Welcome to the Alief ISD HR Newsletter,

Your go-to source for important updates, insights, and resources related to our district’s human resources information. Each edition is designed to keep you informed about new policies, upcoming events, professional development opportunities, and other key information that impacts our staff and schools. Whether you’re looking for updates on benefits, tips for enhancing your workplace experience, or information on district-wide initiatives, our newsletter has you covered. Stay engaged and informed with the latest HR news and resources tailored specifically for our district’s needs.

HR NEWS AT A GLANCE!

January 5, 2025

Volume 1: Issue 5

Welcome to January!

Happy New Year and welcome to the first edition of our HR Newsletter for 2025! We hope you all had a restful holiday season and are feeling recharged as we begin this new year together.

As we kick off January, we want to take a moment to reflect on the achievements of the past year and set our sights on the exciting opportunities that lie ahead. This month, our HR department is focused on helping you succeed in 2025 with some key initiatives and important reminders.

What’s New in HR?

New Year, New Benefits: We’ve made updates to our employee benefits for 2025. Be sure to review the new offerings, including wellness programs, and more!
Training & Development: We're launching new skill-building workshops to support your professional growth. Whether you’re looking to improve leadership skills, enhance technical expertise, or boost your work-life balance, we have something for everyone.
Employee Recognition: Our employees work hard each day and we want to celebrate their commitment to our students and school communities. Each month, we will celebrate an employee, associate teachers and a substitute! Join us in starting the year off with celebrating the hard work and dedication of your colleagues.

Important Reminders:

Updated Policies: Be on the look out for information about an update in the online employee handbook we will be sharing a few adjustments to the employee dress code, determined by the district's Dress Code Committee.
Health and Wellness Resources: Don’t forget about the wellness resources available to you! From mental health support to physical wellness programs, we are committed to ensuring that you have the tools you need to thrive.

We’re excited about what’s ahead in 2025 and are here to support you in every step of the journey. If you ever have any questions or need assistance, our HR team is just a call or email away.

Wishing you a successful and fulfilling year ahead!

Warm regards,

The HR Team

Important Dates

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Reimbursement and Support for

TExES Exams!

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Ready to become a Teacher?

Use the link below to find out more about opportunities for teacher pathways!

Everything you need to learn about teaching and get into the classroom. Sign up to get started.

https://houston.teach.org/

💸 Financial Reimbursement Updates! Good News!

Teach for Houston is an education program that provides support, information and inspiration for the next generation of change making teachers.

They are expanding financial support offerings and now cover Reimbursement for TExES exams ✅ (including retests)!

We want to ensure our Alief teacher candidates are fully supported throughout their journey. Below are 5 reasons to sign up for a free TEACH for Houston account today!

1. Coaching Calls: Free, one-on-one advising sessions with prospective teachers to answer questions and give advice by phone, email or video chat.

2. $1K Scholarships: Applicants to our EPP/ ACP partner programs who use TEACH services to jump start their teaching careers are eligible for several $1,000 scholarship giveaways all year long.

3. 24/7 Support: Offers tons of how-to resources on getting certified, choosing and applying to a prep program, financing your education, and more. Available by chat 24/7 to help make navigating it all even easier.

4. $100 Fee Reimbursements: Applicants are eligible for up to $100 in reimbursement for prep program application-related expenses.

5. Expert Advice: From how-to application checklists written by program staff to why teaching articles penned by current educators, future teachers get tons of “straight from the source” information all in a one-stop-shop.

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National Board Certification

The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards is an independent, nonprofit organization working to advance accomplished teaching for all students that was established in 1987.

National Board Certification is the most respected professional certification available in education and provides numerous benefits to teachers, students and schools. It was designed to develop, retain and recognize accomplished teachers and to generate ongoing improvement in schools nationwide. More than a decade of research from across the country confirms that students taught by National Board Certified Teachers (NBCTs) learn more than students taught by other teachers. Estimates of the increase in learning are on the order of an additional one to two months of instruction and the positive impact is even greater for high-need students.

The founding mission of the National Board is to advance the quality of teaching and learning by:

Maintaining high and rigorous standards for what accomplished teachers should know and be able to do;
Providing a national voluntary system certifying teachers who meet these standards;
Advocating related education reforms to integrate National Board Certification in American education and to capitalize on the expertise of National Board Certified Teachers.

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There are currently 5 National Board Certified teachers in Alief!!!

*Diana McFatridge

*Georgia Nemeth

*Jessica Nguyen

*Kerri Reynolds

*Julie Ryan

Information about Cohort #5 will be shared in April 2025!

Please stay tuned!

Current NBC Cohorts

Alief Currently has 2 Cohorts finishing up their National Board Certifications!

They represent a combined total of 33 candidates!

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Become a Dual Credit Teacher

Alief's students can take Dual Credit courses to get a jump on their college degree while in high school. Dual Credit courses save our students both time and money.

Dual credit courses can include both academic and technical courses.
Students receive dual credit on both high school and college transcripts.
Dual credit courses help our students:
- Save money by taking fewer classes in college
- Graduate faster
- Get a head start on their college career

Become a Dual Credit Teacher

If you are interested in demonstrating an ability to teach college-level material to high school students, follow the step by step instructions on how to apply HERE.

To become a dual credit professor at Houston Community College (HCC), teachers need to have a master's degree in the subject area they want to teach.

There is an application process with HCC, which involves submission of your credentials and teaching experience to the relevant department at HCC.

HCC Credentialing Procedures

Academic Program Credentialing Standards

Workforce Program Credentialing Standards

Developmental Program Credentialing Standards

Spring Survey Updates

Alief has 3 surveys coming soon! During the months of January/February we will be collecting data to get the perspectives of our students and families regarding how we are doing at campuses and as a district. Below are the survey windows. Campus leaders will have additional information in January to ensure successful survey administration:

Jan. 21 – Feb. 7: C.A.R.E. Family Surveys (all grade levels)
Jan. 21 – Feb. 7: SEL/C.A.R.E. Student Surveys (3rd – 12th grades)
Jan. 27 – Feb. 14: TIA Student Perception Surveys (3rd –12th grades)

Shout out and big "thank you" go out to the following campuses/departments for their participation in Climate and Culture Focus Groups this Fall.

Participants gave the Alief Climate and Culture Committee honest feedback, concerns, and insightful suggestions: Best, Boone, Heflin, Kennedy, Chambers, Mahanay, Youens, Miller, Hastings, ENGC, and Central Distribution.

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Staff Spotlight:

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What it Teacher Incentive Allotment?

Teacher Incentive Allotment 24-25 FAQs

TIA NEWSLETTER:https://aliefisdtx.edurooms.com/engage/alief-isd-teacher-incentive-allotment/newsletters/tia-tuesdays-november-2024

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Substitute of the Month

The Sub Office is happy to announce our Substitute of the Month program! We would like to recognize exceptional substitutes that go above and beyond to support students and campuses.

The celebrations begin this month in January! check out the flyer below for details and the nomination QR Code

ESL Testing Updates

1st Time Testers ESL Prep Sessions

(Register ONLY if you have never taken the ESL exam)

1st Time Tester ESL Prep

*February 20th

4:30- 7:30 pm

*March 27th

4:00 - 7:00 pm

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Retest Test Prep Sessions

(Register ONLY if you need to retake the ESL exam)

Retest Test Prep Sessions

2- full-day sessions

Saturday, January 25 and February 1

Requirements:

Participants must attend both sessions
Registration for retesting must be scheduled within 30 days of the test prep session
Bring most recent test scores

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TExES Exam Info

• English as a Second Language Supplemental exam-#154

• Find test dates and registration information at www.tx.nesinc.com

Alief ISD Staff Development Sessions Offered

• Region 4- ESL Exam Review Sessions (November - April)

• Retest Support Options (monthly)

Eligibility Guidelines for the ESL One-Time $500 Stipend

• Teachers must take and pass the ESL certification exam

• Teachers must add ESL to their existing standard certificate

• Teachers who already have ESL certification are not eligible

• Bilingual certified teachers are not required or eligible

Written Request Required for Payment of Stipend

After meeting the criteria a written request for payment is required.

Include name, employee ID# and school/dept. to Lety Shelley, Certification Specialist, Alief HR
Contact Lety Shelley at 281-988-3456 x29147 or at Lety.Ocampo-Shelley@aliefisd.net for details or questions

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ALIEF ISD is

Check out some of our GYO partners...

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New Year! New You

Tips for No Procrastination in 2025

1. Use the "2-Minute Rule"

If a task can be done in less than 2 minutes, do it immediately.

This helps to eliminate small tasks that can quickly add up and make you feel overwhelmed.

2. Use the "5- Second Rule"

When you feel the urge to procrastinate, count down from 5 and take immediate action.

Count backwards 5-4-3-2-1.This helps to overcome the initial resistance to starting a task.

3. Use the "1-3-5 Rule"

At the start of each day, identify 1 big thing to accomplish, 3 medium things and 5 small tasks.

Knock out those priorities!

4. Break tasks into smaller pieces

One of the main reasons we procrastinate is because a task seems too big and overwhelming.

To make it more manageable, try breaking is down into smaller, bite-sized parts.

5. Identify your "Prime Time"

Notice when you tend to be most focused and energetic, then dedicate that time to your highest priorities.

Save quick or easier tasks to your mental lulls.

6. Create a "To-Do" list

Write down all the tasks you nee to complete in a day.

Crossing off items as you finish them can give you a sense of accomplishment and keep you motivated!!

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Employment Verification Process

To streamline the process for handling employment verification inquiries, please follow the steps listed below. For detailed instructions, you can visit the Reference Document linked at the top of the image or refer to the information available on our district website Human Resources department page. All inquiries are processed through www.experianverify.com.