Susan Brenz, principal of Youens Elementary in CY-Fair ISD, and Glenda Holder, principal of Lakeland Elementary in Humble ISD, present their innovation project on a school-wide literacy program with a Katy ISD colleague.
Raise Your Hand Texas (RYHT) is entering its third year of partnership with the Rice University Education Entrepreneurs Program (REEP). The REEP Business Fellowship Program combines a world-class business school education with an innovative educational leadership curriculum, resulting in transformative experiences for Houston K-12 leaders. The year-long program includes weekend classes taught by Rice professors, a two-week summer institute, executive coaching, and campus visits.
The 2012-2013 RYHT cohort will graduate in May, with RYHT funding 22 leaders from six Houston-area districts. The cohort recently presented their cumulating innovation projects, with participants executing plans and collecting data on topics ranging from school-wide literacy programs to teacher retention at Title I Schools.
The 2013-2014 cohort began their REEP coursework in February, with RYHT increasing its impact by funding 32 leaders from 10 Houston-area districts. Lucy Anderson, one of the new cohort members and principal at Stevens Elementary in the Houston Independent School District, stated, “I just started the REEP program and already have learned new information that will positively impact my work and the education that we provide to children at Stevens. None of this would have been possible without the support of Raise Your Hand Texas.”
Sarah Harty, principal of Cypress Lakes High School in Cy-fair, presents her innovation project on retaining teachers in a Title I school.
REEP and RYHT are working together to develop leaders to become the next generation of thought leaders in the Houston area. Many RYHT cohort members have been promoted to district leadership positions, using their REEP experience to impact public education at a deeper, more systemic level. To date, the REEP/RYHT partnership has impacted 60 school leaders and more than 47,000 students in the Houston area.
New 2013-2014 Participants:
| Kathleen Cox | Aldine ISD | Ernest F. Mendel Elementary |
| Janine Hoke | Alief ISD | Miller Intermediate School |
| Nancy Lewin | Alief ISD | Holmquist Elementary |
| Bernadette Bentley | Alief ISD | Petrosky Elementary School |
| Paul Baez | Alief ISD | Rees Elementary School |
| Patrick Cherry | Alief ISD | Albright Middle School |
| Kerry Smith | Alief ISD | Alief Early College High School |
| Johnny Briseno | Alvin ISD | Alvin High School |
| Jessica McMullen | Alvin ISD | Mary Burkes Marek Elementary |
| Trent Thrasher | Alvin ISD | Alvin Jr. High School |
| Sarah Otto | Barbers Hill ISD | Barbers Hill Primary School |
| Lisa Watkins | Barber Hills ISD | Barbers Hill Primary Center |
| Kelly O. Gerletti | Cypress Fairbanks ISD | Robison Elementary School |
| Erwann Wilson | Cypress Fairbanks ISD | Bang Elementary School |
| Jeffrey LaCoke | Cypress Fairbanks ISD | Frazier Elementary School |
| Anthony Indelicato | Fort Bend ISD | Kempner High School |
| Kenneth Gregorski | Fort Bend ISD | Clements High School |
| Sonja Williams | Houston ISD | Madison High School |
| Steven Gittens | Houston ISD | Hobby Elementary School |
| Maya Weatherton | Houston ISD | Forester Elementary |
| Tiffany Chenier | Houston ISD | McNamara Elementary |
| Marco Morales | Houston ISD | Brookline Elementary |
| Lucy Anderson | Houston ISD | Stevens Elementary |
| Sarah Ballard | Humble ISD | Park Lakes Elementary |
| Donna Fife | Humble ISD | Elm Grove Elementary |
| Robye Snyder | Spring Branch ISD | Meadow Wood Elementary |
| Patricia Thomas | Spring Branch ISD | Ridgecrest Elementary |
| David Rodriguez | Spring Branch ISD | Buffalo Creek Elementary |
| Lynne Barry | Spring Branch ISD | Edgewood Elementary |
| Beth Woodson | Spring Branch ISD | Memorial Drive Elementary |
| Dr. Jo Ann Colson | Tomball ISD | Timber Creek Elementary School |
| Meredith Walker | Tomball ISD | Tomball Elementary School |
