VYPE Aldine ISD Fall 2022

A I S D N E W S

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DISTRICT LEADERS COVERMUCH GROUNDVISITING SCHOOLS ON FIRST2 DAYS OF INSTRUCTION

The start of the school year is always an exciting time, especially for stu dents enrolling in a new school. And it’s also an exciting time for young teachers, especially those who have come to Aldine ISD from foreign countries. In fact, Aldine ISD has hired 42 international teachers, from nine different countries, for the 2022-23 school year. For these 42 teachers, it’s the beginning of a new journey, not only teaching in a new school, but also in a whole new country. All 42 teachers are certified and have been screened and vetted to ensure they are a great fit for Aldine. While the exchange visas used for the initiative are done with the goal of having the teachers here for three to five years, Aldine ISD Superintendent Dr. LaTonya M. Goffney and other district leaders traveled the district, visiting schools and connecting with principals, teachers, stu dents, and parents during the first two days (Aug. 17-18) of instruction in AISD. Dr. Goffney and her team began their district-wide tour early on the first day of school by visiting Aldine ISD’s newest campus, Impact Leadership Academy at Wilson. Impact Leadership Academy is the district’s first all-boys school under Principal Jonathan Kegler’s leadership. Prairie View A&M University is the school’s partner, and representatives from the school and business and com munity members helped welcome Im pact students to their first day of school. After visiting Impact, Dr. Goffney and her team proceeded to Hoffman Middle School to tour Hoffman College Prep. Aldine ISD launched the college-prep program this year. Then it was on to Thompson Elementary School. The next stop on the first-day tour was Avalos P-TECH High School,

where Dr. Goffney met with the school’s new Principal, Ste phen Heady, and also toured the school. Then it was on to Vardeman Primary School, where Dr. Goffney visited some of Aldine’s youngest scholars and 2021-22 Elementary Teacher

Aldine ISD Superintendent Dr. LaTonya M. Goffney looks over a Vardeman Primary student’s work

of the Year Linda Ni gro. The final stop on the first school day was at Francis Elementary School.

The next stop on the second school day was Blanson CTE High School. The second instruction day’s final stop was a trip to the Westside Transportation Department, where Dr. Goffney was greeted by German Enamorado, Aldine ISD’s Executive Director of Transporta tion. She and her team also visited with Westside personnel and thanked them for the critical role they play in safely transporting Aldine students to and from school daily.

On the second day of school, Dr. Goffney and her team first visited Hill Elementa ry School, where they met with Aldine Federation of Teachers representatives and had a photo opportunity with Texas AFT President Zeph Capo and Aldine ISD AFT President Candis Houston. Next, it was on to Garcia Middle School and a visit with new Principal Phoebe Pruitt.

ALDINE ISDHIRES 42 INTERNATIONAL TEACHERS FOR ITS 2022-2023 SCHOOLYEAR

In addition to being certified and qual ified in their areas of expertise, they also provide a cultural experience for their students. This is another aspect in which Dr. Petrea was interested in utilizing the initiative for Aldine. “International teachers help provide a cultural connection to our diverse student body,” said Dr. Petrea. “This program is something we are looking to continue.” Aldine ISD is always looking for more ways to provide a dynamic and fulfilling experience to its students; additionally, Aldine is always looking for the best talent to join the team. Enlisting the help of international teachers is just another way in which this goal is being accomplished.

AISD has worked to ensure the inter national teachers will fully enjoy their stay, in the hopes of retaining them throughout the length of their visas. While the concept of recruiting interna tionally isn’t new, this is the first year AISD has looked to bring in internation al teachers. Led by Dr. Lauren Petrea, Talent Acquisition Director, the program has gone even further in its imple mentation, enlisting the help of retired principals to act as mentors for the new teachers to ensure they acclimate to a new area and country. “We also helped them find an apart ment, furniture and we helped them get a car,” said Dr. Petrea. “We helped them find all the items that they need.”

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