Page 56 - 2017 GPISD Honor Board Application

7. Participation in Workshops

and other

Performance Improvement Programs

7.1 ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIP AND PARTICIPATION

Galena Park is a culturally diverse district, serving 82 percent economically disadvantaged students. The
Board recognizes that it is critical to be culturally responsive to the various groups represented in the
community. The Board maintains active membership in a number of organizations that address issues
relevant to the student population we serve. These organizations offer numerous conferences and educational
opportunities in which the GPISD Board participates throughout the year. Currently, Board trustees are
active members in the following organizations:

• National School Board Association (NSBA); • Mexican American School Board Association (MASBA);
• Texas Association of School Boards (TASB); • Texas Parent Teacher Association (PTA); and
• Gulf Coast Area Association of School Boards (GCAASB); • Galena Park Education Foundation.
• The Texas Alliance of Black School Educators (TABSE);

All seven GPISD Trustees are members of a local PTA chapter, and six of them have been honored as PTA
Lifetime Members.

7.2 ENCOURAGEMENT OF PROFESSIONAL STAFF TO PARTICIPATE IN ACTIVITIES DESIGNED TO
IMPROVE PERFORMANCE

The Galena Park ISD Board of Trustees supports and encourages a comprehensive professional
development program in our district. This program includes all levels of campus and district staff, from
the operations department to teachers and other instructional staff and administrators.

New teachers in GPISD attend a three-day academy prior to service. During this academy, induction-
level teachers are trained on critical pedagogy skills needed for success in the classroom. Curriculum
information and district initiatives are also introduced to the new teachers during the academy. The Board
values ongoing support to retain teachers; new teachers are assigned mentors to coach and assist them as
they navigate the sometimes challenging first year of service. Thanks to this robust support system, more
than 90 percent of the District’s first-year teachers are retained for further service in GPISD.

To address ongoing professional development for new and experienced teachers, the District provides
content-based two-day academies before school starts, and all teachers are offered support sessions
throughout the school year. The Board also generously supports and expects staff to attend and present at
local, regional, state, and national conferences for district-wide initiatives, such as The Fundamental 5, a
comprehensive approach to ensure quality instruction in the classroom.

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