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HCDE received the award at a special ceremony at the Royal Sonesta Hotel. Companies recognized are awarded solely on anonymous workplace surveys completed by their employees.
“HCDE is the best of both worlds as it is a dynamic place to work which encourages excellence and fosters an entrepreneurial spirit in an ever-changing educational environment,” said Superintendent James Colbert Jr. “We also gain the personal satisfaction of serving area school districts and helping a wide array of students succeed, from pre-k students to students with special needs to adult learners.”
Top Workplaces rankings are determined by a scientific employee survey process provided by Energage, an independent research company partnering with the Chronicle for the past 10 year. This year, 150 employers earned recognition as Top Workplaces in three categories: small, medium and large. HCDE was ranked no. 24 in the large-company category.
In all, 134,258 employees from 257 companies took the survey. Questions included issues relating to workplace culture such as management, benefits, employee appreciation, workplace flexibility and more.
Longtime employee Laura McFarland nominated HCDE for the award after seeing an ad in the Houston Chronicle requesting company recommendations for Top Workplaces. McFarland is an occupational therapist and manages therapists who work with students in Houston Independent School District and several other districts through HCDE’s School-Based Therapy Services. She has been employed with HCDE for 21 years.
“Because of the culture of excellence that exists at HCDE, everyone is encouraged to show initiative and professional growth,” McFarland said. “We are constantly evolving and adapting to best meet the community’s needs.”
About HCDE: HCDE is a unique, educational hybrid serving school districts, governmental agencies, nonprofits and the public in the third-largest county in the U.S. HCDE annually serves a quarter-million students and educators through schools for students with profound special needs; the largest adult education program in Texas; Head Start early childhood education; school-based therapy services; and afterschool programs. Educator professional development and certification, school safety, records management, and a purchasing cooperative are also provided. #SeeTheImpact at www.hcde-texas.org.