Educators of America are driven to not only supply teachers and educators with the classroom technology they need but also train them to use it in the most effective ways possible. If you are a teacher that is in need of an effective technological tool that will assist in bettering student achievement, not only in your classroom but throughout your entire institution, take the time to fill out our grant application. Our classroom technology grant applications are reviewed on a quarterly basis and responses are given accordingly (January, April, July, October).
Author Archives: HCDE Communications
Calendar – June 2021
Moving beyond the conversations, School Equity Bootcamp: Restorative Tactics, Strategies, and Operations, will provide school leaders with tools to positively influence school safety and culture for students. Participants will engage in a 4-day training series to create the conditions where all students feel supported, a strong sense of belonging, and can thrive and seek opportunities. These sessions include evidence-based and evidence-driven frameworks to drive authentic and meaningful implementation through equitable policies.
Basic and Advanced Digital Threat Assessment (DTA) Training is presented by Safer Schools Together (SST) which was established in 2008 and is recognized internationally for its leadership, innovation, and evidence-informed strategies to ensure safe, caring, and trauma-informed school communities. SST’s team of highly skilled professionals provide expertise, consultation and support to educators, law enforcement and other service providers across North America in addressing student, school, and community student safety-related concerns. SST helps school communities minimize and manage risks of student violence with reliable, professional training. Using best practice from the field of Behavioral Threat Assessment, school communities learn how to collect data and “connect the dots” to ensure early identification of youth at risk of harm to themselves or others and the interventions necessary to prevent needless tragedy, violence, and trauma.
The Link Reads
All teachers–including career and technical education (CTE) teachers–play a vital role in building a thriving PLC. In this practical resource, the authors explicitly outline how to improve teaching and learning by integrating PLC best practices into CTE programs. Teams of CTE educators will learn how to clarify their purpose, discover their common denominators, and incorporate powerful collaborative processes into their daily work.
Use this resource to learn the vital strategies necessary for building and improving teams:
• Become familiar with the common issues that prevent CTE educators from engaging in the collaborative PLC process.
• Learn why and how the PLC process benefits both CTE educators and students.
• Learn how CTE educators can create collaborative programs that are tailored toward CTE fields of study.
• Receive professional guidance and concrete, achievable teaching strategies for creating an effective PLC process.
• Access a checklist of crucial action steps for career tech teams at the end of each chapter
A Profile in Success
In this issue, we would like to recognize Shelancia Daniel, M.Ed., Executive Director of Creativity Shell. The Creativity Shell is a nonprofit organization that teaches classes such as sewing/textile arts, cooking, building and other creative trades to students in their private studios, libraries, schools, ABA therapy centers, the juvenile justice system as well as shelters that rescue children from homelessness and human trafficking. All of their classes are designed to teach children essential life and practical skills.
Using Creativity to Address Youth Mental Health Awareness Month: May 1 – 31, 2021
Many would agree, the COVID pandemic was a surreal experience. Within a matter of weeks, the world as we knew it was different. Adjusting to the new normal was a struggle for both introverts and extroverts alike. When one side agreed on A, the other was adamant to agree on B. One of the hardest struggles was the battle between in-person and remote learning.
Preventing Trauma and Youth Suicide During COVID-19 and Beyond
HCDE’s Center for Safe and Secure School partners with Mental Health America of Greater Houston (MHAGH) to offer Youth Mental Health First Aid training.
MHAGH “works with 28 school districts, representing nearly 100 schools from throughout the greater Houston region to 1) identify and implement best practices to empower school personnel with the knowledge they need to prevent mental illness among students and to ensure early identification and intervention for those exhibiting signs and symptoms of behavioral health concerns; 2) Helps schools to create trauma-informed environments to address adverse childhood experiences that are linked to health outcomes in both childhood and adulthood” (MHAGH 2021). MHAGH reports that in Texas, there is 1 school counselor for every 450 students. Nearly 2x the number recommended by the national association of school counselors. In Houston ISD there is only 1 counselor for every 1,604 students. Given this context MHAGH believes that a school-based system of care is essential.
COVID Has Been Rough on Kids. From Clinginess to Self-Harm, Here’s How to Help.
Harris County Department of Education’s Center for Safe and Secure Schools works closely with Mental Health America of Greater Houston in efforts to offer Youth Mental Health First Aid training to teachers and administrators.
This article addresses how badly the COVID-19 pandemic has affected kids’ mental health? According to the article, Mental Health America of Greater Houston recently held “listening sessions” with students, parents, teachers and administrators in the 28 Houston-area school districts that work with its Center for School Behavioral Health — and what they heard was alarming. Dr. Jamey Freeny, the center’s director, shares ways that parents and other adults can help kids who are struggling.