Houston A+ Challenge is an independent nonprofit that has been actively supporting public school reform efforts in the Greater Houston area since 1997. We invest in people by providing teachers, principals and administrators with resources, support and coaching to improve classroom and district practices.

Our initiatives aim to help educators create and sustain great schools based on strong relationships and rigorous instruction that is relevant to students and their post-secondary aspirations. We advocate for personalization of classrooms and workspaces, collaboration among teachers and across districts, and a relentless focus on quality teaching and learning. We share schools’ best practices, and we challenge businesses, parents, students and community members to actively engage in Houston’s public schools.

A+ Benefit Dinner Unites Attendees Around Improving Public Education

Generous Houstonians made the first-ever “Power of the Network” dinner, benefiting Houston A+ Challenge, a sold-out event on October 13, 2009, at River Oaks Country Club.

Kudos went to Chairs Lesha and Tom Elsenbrook and Nancy and Bryan Ruez for leading the event, which honored the achievements of two women who were instrumental in starting Houston A+ Challenge: Andrea White and Maconda B. O’Connor.

 
Introduced by fellow founding A+ Board Member Harry Reasoner, White accepted the first A+ Awards for Excellence in Public Education on behalf of herself and O’Connor, saying: “There were so many people who helped us start this important organization, which has changed the way our educators teach, and the way students learn. We recognize the need to continue collaborating to make our public schools and teachers more effective.”

In Focus ...

Paul Castro

Great schools have great leaders – that's why Houston A+ Challenge invests in Houston educators like Paul Castro. He is one of more than 200 principals and APs from six area K-12 districts that have graduated from Houston A+ Challenge's two-year New Visions in Leadership Academy since 1999. Participants meet in groups to study the latest research, develop their leadership styles, and learn new techniques for helping teachers reach and inspire today’s students.
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