Houston Area Teacher Center Conference & Job Fair - University of Houston
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Houston Area Teacher Center Conference & Job Fair

Teacher Candidate meets with School District Reps at the HATC Job Fair
A Teacher candidate speaks with a school district representative at the HATC Job Fair at the Hilton, University of Houston on April 8, 2016.

Over 600 teacher education students from the University of Houston, College of Education (UH COE) and partnering Texas universities attended the Houston Area Teacher Center’s (HATC) biannual Student Teaching Conference and Job Fair held on April 8, 2016.

The purpose of the fair is to bring future teachers and representatives from public school districts and entities together to learn and network.  The consortium provides a forum for representatives from each school district to solve issues of common concern. Together, district and UH representatives discuss certification areas and issues that districts would like to focus on such as job placements for student teachers, policy statements and more.

Teacher Candidates discuss issues at a workshop at the College of Education Farish Hall
Teacher Candidates discuss issues at a workshop at the College of Education Farish Hall during the HATC Conference and Job Fair.

Teacher candidates from UH COE and partnering universities began the day with a general session at the Hilton, University of Houston where district principals fielded questions from students eager to secure teaching jobs.

Michael G. Escalante, Principal, DeZavala Elementary School in the Channelview Independent School District was one of the panelists who encouraged the future teachers. "It is a tremendous honor to be on the panel and to have the opportunity to address the new teachers,” he said.  “Go on and be amazing!”

After the general session, students made their way to Farish Hall to attend two sessions that covered topics including job seeking strategies, avoiding teacher burnout, legal issues, leadership skills, and expectations of a first year teacher. Wayne Emerson, visiting professor in the Department of Educational Leadership & Policy Studies led a workshop entitled How Teachers Can Be Successful Campus Leaders: Every Teacher Is a Teacher Leader which provided insights into how every teacher can be a significant part of the campus culture and the success of all students. He stressed that strong and effective teacher leaders enrich campuses and provide the link between all stakeholders, purpose and practice.

Future teacher Bethaney Jones (EC-6 Generalist Teaching & Learning) at UH COE, appreciated the information she received from the conference. "The HATC conference prepared me to enter the teaching field with an abundance of useful information,” she said.  “I feel inspired and ready to impact the lives of my future students.”

Student Teacher Candidates at the HATC Job Fair in the University Center
Teacher Candidates registering for the HATC Conference and Job Fair.

Kim Nguyen, a UH COE Teaching and Learning future teacher said she really enjoyed the HATC Conference & Job Fair.  “We, as future teachers, are new to the field, so being able to hear from the panel as well as the workshops gave me useful tips that I would take with me to my interview,” she said. “My favorite part was being able to see all the districts come together for us!”

The day ended with students returning to the Hilton, University of Houston for a job fair. Fifty-six participating member school districts and entities set up booths in the hotel to share information about job opportunities with the future teachers.

UH COE students volunteered for the event.  They worked at the registration table at the Hilton, served as guides at the Farish Hall workshops, and helped with set-up as well as anything that else that was required.  “The event gave students and districts a great platform to exchange information,” said volunteer Ryan Alder, EC-6 Generalist Teaching & Learning student.  “Volunteering gave me an insight into what I’ll be going through in a few years.”  Volunteer Kelsie Dartayet, a Bilingual Generalist Teaching & Learning student said, “It was a great turnout! I enjoyed meeting everyone.”

Ron Coleman, who works as a university field supervisor for the UH Teacher Education program, was there to assist and coach his students. “The HATC conference was just great,” he said.  “The students were totally engaged the whole day...start to finish.” 

In 1971, HATC began with only six Houston area school districts under the direction of UH Professor Robert Houston. A grant from the U.S. Department of Education funded it initially, but the innovative concept caught fire. One of the first teacher advisory groups of its kind in the country, HATC’s success helped inspire the State of Texas to mandate that similar teacher centers be created across the state. Over the years, the consortium has bloomed in its size and impact.