own projects on a budget.
Pink slip Friday at Houston ISD with jobs being eliminated and changed
Read full article: Pink slip Friday at Houston ISD with jobs being eliminated and changedEmployees whose positions are eliminated or changed will continue in their current position until the end of this fiscal year on June 30, 2024.
CAUGHT ON CAMERA: Cleveland Middle School investigating after teacher seen manhandling student
Read full article: CAUGHT ON CAMERA: Cleveland Middle School investigating after teacher seen manhandling studentAn investigation in underway after a teacher was recorded grabbing and pulling on a young male student at Cleveland Middle School.
HISD offering $85K salaries to teachers hired at โpriority schoolsโ
Read full article: HISD offering $85K salaries to teachers hired at โpriority schoolsโThe Houston Independent School District is promoting incentives including competitive salaries of $85,000, pre-constructed lesson plans and administrative-provided discipline of students to teachers applying to schools under their New Education System.
Fort Bend ISD board approves one-time staff retention, recruitment supplemental payments of up to $1,500
Read full article: Fort Bend ISD board approves one-time staff retention, recruitment supplemental payments of up to $1,500The Fort Bend ISD Board of Trustees approved a resolution authorizing a one-time retention and recruitment supplemental payment to staff members.
Katy ISD calls on voters to approve same tax rate to provide salary increase for teachers; Sen. Bettencourt fires back
Read full article: Katy ISD calls on voters to approve same tax rate to provide salary increase for teachers; Sen. Bettencourt fires backVoters living in the area of Katy Independent School District will soon vote on a tax rate election (TRE.) It would keep the rate the same and the school district says the extra money they gain would help some staffing shortages.
Hundreds of Harmony Public Schools teachers across Houston to receive up to an additional $22K in salary
Read full article: Hundreds of Harmony Public Schools teachers across Houston to receive up to an additional $22K in salaryHarmony Public Schools is proud to announce that 227 teachers in the Greater Houston area are recipients of the Teacher Incentive Allotment, a special fund created to reward the stateโs highest-performing teachers.
Houston area organization gifts teachers $300 gift cards to help prepare for school year
Read full article: Houston area organization gifts teachers $300 gift cards to help prepare for school yearA local organization is helping Houston area teachers with the financial burden of returning to the classroom.
Union sounds alarm on teachers shortages ahead of new school year
Read full article: Union sounds alarm on teachers shortages ahead of new school yearWith the start of a new school year just a few weeks away, districts across the Houston area are scrambling to fill thousands of vacant teaching positions.
Spring Branch ISD approves pay increase, raises starting pay to $62K, district says
Read full article: Spring Branch ISD approves pay increase, raises starting pay to $62K, district saysThe Spring Branch ISD Board of Trustees unanimously approved a 3% pay increase for all employees in the district as part of the $357.5 million budget for the 2023 fiscal year. Trustees also approved starting teacher pay for 2022-2023 of $62,000, the district said in a news release Tuesday.
Katy ISD approves pay increase for teachers, raise starting pay to $60,700, district says
Read full article: Katy ISD approves pay increase for teachers, raise starting pay to $60,700, district saysKaty Independent School District board of trustees approved mid-point pay grade increases of 5% for all district classroom teachers and hourly employees and a 3% raise for all other employees for the 2022-2023 school year.
NOW HIRING: Houston area school districts looking to hire more substitute teachers amid teacher shortage
Read full article: NOW HIRING: Houston area school districts looking to hire more substitute teachers amid teacher shortageKPRC2 sent a poll to area school districts to find out how you can apply to become a substitute teacher, the requirements and the pay.
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โOur district is in serious troubleโ: Wharton ISD teachers concerned about safety after being assaulted by students on campus
Read full article: โOur district is in serious troubleโ: Wharton ISD teachers concerned about safety after being assaulted by students on campusAccording to at least one teacher in Wharton ISD, conditions at the junior high and high school are bad and in danger of getting more out of hand.
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Oak Ridge HS principal apologizes after making remarks students, parents considered racist
Read full article: Oak Ridge HS principal apologizes after making remarks students, parents considered racistSome controversy unfolded at Oak Ridge High School on Thursday during the schoolโs 90s throwback event.
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Some Houston area school districts to allow virtual learning option amid COVID surge, outcry from parents
Read full article: Some Houston area school districts to allow virtual learning option amid COVID surge, outcry from parentsWith the rise in COVID-19 cases and the Delta variant, many parents of school-aged children, especially those who are too young to be vaccinated, are pleading for a virtual learning option.
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HISD to hold board meeting next week to vote on mask mandate, COVID protocols for upcoming school year
Read full article: HISD to hold board meeting next week to vote on mask mandate, COVID protocols for upcoming school yearThe Houston Independent School District will hold a board meeting next week to discuss a possible mask mandate and COVID-19 protocols, according to the superintendent, Millard House II.
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Here is where teachers can get a free oil change and car wash
Read full article: Here is where teachers can get a free oil change and car washFrom now until September 30th, eight Houston area Mazda dealerships are offering free oil changes and car washes to educators, even if you don't drive a Mazda.
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Conroe, Spring ISD preparing for a normal school year amid surge in COVID-19 cases
Read full article: Conroe, Spring ISD preparing for a normal school year amid surge in COVID-19 casesMore than 100,000 students at Spring ISD and Conroe ISD will return to dozens of campuses in person in the coming days without the most obvious COVID-19 protocols.
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Texas bill to ban the teaching of "critical race theory" spiked at the last minute on a technicality
Read full article: Texas bill to ban the teaching of "critical race theory" spiked at the last minute on a technicalityTexas educators worried the bill would have a chilling effect on tough conversations about race and racism. GOP lawmakers said they wanted to ensure teachers' personal biases stay out of their lessons
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Spring Branch ISD teacher on administrative leave after lesson containing racist word
Read full article: Spring Branch ISD teacher on administrative leave after lesson containing racist wordA post circulating on social media in the Spring Branch community has caused concern. Students at Stratford High School in Spring Branch ISD voiced concern over feeling uncomfortable with a class activity by a teacher who officials said is now on administrative leave.
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School districts helping students get back on track during pandemic slide
Read full article: School districts helping students get back on track during pandemic slideThe coronavirus pandemic has had a major impact on the education of students across the country. Now, school districts across the Greater Houston area are laying out their plans to help students get back on track.
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COVID-19 vaccines to be administered inside Galveston Ball HS this week
Read full article: COVID-19 vaccines to be administered inside Galveston Ball HS this weekGALVESTON, Texas โ One of the latest shipments of COVID-19 vaccines will soon be administered inside Galvestonโs Ball High School. The non-profit Teen Health Center operates a clinic at the school and plans to start vaccinating school workers and certain students on Tuesday. โThe Teen Health Center is uniquely qualified to give these vaccines to the staff because we are right in the schools,โ said executive director Angie Brown. The center received 100 doses of the Moderna vaccine last week, but schools were closed for spring break. โTeachers donโt have to take time off of work to go to find a place to make an appointment,โ said Brown.
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Phase 1C eligible for vaccine beginning Monday
Read full article: Phase 1C eligible for vaccine beginning MondayIโm happy that at least we have this chance to get this vaccine,โ said teacher Farha Ahmed. This marks the first time those in the education field were included among the priority groups eligible for the vaccine. About 5,200 people were vaccinated Sunday, according to health officials with Memorial Hermann. The state will expand vaccine eligibility starting Monday for Texans 50 years and older under the 1C phase. People are being more encouraged to get vaccinated,โ said Denise Salazar, who said sheโs been trying to get vaccinated since January.
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HISD recruiting bilingual, math, science and special education teachers
Read full article: HISD recruiting bilingual, math, science and special education teachersHOUSTON โ Houston Independent School District will begin hiring teachers this weekend for the next school year. โWe are focusing on the south Texas region along with the rest of the state,โ said Diana Lum, senior manager of recruitment and selection. โParticularly, we mention the south Texas region because of the need for bilingual teachers. โWeโre not only just looking for bilingual teachers, but weโre also looking for teachers in secondary math and science, and special education, and all other areas,โ Lum said. The school district usually hires around 1,800 teachers a year and thereโs an extra incentive for certain positions.
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Free mental health counseling services offered as teachers face mounting pandemic stress
Read full article: Free mental health counseling services offered as teachers face mounting pandemic stressHOUSTON โ The University of St. Thomas is expanding its โHealing Our Heroesโ initiative by offering free mental health counseling services to teachers. Long term impact of pandemic stress believed to be significantMental health experts believe the long term impact of pandemic stress and fatigue on teachers could be significant. Free sessions available for K-12 teachersThe sessions begin Jan. 11 and are offered Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays during USTโs spring academic semester, which ends in early May 2021. Mental health counseling benefits for teachersDr. Sasse said teachers are so busy helping others, their own needs go unmet. USTโs mental health counseling will give them the support they need.
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Missouri City brothers give back to teachers with a sweet project
Read full article: Missouri City brothers give back to teachers with a sweet projectHOUSTON โ With two books and a baking business under their belts and, Nigel and Shane Mushambi are thriving entrepreneurs. The Missouri City brothers explained to Houston Life how theyโre spreading kindness and gratitude to teachers with a sweet new project called โSweet Compassionโ. #SweetCompassion #2brositk#teamwork #thorntonmiddleschool #teacherareheroestoo #JBDondolo Posted by 2brositk on Wednesday, December 9, 2020โWe created this project to encourage teachers during this time. We just thought a lot of teachers during this time are sacrificing their health and bodies to teach the next generation. Even though they are still young, the Mushambi brothers are used to doing charity work.
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Texas educators pushing for COVID-19 vaccine priority
Read full article: Texas educators pushing for COVID-19 vaccine priorityHOUSTON โ Educators are essential workers and they are looking to get vaccinated. HISD is working with the City of Houston Health Department on vaccine availability for priority groups. The Texas AFT says all educators and support staff should get the vaccine regardless of the different categories. Capo says educators and support staff should be next to get the COVID-19. States have the power to decide who gets the vaccine, and in Texas, teachers are not listed in the 1B category.
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State officials exclude teachers from next vaccination phase, despite CDC suggestion
Read full article: State officials exclude teachers from next vaccination phase, despite CDC suggestionHOUSTON โ The Centers for Disease Control suggested teachers, first responders and other essential workers receive the COVID-19 vaccine next. However, Texas health officials seemed to disagree. Officials announced Monday that the second phase of vaccinations, Phase 1B, will focus on people 65 and older and those with certain chronic medical conditions. Capo said he hopes state officials will make teachers a priority. KPRC2 reached out to the Texas Department of State Health Services and had not received a response.
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Two Houston teachers win $5K for classrooms from #ThankATeacher contest
Read full article: Two Houston teachers win $5K for classrooms from #ThankATeacher contestTwo Houston teachers have been recognized and rewarded for their above-and-beyond efforts. Edwin M. Wells Middle Schoolโs Monica Ciofalo and Clemente Martinez Elementaryโs Leticia Gonzalez were selected as winners of Staplesโ #ThankATeacher contest. โWe heard so many inspirational stories of teachers who have found ways to continue to connect with their students despite the roadblocks theyโve faced. Ciofalo and Gonzalez were both recognized for their contributions to their students. Gonzalez was also awarded for her kind gestures, including gifting her students welcome kits and goodbye gifts.
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HISD teacher who overcame fight from rare cancer named โTeacher of the Monthโ
Read full article: HISD teacher who overcame fight from rare cancer named โTeacher of the MonthโHOUSTON โ Molly Lashway had to put her teaching career on hold while fighting a rare form of cancer. After months of chemotherapy and surgeries, she finally returned to the classroom, taking a job at Houston Independent School District. On Friday, she was recognized as the districtโs โTeacher of the Month.โDrive-By ParadeNot even a pandemic could stop HISD educators from celebrating the districtโs Teacher of the Month. Instead of an assembly, theyโre surprised Lashway, a 5th-grade teacher at Walnut Bend Elementary, with a drive-by parade outside the school. While they were living in D.C., Lashway was diagnosed with and battled a rare form of cancer that sidelined her teaching career for a year.
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Katy ISD to open rapid COVID-19 testing site for employees to help mitigate spread of virus
Read full article: Katy ISD to open rapid COVID-19 testing site for employees to help mitigate spread of virusKATY, Texas The Katy Independent School District announced this week that will open a COVID-19 rapid testing site for its employees to help slow the spread of the virus as students plan to return to class. The testing site will open to district staff only and hours of operation will be from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Heres who can qualify to get tested at this free site:Katy ISD employees potentially exposed to a positive case at work, or outside of workKaty ISD employees qualifying dependents under the Katy ISD Health PlanKaty ISD employees who are uninsured with Katy ISD (no family or spouses)Testing will be based on a first-come, first-serve basis. The testing site will be located at the Agriculture Sciences Center, 5825 Katy Hockley Cut-Off Road. For more information on Katy ISD Staff Resources, click here.
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Cy-Fair ISD community town hall aims to give parents, educators pediatricians a place to voice concerns
Read full article: Cy-Fair ISD community town hall aims to give parents, educators pediatricians a place to voice concernsCYPRESS, Texas โ A virtual town hall organized by community members of the Cy-Fair Independent School District Monday night aims to get parents, educators and mental health experts and doctors all on the same page. Classes for students Cy-Fair ISD will begin Sept. 8 but before that, the community-organized town hall is a way to discuss concerns across the board. Theyโre just not,โ said Tana Lam, a parent with kids in Cy-Fair ISD. She will be part of the community-organized town hall panel along with educators, a state lawmaker, a pediatrician and a psychologist. The hosts of the town hall say they extended invitations to representatives of Cy-Fair ISD, including board trustees and the superintendent but hadnโt heard back.
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Texas Supreme Court rules against Cy-Fair teachers union, ruling teachers must return to work
Read full article: Texas Supreme Court rules against Cy-Fair teachers union, ruling teachers must return to workHOUSTON โ The Texas Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District in a fierce battle between the district and the teachers union over returning to campus for training ahead of the start of the school year. On Friday, a Harris County District Judge granted the Cy-Fair American Federation of Teachers (Cy-Fair AFT) a temporary restraining order, which prevented teachers from being forced to physically be in a school building before Sept. 7. However, per the Supreme Courtโs ruling Sunday, teachers must report to work. We will consider our options in the coming days.โCowart said the teachers union is still concerned and worries about how schools will enforce a mask policy. โFriday was supposed to mark the return to campus for Cy-Fair teachers and staff who were preparing to start the new school year and welcome back kids, until a trial court unlawfully ordered the campus shut down at the request of a teachersโ union.
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Cy-Fair ISD teacherโs union sues district as teachers were required to attend training in person Friday
Read full article: Cy-Fair ISD teacherโs union sues district as teachers were required to attend training in person FridayCYPRESS, Texas โ A Harris County District Court judge granted Cy-Fair American Federation of Teachers a temporary restraining order that states teachers do not have to enter Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School Districtโs school buildings, as the district had required, before Sept. 7. โThis is a win for safety, health and common sense. Nearly 7,800 educators in Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District returned to the districtโs 91 different campuses Friday for professional development training and new teacher orientation, in spite of a plea from the teacherโs union to delay it. The lawsuitThe teacherโs union filed a lawsuit Friday seeking an injunction to halt the school districtโs requirement that all school employees show up to their schools Friday. KPRC 2 reached out to Cy-Fair ISD for comment but district officials said they donโt comment on lawsuits that are pending litigation.
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Fort Bend ISD announces โsignificant staffing issuesโ after teachers opt-out of in-person instruction
Read full article: Fort Bend ISD announces โsignificant staffing issuesโ after teachers opt-out of in-person instructionFORT BEND COUNTY โ A letter from the Fort Bend ISD superintendent was the equivalent of a bombshell for perhaps thousands of parents in the district. On Friday, Dr. Charles Dupre wrote that the district faced โsignificant staffing issuesโ and โmay not be able to offerโ special education programs at campuses. "I think it says that teachers are afraid to come back," said Glenda Guzman Macal, president of the Fort Bend American Federation of Teachers. โTo ask teachers, administrative staff, paraprofessionals, bus drivers, cafeteria workers, admin staff to put their lives at stake,โ she said. "It would be great if some of those jobs can work with those parents to help with the process of keeping and teaching them at home," said Leverne Moore, a grandmother who lives in Fort Bend County.
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Teacherโs sanitizing device becomes popular as educators prepare to head back to class
Read full article: Teacherโs sanitizing device becomes popular as educators prepare to head back to classTake the new foot pump sanitizing station built by teacher Ashley Martinโs husband. Cody made me a foot pump hand sanitizing station for my classroom! Itโs self-standing,โ Martin said. โSo, the kids arenโt touching on something while theyโre waiting to get hand sanitizer. Itโs a self-standing system.โThe sanitizing station is just one example of how educators are finding ways to adapt in the face of the current pandemic.
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One Good Thing: Teachers colorful and creative sidewalk chalk brings joy to neighbors
Read full article: One Good Thing: Teachers colorful and creative sidewalk chalk brings joy to neighborsQUEENS, New York A teacher in Queens, New York is using chalk to uplift the spirits of students at home. Jennifer Marino-Bonventre is drawing sidewalk art. She has recreated characters from several Disney films like Cars, Toy Story and Up. Jennifer is an English teacher -- not an art teacher -- so she was surprised when her art started getting attention. People have dropped off chalk, flowers and even signs to show their gratitude to her talent and for the hope it brings.
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Get to know the Cy-Fair ISD engineering teacher who was named Teacher of the Year for 2020
Read full article: Get to know the Cy-Fair ISD engineering teacher who was named Teacher of the Year for 2020CYPRESS, Texas โ Kathryn Haynes knew that the classroom was her calling as she was given one of the most prestigious awards in Texas education. Haynes, an engineering teacher at Cypress Park High School, was nominated by the Texas Teachers of Tomorrow, a state-accredited program that helps individuals with a bachelorโs degree become certified teachers, according to Cy-Fair ISD in a press release. She was nomitated by Cypress Park Highโs principal and Texas Teachersโ adviser, Chris Heckler. It really means so much to me.โAccording to Texas Teachers of Tomorrowโs website, more than 6,500 teachers completed the certification process and six Texas teachers became finalists. Prior to teaching, Haynes worked as a cosmetologist while completing her biomedical engineering degree and tutored business students on the side.
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JOB ALERT: Katy ISD is hosting a virtual job fair to fill 230 teaching positions
Read full article: JOB ALERT: Katy ISD is hosting a virtual job fair to fill 230 teaching positionsAnyone interested can register for the districtโs Virtual Teacher Job Fair on May 4 and 5 and virtual interviews will be held from May 6 through 8. At this time, the Katy ISD Virtual Job Fair is only for teaching positions. Complete a current Katy ISD application online by visiting the Job Postings webpage. Probationary certificates for which the applicant has applied and paid, and the university/program has recommended will be accepted for the registration to Katy ISD Virtual Job Fair. If you have questions, you can contact the Katy ISD Human Resources Department at HRInquiries@KatyISD.org.
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Kingwood teacher embraces TikTok videos to engage with students
Read full article: Kingwood teacher embraces TikTok videos to engage with studentsKINGWOOD โ TikTok videos are the latest Intenet craze. A sixth-grade teacher, Tricia Zinnecker, is using the social media platform to connect with her students at Creekwood Middle School in Kingwood. "In my mind, I kept hearing stay in your lane, stay in your lane, but then I made my first TikTok. She said the TikTok videos provide a chance to do more than send assignments and conduct lectures on Zoom. Here are some of Zinneckerโs popular TikTok videos: