Showing posts with label second. Show all posts
Showing posts with label second. Show all posts

Saturday, May 12, 2012

Second HISD bullying survey focuses on one school

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- There are teachers claiming they're being bullied by principals and other adults in HISD. We first told you about the report last month, and a new more in-depth survey is out about bullying.

Three weeks ago, we reported on a survey that revealed a majority of HISD teachers claimed to be the victims of bullying by their administrators. Well, this new one paints an equally bothersome picture for some educators who think teachers deserve better.

After our initial report, in which the teachers union told us than a staggering number of teachers felt intimidated by their bosses, we were given the results of a lesser-known survey that focused on a single campus, where some teachers say the morale is poor and it's the students who ultimately suffer.

Stacey Magginson taught science at Woodson Middle School for just five months.

"The stress level, going to work -- after a while, I just didn't want to go. You lose your passion," Magginson said.

He says the administrators would yell at students and at teachers.

"You'll hear the yelling a lot of times during the faculty meetings that we have in reference to the scores of students, certain things we needed to work on," Magginson said.

"Are they bullies?" we asked him.

"To me, no, but the type of language or the tone, I couldn't deal with it, so I tried to avoid those particular individuals," he said.

Magginson says he left the K-8 school in January after being reprimanded, and when this year is over, he won't be renewed.

But he's one of several past and current teachers at Woodson who've complained to Eyewitness News about treatment by administrators. And we obtained a copy of an internal survey, in which 36 teachers participated.

And while 58 percent did say they were eager or excited to go to work, 32 percent were resistant or gloomy and 48 percent said morale was depressing or declining. Not one said it was motivating, and when asked if they feel valued, 45 percent said rarely or never.

We reached out to the HISD administration and asked to do an on-camera interview with the superintendent. Through a spokesperson, he declined that. But we did get a statement from HISD that told us it was the principal who initiated that climate survey at Woodson. And that as a result of that survey, she's taken several actions, including having leadership training for the team at her school.

The statement also read, "The Woodson principal's use of the school climate survey shows her to be a leader who genuinely cares about her teachers' opinions and takes appropriate action to address their concerns. Campus principals are the key to the Houston Independent School District's effort to place a quality teacher in every classroom."

But in a district wide survey last month, the Houston Federation of Teachers found that 65 percent of HISD's teachers felt they were bullied by administrators.

"If we don't work on a professional climate on the part of the administrators, dealing with their staff, then we're gonna see chronic turnover," the organization's president, Gayle Fallon, said. "People ultimately will not stay in a place where they're not well treated."

"Which ultimately is bad for the kids?" we asked Fallon.

"Right," Fallon said.

We also spoke on the phone Thursday morning with Woodson's principal. She declined an on-camera interview, and our calls to two HISD board members were unreturned.

(Copyright ©2012 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »


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Thursday, May 10, 2012

Forbes: Houston is second best big city to find job

See it on TV? Check here.   HOUSTON (KTRK) -- According to Forbes Magazine, Houston is the second best city to find a job.

The magazine ranked cities across the country based on employment data and says Austin and Houston topped the list for job growth based on Space City's connection to energy and technology.

Aside from Austin and Houston, Ft. Worth-Arlington was fourth and Dallas was sixth.

See the full list here.

(Copyright ©2012 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.)
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Thursday, May 3, 2012

Second suspect charged in bar arson in east Houston

See it on TV? Check here.Gabino Pocho Silva, 22, is charged with arson. Gabino Pocho Silva, 22, is charged with arson.

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Police have identified and charged a man believed shown on video helping set a bar full of people on fire.

Gabino Pocho Silva is charged with arson. Officers say Silva is the man in dark shorts seen pouring gasoline on the back of La Estrella bar in east Houston on April 19.

According to police, Jaime Mata, along with Silva, barricaded the front door and then set the building on fire. Everyone in the bar got out safely.

Authorities believe the two men decided to light the bar on fire after getting kicked out for fighting.

Mata was arrested and a judge raised his bond to $100,000 on Wednesday. He was also ordered to stay at least 100 yards from the bar.

Silva, 22, is still on the loose.

Anyone with information about the location of the charged fugitive is asked to contact Crime Stoppers of Houston at 713-222-TIPS (8477).

(Copyright ©2012 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.)
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Saturday, March 17, 2012

Fire at home in Second Ward spreads to house next door

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A heavy fire broke out at a home last night in the Second Ward and quickly spread to the house next door.

It all started around 10pm at a home on Harrisburg and Estelle. Firefighters aren't sure what started the flames, but the house in question was made of wood and had a fire pit in the front yard. A neighbor says he heard they were burning some sort of material in that pit when the fire got out of control.

Everyone managed to get out of the homes safely.

(Copyright ©2012 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »


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Friday, December 30, 2011

Man carrying fake bomb robs second bank in 10 days

This suspect is wanted in at least two Humble bank robberies, the latest Thursday morning. This suspect is wanted in at least two Humble bank robberies, the latest Thursday morning.

  HUMBLE, TX (KTRK) -- Authorities are seeking a man who robbed a bank in Humble holding a device he claimed was a bomb for the second time in less than two weeks.

The FBI says the suspect robbed the Chase Bank at 10011 FM 1960 Bypass West on Thursday morning. The white male, 5 foot 4 to 5 foot 6 tall, is in his 40's with a stocky build, and was wearing a black hoodie, black cotton gloves, and dark pants with white tennis shoes. The FBI says the suspect threatened tellers with a device he claimed was a bomb.

Investigation later determined the device was a hoax.

The same suspect is linked to a similar robbery that took place on December 20 at the Citibank located at 9467 FM 1960 Bypass East in Humble. In that robbery, the suspect was wearing a referee's outfit and carried a package wrapped like a Christmas present and claimed it was a bomb. It was also determined to be a hoax.

Authorities believe they may have video of the suspect's getaway vehicle.

Crime Stoppers is offering up to a $5000.00 reward for information leading to the charging and arrest of this suspect. If you have information about this case please call the Crime Stoppers tip line at 713-222-TIPS.

(Copyright ©2011 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »


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