Ask teachers about their secret to a successful classroom, and you’ll often find their answer is creating a personal connection with each student. That ideology was the focus as Harris County Department of Education (HCDE) welcomed back Special Schools division employees for their two-day annual professional development Aug. 14-15.
The event, titled “Prioritizing Connections on the Varsity Team,” offered insight into creating a positive environment for students at Academic and Behavior Schools East and West, Highpoint School and Fortis Academy. Training also included legal updates, individualized learning techniques and best practices for effectively tracking student behavior and creating impactful reports.
The Varsity theme was a callback to HCDE’s annual Convocation, and staff were invited to dress in their high school extracurricular attire to get excited about the 2025-2026 academic year. Laughter and camaraderie were on full display in the Irvington Conference Center as each campus participated in a cheer competition. While no tumbling or flips were involved, #TeamHCDE turned the room upside down with enthusiasm for their respective campuses.
Superintendent James Colbert Jr. and Assistant Superintendent for Academic Support Services Jonathan Parker closed the ceremony and introduced educators to key division leaders before recognizing employees who have dedicated five to 25 years of service to HCDE.
With the energy and unity built during the 2-day event, Special Schools staff members are ready to bring their best to the new year. They will finish professional development training Aug. 19 at the Curriculum Connections Conference before students return to campuses Aug. 25. Educators are prepared to turn the lessons, strategies and the spirit of connection into meaningful learning experiences for Harris County learners.