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In tonight's episode 'The Citizenry' we roasted a threatening letter delivered anonymously to co-host Scott M. Graves during his on-going bid for city councilor at-large in the city of Gardner, MA.   http://www.smg4gardner.com Learn more regarding Scott M. Graves Seriously y'all, if you're going to send threatening anonymous letters to a candidate you definitely get your point across when you type it up in 16 point ‘Angry Ol' White Guy on Facebook, All-Caps' font and pepper the tome in misspellings. We had some great fun at the expense of, ‘The Citizen-ry' and thank this selfless defender of democracy for pointing out our co-host, as a former jazz musician has a history of short-lived ‘jobes' in various industries. Who knew.  Sandwiched in between the tales from a local election we interviewed local candidate for school committee Tim Markey.  Tim is a life-long resident of our city and a long-time educator vying for his first crack at elected office.  https://www.timmarkey.com. View Tim's campaign website We all spoke on the importance of door to door canvassing to our democracy, what it means to be a servant of your neighbors and what our education system is getting right and what could be improved.   We hope you enjoy the laughs and we hope you find take-aways to take to your community's local elections. Democracy lives or dies in your backyard. 

Superintendent HD Chambers speaks with Dr. Alvia Baldwin (Alief ISD Director of Guidance and Counseling) and Chrysaundra Tanner, LCSW-S (Alief ISD Mental Health Facilitator) about the challenges adults and children are facing during the COVID-19 pandemic and how to emerge positively post-pandemic.

In this episode of ImpactED, Superintendent HD Chambers speaks with Kavita Tewary (Executive Director of Sewa International - Houston Chapter) and Dee Jones (Alief ISD Business and Community Partnership Coordinator) about the vital role the organization plays in the Alief community in providing food, donations, mentoring, tutoring and newcomer assistance programs.

In this episode of ImpactED, the official podcast of Alief ISD, Superintendent HD Chambers speaks with Kathy Jahn (Executive Director of Curriculum and Instruction) and Mari Martinez (Early Childhood Coordinator) about the potential learning losses of incoming Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten students. They discuss the importance of socio-emotional learning and oral language development at that critical stage in early childhood education and how outreach like the Virtual Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten Round-Up aims to help prospective families with understanding the urgent need of getting our youngest learners enrolled and engaged.

In this episode of ImpactED, Superintendent HD Chambers speaks with Katherine Cheng, EVP, Houston Event Planning and Bin Yu, Chair, Asian Chamber of Commerce. They discuss the impacts of COVID-19's origin on the Asian community, race relations and how Alief's Asian community persevered through the pandemic with the help from diverse customers.

In this episode of ImpactED, the official podcast for Alief ISD, Superintendent HD Chambers speaks with Dr. Eric Boerwinkle, Dean of UTHealth School of Public Health. They have an in-depth conversation about the COVID-19 pandemic, new variants and the amazing advances in science that assisted in creating a vaccine in record time.

In this episode of ImpactED, Superintendent HD Chambers speaks with Dr. David Callender, president and CEO of Memorial Herman Health System. They discuss local health authorities and its assistance in guiding our school systems to ensure a healthy learning environment for students.

In this episode of ImpactED, Superintendent HD Chambers speaks with Dr. Maria Rivera, Nutrition and Chronic Disease Prevention Physician at Harris County Public Health. They have an in-depth conversation about the COVID-19 pandemic and how schools have been able to operate safely during the pandemic as well as the role that Harris County Public Health plays in communities and the vaccines that are now available.

During the Spring of 2020, prior to district closures, Superintendent HD Chambers sat down in the studio with Richard Torres (Alief ISD Director of Transportation) and Ron Scroggins (Alief ISD Bus Driver). They touched on various transportation topics, including the changing landscape of school bus transportation, enhanced bus safety measures, why school bus driver shortages remain a problem, and the continued importance of each Transportation staff member, who are often the first and last district employee a student will see each day.

Prior to district closures last spring, Superintendent HD Chambers sat down with Bobby Goetsch (Center for Advanced Careers teacher) and Keneth Lopez (Hastings High School student) in the sound booth to discuss the importance of the constantly-evolving field of Digital Design.

Prior to district closures last spring, Superintendent HD Chambers sat down with Barbara Quattro (chair of the Alief Super Neighborhood Council), Amenda Abi Saab (former Youngblood student and current O'Donnell student) and Erin Gilbert (Youngblood Intermediate School teacher) to discuss the impact of the Alief Community Garden. They discuss how the community came together to develop the garden on the district plot and how Youngblood uses it as an interactive and fun outdoor classroom.

During the 2019-2020 school year prior to district closures, Superintendent HD Chambers discussed Action Based Learning (ABL) and the importance of movement in an academic setting with Alief ISD Wellness Coordinator Kelley Sullivan and ABL Facilitators Leslie DeRuiter, Cheryl Williams and Courtney Grass. From improved student performance to decreased behavioral issues, they discuss the science behind ABL and why it works.

Prior to district closures during the Spring 2020 semester, Lisa Descant (Chief Executive Officer for Communities In Schools of Houston), Syble Ned (CIS Student Support Manager at Klentzman Intermediate School) and Dr. Alvia Baldwin (Alief ISD Director of Guidance & Counseling) sat down with Superintendent HD Chambers to discuss the significance of Communities in Schools of Houston (CIS) in Alief ISD schools. They discuss the importance of CIS's integrated student supports and core services and how the partnership positively impacts students at all grade levels.

Prior to last school year's district closures, Rayne Donahue (Mata Intermediate School student), Jasmine Gonzalez (Elsik High School student) and Jeanette Byrd (Cummings Elementary School principal) sat down in the studio to discuss how students of all ages can give back to the community in various impactful ways.

This week on EdHeads Chelsie and Dan discuss whether students and teachers should be required to get vaccinated. Should public schools and universities have a mask mandate? Plus additional thoughts on schools opening this fall.

During the 2019-2020 school year, Superintendent HD Chambers visited with Oralia Rios-Williams (5Works Executive Director) and Baohan Phi (Alief Taylor High School graduate and current University of Houston College of Education student) on the significance of the COMET Program, a district initiative started by the superintendent. This initiative, which provides after school enrichment to elementary students in both apartment-based sites and school-based sites, has been supported by community organizations, the district, as well as an army of trained high school volunteers. Many of these volunteers return to the district to serve as certified educators or instructional support staff. They discuss what makes this program unique and the joys of teaching, and even learning from, some of our youngest learners.

Prior to district closures, Superintendent HD Chambers sat down in the studio with Deborah Nichols (CIS Student Support Manager at Outley Elementary School), Angela Loving (Houston Food Bank School Programs Coordinator) and Dee Jones (Alief ISD Business and Community Partnership Coordinator). The district partners with the Houston Food Bank on various initiatives, including the Backpack Buddy Program, Teachers Aid Program and School Market. They discuss the lasting impact of those initiatives on students, staff and families.

Earlier this school year prior to district closures, Superintendent HD Chambers sat down in the studio to discuss workforce readiness with Vivian Vo (Elsik High School Auto Tech Program student), Will Diaz (Alief ISD Auto Tech Program graduate and owner of Engineuity Autowerks) and Julian Mendoza (Alief ISD Auto Tech Program graduate and current Hastings High School Automotive Technology teacher). They dive into the changing Auto Tech industry, the different rewarding job opportunities in the job sector and the importance of the Auto Tech Program in preparing students for the evolving workforce.

Kathy Jahn (Executive Director of Curriculum and Instruction) and Pam Lowe (Director of Digital Learning) call into the studio to discuss the Alief Learns platform with Superintendent HD Chambers. They discussed how parents, students and educators will access instructional materials to avoid a slide in what students have learned in the 2019-2020 school year.

HD Chambers and Ava Montgomery (Alief ISD Deputy Superintendent of Instruction) provide an update on how Alief ISD is tackling various issues as schools remain closed. They discuss staffing, salaries, curbside pick-up meals, digital learning, expectations for parents and for staff, and events such as the Class of 2020 graduation ceremonies and prom.

Superintendent HD Chambers sits down with Board President Ann Williams and Director of Public Relations Kimberly Smith to discuss Alief ISD's virtual learning plans in the event of extended school closures.

Shanceler Terry (Alief ISD Family and Community Engagement Program Coordinator), Laura Escamilla (Lead Family Liaison) and Yadira Campos (Alief ISD family member and district volunteer) sat down with Superintendent HD Chambers to discuss the increasing importance of families to be actively engaged in their children's lives from an early age.

Superintendent HD Chambers chat with Joseph Burke (President of Junior Achievement of Southeast Texas), Jennifer Baker (Alief ISD CTE Director), Brian Santos (Youngblood Intermediate School student), Zahra White (Youngblood Intermediate School student) and Pam Parrish (Youngblood Intermediate School interventionist). They discuss the impact of Junior Achievement's programs on Alief ISD students, specifically focusing on Biztown, a simulated city where students serve as active, productive citizens of their simulated town.

Alief ISD is a strong supporter of meaningful relationships with community partners. Superintendent HD Chambers sat down to discuss the different partnerships with Pastor Parris Patrick (Agape Bible Church and Alief Coalition for the Homeless) and Alief ISD's Dee Jones (Business and Community Partnership Coordinator) and Demetria West (Hastings Ninth Grade Center counselor).

Charles Woods (Alief ISD Deputy Superintendent of Business Services) visits with Superintendent HD Chambers about the Census Undercount. They discuss how over 30 percent of Houston-area households did not respond to the 2010 Census, which results in estimates that Houston will lose nearly $16,000 per citizen in education, emergency and infrastructure funding between 2020 and 2030.

El superintendente adjunto para servicios financieros de Alief ISD, Charles Woods conversa con el superintendente HD Chambers sobre la baja participación en el censo. Nos cuentan como más del 30% de los hogares del área de Houston no respondieron al censo 2010, lo que se estima resultará en pérdidas de casi $16,000 por persona, para la ciudad de Houston, en concepto de educación, servicios de emergencia e infraestructura, entre el 2020 y el 2030.

Alief ISD has been named a Top Workplace for the fourth consecutive year by the Houston Chronicle, the largest local newspaper. Dr. Elizabeth Veloz-Powell (Alief ISD Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources), Darrell Alexander (Alief ISD Executive Director of Human Resources) and Kimberly Saunders (Alief ISD Center for Advanced Careers Secretary) dived into the anonymous workplace survey results and why Alief continues to be a highly-ranked employer.

Alief ISD Professional Development Coordinator Dr. Tracee Grigsby-Turner and Miller Intermediate School teacher Ebony Kennedy visit with Superintendent HD Chambers about critical components of professional development and learning. They discuss the current professional learning opportunities, including socio-emotional learning, Action Based Learning and how professional learning can help educators with building meaningful relationships with students.

Superintendent HD Chambers visits with Taylor High School students and staff on the different aspects of college preparation, from how to navigate family discussions about financial aid, to different forms of assistance for college-bound students.

A special guest calls into the ImpactED studios: Thien An Nguyen, who was the first Alief Idol winner, graduated from Kerr High School this past spring and is currently attending the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston. Superintendent HD Chambers chats with Nguyen, Kimberly Smith (Alief ISD Director of Public Relations) and Michelle Lopez (Alief ISD Fine Arts Facilitator) about the significance of fine arts in student learning, the role it plays in fostering a sense of community in schools and the future of arts integration.

Superintendent HD Chambers discusses the significance of the CTE Health Science Program with Elsik High School graduate and current McGovern Medical School student Rachel Obimah and Center for Advanced Careers teacher Courtney Caesar.

Superintendent HD Chambers chat with Debbie Vincent (Digital Learning Curriculum Specialist & Distance Learning), Pam Lowe (Director of Digital Learning), Kathy Jahn (Executive Director of Curriculum & Instruction), Olga Lopez (Hastings High School Library Information Specialist and Distance Learning Facilitator) and Alexandra Alvarenga (Hastings High School student) about the rigorous online course offerings for students and the advantages to the flexible virtual classroom environment.

Superintendent HD Chambers talks with Jennifer Baker (Alief ISD Career and Technical Education Director), Phyllis Sams (Veterinary Science instructor) and Elizabeth Nguyen (recent Alief ISD graduate and Certified Veterinary Assistant) about the extensive training provided by the Alief ISD Veterinary Science Program and how it prepares students to become Certified Veterinary Assistants.

Superintendent HD Chambers sits down with Adrienne Redmon (Hastings Advanced Academics Coordinator), Kydra Hubbard (Albright Social Studies Department Chair) and Gretchen Gaskins (Alief ISD Social Studies Coordinator) and visit about voter engagement at all grade levels.

Superintendent HD Chambers talk to Karla Kessler (Director of Federal Programs and Grants), Tameka Abernathy (Children Interacting Afterschool Coordinator) and Drechelle Edwards (21st Century Community Learning Centers Project Director) about the importance of after-school enrichment and its critical role in giving students the skills to succeed.

Superintendent HD Chambers sit down with Dr. Jackie Armwood (Alief ISD Director of Student Services) and Ava Montgomery (Alief ISD Deputy Superintendent of Instruction) about the district’s new Limited Open Enrollment (LOE) Program. They discuss the advantages of the LOE Program and also address LOE concerns.

Superintendent HD Chambers visit with Shanceler Terry (Family and Community Engagement Coordinator), Isaac Eguia (Family Liaison) and Bridget Ojeaga (Alief ISD parent) about the value and challenges of family engagement. They dig into the different levels of family engagement and the importance of using family engagement to strengthen the community and the home-to-school connection.

Superintendent HD Chambers chat with Dr. Elizabeth Veloz-Powell (Alief ISD Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources), Andrea Lotsu (Alief Taylor High School teacher) and Angel Anchondo (Alief Taylor High School graduate) regarding Alief's Grow Your Own teacher Program. Anchondo and Lotsu talk about the highlights of the CTE Education and Training Program, the importance of exposure to the teaching profession as a high school student and how to engage future educators.

Superintendent HD Chambers discusses the teacher shortage crisis with Maya Weatherton (Relay Houston) and Courtney Isaak (Good Reason Houston). They detail the importance of recruiting qualified individuals to join the teaching profession and what it takes to support these professionals so that they become highly effective teachers.

Carleen Johnson (Alief ISD Health Services Department) and Shirl Felder (Memorial Hermann School-Based Health Center) talk to Superintendent HD Chambers about how medical professionals go above and beyond year-round to provide much-needed health services to Alief ISD students.

Superintendent HD Chambers sit down with fellow superintendents Dr. Martha Salazar-Zamora (Tomball ISD), Dr. LaTonya Goffney (Aldine ISD) and Dr. Kelli Moulton (Galveston ISD). They discuss their paths to becoming superintendents of school districts and the importance of female leadership.

Superintendent HD Chambers visits with Gelyn Roble (Alief ISD Elementary Science Coordinator) and Betty George (Alief ISD Elementary Science Interventionist) about the intricacies of STEM education, including the challenges of project-based learning, how Alief is supporting STEM educators and information about the district-hosted STEM summer camps.

Superintendent HD Chambers chat with David Thompson (Partner and Thompson & Horton LLP) and Charles Woods (Alief ISD Deputy Superintendent of Business Services) about House Bill 3 and other issues surrounding public school funding.

Alief ISD Police Department Captain Henry Bonaparte and K9 Officer Christopher Sherman talk about the various proactive measures school districts are implementing to improve school safety, such as innovative trainings, vapor dogs, community policing and other methods.

Superintendent HD Chambers talked to Tracy Scholz (Alief ISD Advanced Academics Coordinator) and two Alief ISD AVID high school students regarding the district's Advanced Academics Program. They covered the many aspects of advanced academics, including the gifted and talented program, AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination), college dual credit opportunities and other advanced academics offerings.

Alief ISD graduate Martellus Bennett returns home to speak with Superintendent HD Chambers about his third children's book, Dear Black Boy. Bennett, a former NFL star, Super Bowl champ and founder of The Imagination Agency, talks about the importance of children of color to aspire to become more than just athletes.

Alief ISD elementary principals Jeanette Byrd (Cummings Elementary School) and Mary Kesler (Hicks Elementary School) chat with Kathy Jahn (Alief ISD Executive Director of Curriculum and Instruction) and Superintendent HD Chambers about the preparations underway to pilot a full-day Pre-Kindergarten Program at select Alief ISD schools.

Superintendent HD Chambers chats with Jennifer Baker (Director of Career and Technical Education) and Kimberly Crow (Alief ISD Director of Career and Technical Education and Innovation) in the Center for Advanced Careers. They discuss how Alief ISD prepared for the state-of-the-art facility, how partnerships are supporting student learning and how middle and high schools are preparing students for the workforce.

Superintendent HD Chambers welcomes Larry Elizondo (CITGO General Manager of Community Relations, Corporate Social Responsibility and Legislative Affairs) and Nelda Billescas (Olle Middle School Principal) to talk about how the CITGO Innovative Academy at Olle Middle School illustrates an exemplary example of how businesses can support student learning.

Dee Carney (Moak, Casey & Associates) joins a candid conversation about accountability and its impact on Texas public schools with Natalie Martinez (Alief ISD Director of Accountability, Assessment and Attendance) and Superintendent HD Chambers.

Alief ISD's Elementary and Secondary Language Arts staff break down the complex issues surrounding literacy in the state and how the state of Texas is using an assessment that is not grade-level appropriate to penalize students, educators and schools.

Superintendent HD Chambers visits with Alief ISD high school students who decided to pursue special high school programs while still in middle school. Students in the Life Sciences Innovative Academy and in the Alief Early College High School will graduate with an associate's degree from Houston Community College prior to receiving their high school diploma from Alief ISD. Students in the Alief International Academy are taught to think critically, engage globally and thrive competitively, while Kerr High School offers students the opportunity to work in a non-traditional, self-managed learning environment similar to college. Students from these alternative learning environments visit with the superintendent about the benefits of the programs, what they have learned and their future aspirations.

STOP. Collaborate. And listen. No, but really, let's talk collaboration! Episode 4 is all about collaborating with others in a positive way! We have 5 of our favorite TIPS to share with you! This was not always a strength for us, but we've gotten better and we want to share with you what we have learned about collaboration over the years! Teaching is hard, so let's work together! 

Dr. Julie Baker Finck of the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation and Alief ISD Early Childhood Facilitator Mari Martinez visit with Superintendent HD Chambers for the latest episode of ImpactED. They dive into the science of early childhood education, how to empower families with the knowledge and resources to educate early learners and how different early childhood initiatives are working together to educate children even before they register for Pre-Kindergarten.

Superintendent HD Chambers vists with Natali Hurtado (International Management District) and Robert Moser (Stantec) about community planning and the upcoming changes expected in this international community.

Tremayne Wickliffe is the principal of Crossroads, a disciplinary alternative education program in Alief ISD in Houston, Texas. He sits down with Superintendent HD Chambers to discuss the joys and challenges of working with troubled students.

Mr. Chambers speaks with Neil Bush, chairman of Points of Light and co-chairman of the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation, as he navigates through his own personal struggles with literacy, his mother's legacy and views on the future of learning in schools.

Bob Harvey and Peter Beard from the Greater Houston Partnership join a discussion with Superintendent HD Chambers about the employment outlook in the greater Houston area, including the data illustrating the jobs of the future.

Alief ISD counselors and mental health professionals sit down with Superintendent HD Chambers to discuss the state of mental health in schools. Today, mental issues have increased significantly due to societal changes, increased use of technology and other stress factors. Listen and find out how to identify a mental health crisis and where to seek help.

School districts often cook millions of meals for hungry students each school year. It costs some school districts millions of dollars to serve healthy meals; districts agree that it is expensive to be healthy. Alief ISD Nutrition Department staff members chat with Superintendent HD Chambers on the challenges of keeping students healthy while combating childhood hunger and providing tasty meals and snacks to students. They discuss the strategies to educate students about healthy eating and explore how proper nutrition can positively impact student learning.

Scott McClelland, President of H E B grocery company's Houston Food/Drug Division, sits down with Superintendent HD Chambers to discuss the future of public education and its effects on employment. The two cover the importance of addressing dire education concerns, from early childhood and career pathways to keeping strong teachers in the classroom and how other businesses can support public education as a means to bolster the economy.

After years of the government underfunding public school education and other attacks on the teaching profession, there is now a shortage of highly-qualified teachers in America. University of Houston's College of Education Dean Robert McPherson and Alief ISD Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources Elizabeth Veloz-Powell speak with Superintendent HD Chambers about the challenges of attracting quality college graduates to enter and remain in the teaching profession. Chambers also sits down with Michele Pena, an educator actively juggling her classroom responsibilities, part-time jobs and extra teacher duties.

Jessika Leal, Executive Assistant to Alief ISD Superintendent HD Chambers, sits down with the superintendent post-election to discuss what's next, how educators can remain engaged in the political process and how policies can impact their daily lives.

Elsik High School teacher, Army veteran and nationally-acclaimed soccer coach Vincenzo Cox and Marines veteran Major Jerome Stovall talk to Superintendent HD Chambers about how they use their military experience to educate the next generation of service men and women. A current Alief ISD student talks about his JROTC training and how it is preparing him for the armed forces.

Robin Human and Johanna Sanchez are elementary school principals in Alief ISD in Houston, Texas. Between the two of them, they have nearly 30 years of experience leading public schools. They sit down with Superintendent HD Chambers to discuss the joys and challenges of leading a school.

In ImpactED, Alief ISD Superintendent HD Chambers speaks with guests from all walks of life about issues affecting education and the future of America.