MEET MRS. GAINES

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    Five years ago, I initially wrote my bio. I am finally updating it. Somethings have changed while many have stayed the same :)

    A little information about myself…

    But first let me say that I am honored to be a member of this spectacular school and community. Lovett is blessed to have wonderful children, amazing parents and the best teachers, support staff and administrative team - hands down. I truly “Love It” at Lovett.  

    I graduated from Bellaire High School in HISD a long time ago. Earned my bachelors degree from the University of Houston in Interdisciplinary Studies with a minor in Early Childhood Education and Psychology and I earned my master’s degree in Educational Administration from Lamar University.

    This is my 23rd year in education and my 13th year at Lovett Elementary. I began my teaching career at Housman Elementary in Spring Branch ISD where I taught 1st grade for ten years. While at Housman, I had the opportunity to write district curriculum, served on many advisory boards and received in depth training in the area of reading.

    I joined the Lovett community in 2006 as a second grade teacher. I was a member of Lovett’s second grade team for 3 years. I then stepped out of the classroom and became Lovett’s Literacy Coach. With my background in reading I was able to work with our classroom teachers to develop our guided reading program and worked with 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students in the content area of reading. Working directly with teachers was exciting and something I truly enjoy doing. Teachers are just like students, they want to learn and grow. Working with older elementary students was a new endeavor and one I found very rewarding. During my time as Literacy Coach, I had the opportunity to work collaboratively with known author and educator Debbie Diller. Mrs. Diller and I worked collaboratively in one of our Kindergarten classrooms during the 2009-2010 school year while she was writing her now published book on Math Workstations. I was able to transfer my knowledge of literacy stations to math stations. Check out her book if you have a chance and the cover. The cover is our Kindergarten classroom! 

     

    math book

    Cover of Debbie Diller’s Math Work Stations book. Check out our student’s on the cover. These Kindergarteners are now feshman in highschool. Time sure does fly!

     

    During my second year as Lovett’s Literacy Coach, I was named Lovett’s Teacher of the Year. What an extraordinary blessing since every teacher on our campus is AMAZING. I was then named HISD’s Elementary Teacher of the Year. An amazing honor and an experience I will never forget. During my fifteen minutes of fame I had the opportunity to work with district curriculum and had the terrifying honor of being interviewed by channel 2 news.

     

     

    HISD TOY

     Lovett Marquee at the old building after being selected HISD’s Elementary Teacher of the Year 2010-2011

     

    My next career step was as Lovett’s Instructional Coordinator. I held this position for two years. As Instructional Coordinator, I worked specifically with our Kindergarten, first grade and special education teachers, held parent literacy meetings, planned instructional family nights, handled discipline, Title 1, 504 and the referral process.

    Now I’m on to the next chapter in my develop as an educator and leader – Assistant Principal. I'm in my 6th year as an AP now. As an Assistant Principal I handle a variety of school duties: I still am heavily involved in our Literacy program, I work hand and hand with our special education team, I oversee our School Wide Postivite Discipline plan, I handle all things dealing with intervention, IAT and section 504 and I appraise 14 teachers.  I am the birdwood dismissal lady, so if you have a kindergarten, first grader or a fifth grader I will wquickly get to know you during afternoon dismissal. I look forward to working collaboratively with every student, teacher and parent on our campus. My door is always open to any parent and email is the quickest way to reach me, hgaines@houstonisd.org. 

    On a personal note – I’m not only a Lovett teacher/leader but I am also a former Lovett parent. My son Austin is a freshman at Bellaire High School this year. He turned 15 in August and will be driving soon. WOW! Austin attended Owl’s Nest anf then Lovett. He spent 9 loooooong years here with me. He was very glad to leave and attend Pin OAk middle school. My husband, Chad, is in his second year teaching 7th grade MAth at Pershing MS. Some of my former Lovett students have had Mr. Gaines. In my spare time, I love to read, work in my yard and spend time with my family. When not at school I can likely be found at a baseball field somewhere. So enough about me, you probably learned more than you wanted to know J

    Heather

     

                                                
    chad and ausitn ausitn and me shaggy
    About 5-6 years ago, Chad, Austin, Me and our beloved golden, Shaggy
     
    Austin & Me now Shaggy and Austin BB
    Austin and I, Shaggy and Austin,  Summer BB (he's catching)