Interested in Moving to the Head of the Class?

“ Estoy haciendo una dife en mi comunidad y gana buen sueldo. ¿Qué podrí mejor que eso?"

Primaria Gallegos | Mae

Leslie González egresada de HISD y de la Universidad de de los estudiantes de la clase — enseña en la misma escue

Si eres un senior de HISD altamente motivado y estás inte un prestigioso grupo y retribuir a tu comunidad de HISD d impactante, Teach Forward Houston te permitirá obtener forma gratuita en la Universidad de Houston.

Para más información y para registrarte, visita TeachForwa

TEACH FORWARD HOUSTON CAMPAIGN

TEACH FORWARD | OVERVIEW OVERALL THEME: GROW YOUR OWN TEACHERS Teach Forward Houston sprang from the Houston Independent School District’s difficulties recruiting bilingual teachers for dual-language programs and finding top teachers to increase math and reading scores across the district. HISD’s superintendent and two chiefs were involved with a similar program in North Carolina that essentially “grew their own” teachers by recruiting top high school seniors and assisting them with college tuition in return for a commitment to return after graduation and teach in the district. These staff members and the Communications Deptartment identified priorities for teacher development in HISD and researched high-quality teacher preparation programs across the country to determine just what made certain programs successful. Ideally, the program will produce teachers for high-need, low-performing elementary and middle school students, focusing on bilingual education, special education, and reading. HISD officials reached out to the University of Houston College of Education (UHCOE) and formed a partnership. Thus, Teach Forward Houston was created. CAMPAIGN STRATEGIES AND GOALS Teach Forward Houston’s initial campaign strategies and goals • To develop and implement a “grow your own” teacher preparation program that would result in highly effective teachers entering HISD classrooms with a B.S. in teaching and learning to address the needs of students in a large urban school district. • To matriculate a diverse cohort of HISD top-tier graduates into the fellowship who will enter UHCOE in the fall of 2016. • To provide participants with supplemental tuition each year, resulting in fully paid tuition for all four years at UHCOE. • To provide participants with coaching, robust field experiences, professional development, and support from HISD throughout all four years. • To graduate teachers who will have a powerful impact on their communities with the foundational knowledge and skills to maximize student achievement.

ANALYSIS/PLANNING Identifying the Target Audience After careful analysis of Teach Forward Houston’s (TFH) goals and objectives, a team of representatives from HISD’s Human Resources, College Readiness, and Communications departments, as well as representatives from UH, was formed to research similar teacher-recruitment programs across the county, especially Teach for America. They capitalized on best practices that proved successful in those programs to come up with a plan to recruit top-ranked HISD seniors; one of those best practices was to recruit students who felt strongly about giving back to the community where they were educated. The team planned to review class rank, GPA, SAT/ACT scores, extracurricular involvement, work experience, and/or leadership experience but were committed to evaluating prospective fellows holistically. There would be an application essay, letters of recommendation, and interviews, as well as special consideration for first-generation college students and those with free-and-reduced lunch status. Budget/Resource Allocation HISD committed $1 million in tuition each year to supplement the financial aid package this first TFH cohort would receive from various scholarships, including FAFSA. A college success manager joined the team to serve as recruitment liaison and visit 40 HISD high schools to give presentations to students on Teach Forward Houston. The manager would also lead three parent information sessions and host tables at all district and area college fairs. COMMUNICATION/IMPLEMENTATION The team turned next to marketing TFH to students and their parents, as well as high school college counselors and principals/teachers who would assist with recruitment. The team knew it was critical to find a first-year teacher who had graduated from HISD and UHCOE, and then returned to the elementary school she had attended to teach. This was a true challenge, because there were no current students in the TFH program, but Human Resources proved invaluable in finding the perfect first-year teacher. The team met extensively with College Access Coordinators from HISD high schools to determine what they thought would work to persuade students to apply. With this data in hand, the team formulated the strategies that were used in the communications plan. They also capitalized on the college coordinators’ access to to students to deliver pertinent information about the Teach Forward Houston program.

TEACH FORWARD | OVERVIEW MEDIA USED AND TIME FRAME Fall 2015 – Created the following in both English and Spanish: • Logo and letterhead • Website http://www.houstonisd.org/teachforwardhouston with key information and dates; application portal; contact info (custom email); link to UHCOE; FAQ; inspiring photos, and video: https:// www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Uj2ziFTK5A • Marketing collateral: printed postcards and posters for all high schools • Recruitment materials: PowerPoint, information cards, FAQ, two retractable banners, tablecloth, and branded giveaways (t-shirts, bags, cell phone stick-on cardholders, etc.)

December 2015 • TFH recruitment letter mailed to parents of HISD students in the top 20 percent of their class • One-pager for informational purposes, including informing staff about TFH • Teacher email blast regarding TFH and student letter to be distributed by counselors

January – February 2016 • TFH Press release sent out, including information on three informational parent sessions • Story on HISD website and HISD employee and community electronic newsletters • Text messages and email reminders to students with incomplete applications • Postings on HISD’s social media channels, including Twitter and Facebook • Promotional stories on UH Education page, in UH newspaper The Cougar, Urban Educator, Houston Chronicle, Houston Business Journal, Hispanic Houston, Telemundo, etc. • Began interviewing potential TFH fellows March – April 2016 • Planned and held “Signing Day,” where TFH fellows signed letters of commitment

RESULTS The goal was to matriculate a diverse cohort of HISD top-tier graduates into TFH scheduled to begin their education at UH in the fall of 2016 and provide them with top quality professional development and coaching while in school. More than 200 HISD students applied to the program and were interviewed in person and online. Consequently, some 60 seniors from 31 HISD high schools were accepted into the program and pledged to become teachers in HISD for a minimum of four years. HISD staff has continued to work with the UH College of Education to develop curriculum and provide professional development, coaching, field experiences, and support strategies during their freshman year. For a follow-up story on the HISD website regarding signing day last May, see link here. Plans call for recruiting a second cohort of Teach Forward Houston fellows, who will enter the University of Houston College of Education in September 2017.

TEACH FORWARD | FAQ FLIER

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS What is the Teach Forward Houston program? Teach Forward Houston is a ground-breaking and prestigious fellowship developed in partnership by the forward-thinking leaders of Houston Independent School District and University of Houston. Together, we are working to ensure our schools are staffed with highly effective teachers who have a vested interest in improving their community through education. The fellows of Teach Forward Houston will earn a BS in teaching and learning at the University of Houston, and ultimately return to their communities for at least four years as a classroom teacher and instructional leader on the front lines of education. W hat makes Teach Forward Houston different from the traditional Bachelor of Science in Teaching and Learning degree program at UH College of Education? UH College of Education is in the top five teacher-preparation programs nationwide and has a robust teaching and learning program, making them an ideal partner for this work. Teach Forward Houston is building on this strong foundation by adding the following components: • Tuition assistance • Increased opportunities to develop and practice instructional skills • Academic support through all four years of college • An extensive coaching model during years one and two of teaching • An increased focus on building the knowledge, skills, and mindset needed to effectively teach in a large urban district • Summer internship opportunities and a full year of teacher-residency experience • The support of an ever-growing cohort of HISD graduates destined to return to HISD to teach W hy should I be interested in this program? If you are interested in attending a Tier 1 university, need help with tuition, and are interested in giving back to your community, this is the perfect program for you. You will be part of a prestigious fellowship earning a BS in Teaching and Learning at UH while also earning elementary teacher certification. In addition, Teach Forward Houston fellows will receive coaching, mentoring, and support throughout the program and during their first two years in the classroom, as well as additional professional development opportunities during their third and fourth years. How many fellows will be accepted to the program in the fall of 2016? There will be 100 candidates accepted into the program beginning in the fall of 2016. What financial assistance will I receive? HISD will supplement your college tuition costs up to 100 percent, ensuring that you will be able to attend UH at no cost to you or your family. However, all applicants are required to complete the FAFSA/TAFSA application by March 1, 2016, or earlier. Please note that housing, food, and cost of books are not included in tuition. W hen does the program begin? Teach Forward Houston begins in the summer of 2016 with a mandatory week-long orientation followed by enrollment at UH in the fall of 2016.

TeachForwardHouston.org

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Rudy C. Vara Center For Technology 4400 W 18th St, Houston, Texas, 77092

E [email protected] T 713.967.5294 x346

PREGUNTAS FRECUENTES ¿QUÉ ES TEACH FORWARD HOUSTON? Teach Forward Houston es un innovador y prestigioso programa desarrollado por líderes visionarios del Distrito Escolar Independiente de Houston y de la Universidad de Houston. Juntos, estamos trabajando para asegurarnos de que nuestras escuelas cuenten con maestros altamente eficaces que tienen un interés en mejorar su comunidad mediante la educación. Los becarios de Teach Forward Houston obtendrán una licenciatura en Ciencias de la Educación y Aprendizaje de la Universidad de Houston, para luego regresar a sus comunidades por al menos cuatro años, como maestros y líderes de instrucción al frente de la educación en sus comunidades. ¿QUÉ DIFERENCIA HAY ENTRE TEACH FORWARD HOUSTON Y EL PROGRAMA TRADICIONAL DE ENSEÑANZA Y APRENDIZAJE DE LA FACULTAD DE EDUCACIÓN DE LA UNIVERSIDAD DE HOUSTON? La Facultad de Educación de la Universidad de Houston se encuentra entre los mejores 5 programas de preparación de maestros a nivel nacional y tiene un sólido programa de enseñanza y aprendizaje, lo cual lo convierte en un socio ideal para esta labor. Teach Forward Houston está apoyándose en esta base firme para elaborar un programa que además cuenta con los siguientes componentes: • Asistencia con el costo de matrícula • Más oportunidades para desarrollar y practicar las habilidades de instrucción • Apoyo académico durante los cuatro años de estudio • Un modelo de preparación extensivo durante los dos primeros años de enseñanza • Mayor enfoque en cimentar el conocimiento, las habilidades, y la ideología que se necesita para poder enseñar de forma efectiva en un distrito escolar urbano grande. • Oportunidades para pasantías profesionales durante el verano y un año completo de experiencia como residente docente • El apoyo de un creciente grupo de egresados de HISD, destinados a regresar a enseñar dentro de HISD. ¿POR QUÉ DEBERÍA INTERESARME EN ESTE PROGRAMA? Si te interesa asistir a una universidad de 1er. nivel, necesitas ayuda para cubrir los costos de matrícula y estás interesado en hacer algo por tu comunidad, este programa es perfecto para ti. Serás parte de un prestigioso grupo becario que quiere obtener una Licenciatura en Ciencias de la Educación y Aprendizaje en la Universidad de Houston, y a la vez obtendrás una certificación de maestro de primaria. Además, los participantes de Teach Forward Houston recibirán preparación, capacitación y apoyo a lo largo del programa y durante los dos primeros años dentro del salón de clases; así como oportunidades adicionales de capacitación profesional durante el tercer y cuarto año. ¿CUÁTOS PARTICIPANTES SERÁN ACEPTADOS EN EL PROGRAMA EN EL OTOÑO DE 2016? Se aceptarán 100 candidatos a este programa empezando en el otoño de 2016. ¿QUÉ TIPO DE AYUDA FINANCIERA RECIBIRÉ? HISD complementará los costos de tu matrícula universitaria hasta un 100 por ciento, asegurando que puedas asistir a la UH sin costo para ti o tu familia. Sin embargo, se requiere que todos los solicitantes completen la solicitud de FAFSA/TAFSA a más tardar el 1 de marzo de 2016. Por favor toma en cuenta que los costos de vivienda, alimentos y libros no son parte de la matrícula. ¿CUÁNDO INICIA EL PROGRAMA? Teach Forward Houston inicia el verano de 2016 con una orientación obligatoria de una semana, seguido por la matriculación en la UH para el otoño de 2016.

TeachForwardHouston.org

Rudy C. Vara Center For Technology 4400 W 18th St, Houston, Texas, 77092

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E [email protected] T 713.967.5294 x346

TEACH FORWARD | POSTCARDS

“I’m in my community making a difference and earning a great salary. What could be better than that?”

“ Estoy haciendo una diferencia en mi comunidad y ganando un buen sueldo. ¿Qué podría ser mejor que eso?”

Leslie Gonzalez Primaria Gallegos | Maestra Bilingüe de Primer Grado

Leslie Gonzalez Gallegos Elementary | First Grade Bilingual Teacher HISD and University of Houston graduate Leslie Gonzalez is now at the head of the class — teaching students at the same elementary school she attended. If you are a highly motivated HISD senior interested in joining a prestigious fellowship and giving back to the HISD community in a high-impact way, Teach Forward Houston will allow you to earn free college tuition to the University of Houston. For more information and to apply, visit TeachForwardHouston.org.

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Leslie González egresada de HISD y de la Universidad de Houston está ahora al mando de los estudiantes de la clase — enseña en la misma escuela primaria donde ella asistió. Si eres un senior de HISD altamente motivado y estás interesado en formar parte de un prestigioso grupo y retribuir a tu comunidad de HISD de una manera altamente impactante, Teach Forward Houston te permitirá obtener la matrícula universitaria de forma gratuita en la Universidad de Houston. Para más información y para registrarte, visita TeachForwardHouston.org.

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TEACH FORWARD | POSTERS

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TEACH FORWARD | POP-UP BANNERS

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TEACH FORWARD | ONE-PAGER

OVERVIEW

Teach Forward Houston is a groundbreaking and prestigious fellowship developed in a partnership between the forward-thinking leaders of the Houston Independent School District and the University of Houston. Together, we are working to ensure our schools are staffed with highly effective teachers who have a vested interest in improving their community through education. The fellows of Teach Forward Houston will earn a Bachelor of Science in Teaching and Learning at the University of Houston, ultimately returning to the HISD community for four years as a classroom teacher and instructional leader on the front lines of education.

“I’m in my community making a difference and earning a great salary. What could be better than that?”

— Leslie Gonzalez

Gallegos Elementary | First Grade Bilingual Teacher

To afford HISD students the opportunity to excel at and graduate from a Tier I university prepared to have a powerful impact on their community as a classroom teacher and leader. Teach Forward Houston teachers will enter HISD classrooms with the foundational knowledge, skills, and mindsets necessary to maximize student achievement and character development. Ultimately, this will ensure that ALL HISD students, regardless of race or socio-economic background, are equipped to succeed in college and life.

CONTACT INFORMATION Visit: www.HoustonISD.org/TeachForwardHouston Contact: [email protected]

ABOUT UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON

The University of Houston’s College of Education prepares graduates to change the world through teaching, leadership, health promotion, counseling, and research. Currently, over 2,600 students pursue more than 30 undergraduate and graduate academic programs, both on campus and online. University of Houston programs exceed national standards for excellence, including accreditation by the National Council of Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and the American Psychological Association (APA). The graduate online programs are ranked #1 in the nation by “US News & World Report.” The university’s undergraduate elementary and secondary teacher preparation programs are ranked in the top five nationwide by the National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ) Teacher Prep Review.

IS THIS THE RIGHT OPPORTUNITY FOR YOU?

Teach Forward Houston is recruiting bright, highly motivated HISD seniors to join this prestigious fellowship. Prospective fellows will be evaluated holistically, considering the following: the prospective fellow is an HISD senior with a good academic record, participation in extracurricular activities and/or service in a leadership role, and a deep desire to give back to their community through education. All prospective fellows must fulfill the admission requirements for University of Houston prior to being accepted into the Teach Forward Houston program.

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Teach Forward Houston es un innovador y prestigioso programa universitario de becas, desarrollado entre líderes innovadores del Distrito Escolar Independiente de Houston y de la Universidad de Houston. Juntos estamos trabajando para asegurar que nuestras escuelas cuenten con personal docente altamente eficaz y con un gran interés personal en mejora su comunidad a través de la educación. Los participantes de Teach Forward Houston obtendrán una licenciatura en enseñanza y aprendizaje de la Universidad de Houston, y finalmente, regresarán a la comunidad de HISD en función de maestros y líderes de instrucción a la vanguardia de la educación, por cuatro años.

“Estoy haciendo una diferencia en mi comunidad y ganando un buen sueldo. ¿Qué podría ser mejor que eso?”

— Leslie Gonzalez

Primaria Gallegos | Maestra Bilingüe de Primer Grado

NUESTRA MISIÓN

OUR MISSION

HOW TO APPLY Apply to University of Houston: www.ApplyTexas.org Apply to Teach Forward Houston: www.HoustonISD.org/TFHapply Complete the FAFSA: https://fafsa.ed.gov/

RESUMEN

Ofrecer a los estudiantes de HISD la oportunidad de sobresalir y graduarse de una universidad de primer nivel y los prepara para tener un alto impacto en su comunidad como maestro y líder. Los maestros de Teach Forward Houston entrarán a los salones de clase de HISD con los conocimientos fundamentales, las habilidades y la mentalidad necesarias para maximizar tanto el rendimiento de los estudiantes cómo el desarrollo de carácter. Por último, esto asegurará que todos los estudiantes de HISD, sin importar su origen étnico o el entorno socioeconómico, estén preparados para tener éxito en la universidad y en la vida.

CÓMO SOLICITAR Cómo solicitar admisión a la Universidad de Houston: www.ApplyTexas.org Cómo solicitar admisión a Teach Forward Houston: www.HoustonISD.org/TFHapply Completa FAFSA: https://fafsa.ed.gov/ INFORMACIÓN Y CONTACTO Visita: www.houstonisd.org/domain/39640 Contacto: [email protected]

SOBRE LA UNIVERSIDAD DE HOUSTON

La Facultad de Educación de la Universidad de Houston, prepara a sus futuros graduandos para que cambien el mundo a través de la docencia, liderazgo, promoción de la salud, asesoría e investigación. Actualmente, más de 2.600 estudiantes están inscritos en uno de los más de 30 programas académicos de pregrado y de posgrado, disponibles tanto en el campus como en línea. Los Programas de la Universidad de Houston exceden los estándares nacionales de excelencia, incluyendo la acreditación por parte del Consejo Nacional de Acreditación de Educación de Maestros (NCATE por sus siglas en inglés), y la Asociación Americana de Psicología (APA). El programa de posgrado en línea están clasificados cómo #1 en la nación por el News & World Report. El programa de licenciatura para preparación de maestros de primaria y secundaria se encuentran entre los mejores 5 programas a nivel nacional, de acuerdo al Teacher Prep Review del National Council on Teacher Quality (NCQT).

¿ES ÉSTA LA OPORTUNIDAD IDEAL PARA TI?

Teach Forward Houston está reclutando alumnos de duodécimo grado de HISD altamente motivados e inteligentes para participar en este prestigioso programa de becas universitarias. Los aspirantes serán evaluados mediante un proceso holístico basado en las siguientes consideraciones: su condición de alumno del duodécimo grado de HISD con una trayectoria académica exitosa, su participación y servicio en actividades extracurriculares y puestos de liderazgo, y su profundo deseo de contribuir a la comunidad mediante la enseñanza. Todos los aspirantes deben cumplir con los requisitos de admisión de la Universidad de Houston para lograr aceptación en el programa Teach Forward Houston.

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