Harris County Department of Education’s Center for Educator Success (CES) has proven itself to be an industry leader in shaping future educators, working with neighboring school districts to grow leaders and even sharing its expertise across the globe.

The team did parts of all three at the recent Consortium of State Organizations for Texas Teacher Education (CSOTTE) Conference, held Oct. 12-14 in Denton. CSOTTE is an umbrella organization of 10 separate organizations, including those representing alternative certification, collegiate deans and directors, and educational technology.

CES led four sessions.

Monica Goffney, manager of teacher support and early literacy, presented on refining processes and examining instructional strategies for Science of Teaching Reading exams. Dr. Shannon Treadville, manager of teacher support, and Officer of Elementary Education Johanna Sanchez led a session on using culture to boost teacher retention in alternative certification programs, and shared tips to build culture and use it as an asset. Manager of Teacher Support Talia Presley and Assessment Manager Marsha Alexander-Brown presented on mentoring Education Preparation Program candidates in culturally responsive literacy and tools for instruction that promotes equitable treatment of all students.

Goffney, Sanchez, Treadville and Officer of Teacher Development Terae Harris combined for a session on CES’s Summer Intensive, which transforms certification candidates to classroom-ready teachers, all while building a strong foundation and hitting certification milestones.