How Houston Teachers Earn an A+
Annual alliantgroup Elementary Science Teacher Award celebrates city’s top instructors
What does it take to be a top science teacher in Houston? Each year, alliantgroup recognizes the type of performance and effectiveness required to earn an A+ as head of the classroom.
The alliantgroup Elementary Science
Teacher Award, offered in partnership with HISD, rewards teachers for going the extra mile – and for making an added investment – in their students. Six finalists were selected in February. A grand prize winner will be announced in April and will receive a $3,500 award, as well as an additional $500 for the classroom. Each of the other five finalists will receive $1,300, plus $500 for their classrooms.
Casey Curry, corporate citizen director at alliantgroup, explained that this is the second year for the award, which recognizes outstanding elementary school science teachers in Houston ISD who spark an interest in discovery and creativity in their students.
Curry explained that teachers are nominated for the award – either by a colleague or by throwing their own hats into the ring. The applicants are then evaluated by an HISD committee, which includes the head of elementary science curriculum and team leaders from each region.
The committee considers best practices in elementary science instruction, creativity in lesson plan design, participation in teacher collaboration and co-facilitation of the January 2020 Elementary Math and Science Summit.
Dhaval Jadav, alliantgroup CEO, said last year’s grand prize winner, Deirdre Ricketts from Stevens Elementary, shines as an example to others in her field.
In fact, Ricketts developed her own
STEAM lab – adding “A” for art in addition to science, technology, engineering and math in STEM.
“She captures the minds of her students with experiments that are fun and tactile like making lava lamps,” Jadav said. “Students are engaged, experimenting and learning on a daily basis. The U.S. is behind when it comes to other countries and their approach to STEM, but not teachers like Deirdre. She is leading the charge to make our country a STEM powerhouse once again”
Teachers are key to opening doors to the scientific world – and showing students the possibilities in their future, Jadav added.
“For many kids, the first time they encounter or participate in science is in a classroom,” he said. “Ask anyone in a STEM career what inspired them, and you will hear that somewhere along the way a teacher was instrumental to their passion for science — without fail.”
Jadav and Donelle Williams, HISD’s director of K-5 Science, offer the following tips to make science exciting:
Start young
Jadav said that exposing children to STEM early on gives them an edge. Not only does it allow them to picture themselves in a STEM career, but it also helps them to develop crucial skills such as executive function, critical thinking, and even financial literacy.
Williams agreed. She says STEM learning fosters the development of creativity, communication, collaboration, and critical thinking skills of 3- and 4-year olds.
“Early-aged learners are born with the idea of ‘indigenous science’ — testing the world around them and formulating probing questions,” she said.
Stay up-to-date on the best learning trends
Williams said staying engaged in professional learning opportunities is crucial for top teachers. “We’re essentially preparing students today for tomorrow,” she said. “The world is changing fast, and if we want our students to be prepared for the future, teaching and learning must be light years ahead.”
Think beyond the classroom
“Great science teachers know that science learning is not confined to brick and mortar buildings,” Williams added. In fact, she said a classroom can be anywhere. That means recognizing all opportunities for learning. She also suggests taking field trips, screening a TED talk or bringing an expert into school who can make science come alive.
Be yourself
Williams said that teachers should be authentic and honest leaders – and continue to be students themselves. “Be in the learning, while you are leading the learning,” she added. “Be the facilitator. Be the questioner. Be the one who sparks students’ interests, thinking and wondering. And let students just be.”
Ignite your passion
Jadav suggests that teachers put themselves in their students’ shoes from time to time and ask, “What would get me fired up to go to science class? Are kids going to get pumped up for a new textbook? Or is there something that is going to make a kid’s eyes light up when they see it and touch it?”
According to Jadav, awardwinning teachers think outside the box, well beyond standardized tests and common lesson plans. This is one of those things that truly make a difference.
“Thinking outside of the norms of teaching and doing things in your classroom that capture the imagination and fuel the passion for STEM is what will get you on your way to winning this award,” he said.
An amazing teacher can make all the difference when it comes to building a lifelong love of STEM subjects, Jadav added.
“The passion, excitement, and energy that our country’s educators bring to their classroom is what ignites the flame for our youth to get excited about STEM,” he said. “We’ve seen the school and after-school teachers explaining that as soon as a student can look in the mirror and see themselves in a lab coat or astronaut uniform, they are hooked. Teachers are the ones who help hold up that mirror.”
Dr. Alma Allen, State Representative District 131, has been a passionate advocate for education throughout her career. She believes that great teachers are essential to the nation’s future.
Allen said recognizing teachers for their work is equally important. “Teachers are human too,” she said. “They need to be valued, appreciated and praised for the work that they do. Teachers make the world go ‘round. None of us would be where we are if it were not for a great teacher that encouraged us to reach our full potential.”
Vote for People’s Choice Award!
You can help recognize the best elementary science teacher in Houston by casting your vote for the winner of the alliantgroup Houston ISD Elementary Science Teacher People’s Choice Award. In an effort to support our local restaurants, the People’s Choice Award winner gets to select a $100 gift certificate to the Greater Houston
Area restaurant of their choice. Just head over to the Houston Chronicle’s Facebook page https://www. facebook.com/chroncom/