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MEET THE MAGNET FOR TEACHING PROFESSIONS TEAM
Jorge L. Arredondo, Principal:
In 1997, Mr. Arredondo began his teaching career at Milby High School as an ELA Teacher and later served as an Assistant Principal from 2001-2004. In 2004, he was recognized through the Association of Hispanic School Administrators as Assistant Principal of the Year. From 2005-2011, he served as Principal at McReynolds MS. He successfully brought TEA recognized status to that campus for two consecutive years. In 2007-2008, Mr. Arredondo was presented with the Wheatley Feeder Pattern Secondary Administrator of the Year and in 2010-2011, he was presented as the "Region IV Principal of the Year" for the North Region, HISD. In July 2011, he became a proud Mighty Mustang by being appointed principal at Austin High School!
Michael D. Dudas, Magnet Coordinator: Mr. Dudas joined Austin High School and the education field in December of 2007 after a long career in human resources. In the 2010-2011 school year, he was named the campus's "Teacher of the Year" along with the "Debate Coach of the Year" from the Houston Urban Debate League. While in the classroom, he taught speech, debate, theatre arts, broadcast journalism and video tech. He transitioned to Magnet Coordinator in 2011. He will complete his Master's in Higher Education next summer and is currently in the principal internship program.
Cruz Casiano, Teacher: Ms. Casiano joins the magnet team after nine years of teaching experience with the McAllen ISD and four years as an Adjunct Instructor at South Texas College in McAllen, Texas. She is currently an Education and Training Dual Credit Instructor for Stephen F. Austin High School and an Adjunct Instructor at Houston Community College. She is also the campus advisor for the local chapter of the Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) where students organize community service projects to help families and agencies in our community.
Martha J. Hinds, Teacher: A 30-year veteran, Mrs. Hinds joins the magnet team after seven years in an ELA classroom at Austin High School. She has taught throughout the country including in districts in Florida, Illinois, Ohio and Texas. Mrs. Hinds says her commitment to the Teaching Professions Magnet Program stems from the many mentors who encouraged her to try different paths in education.
Armando X. Orduņa, Teacher: Mr. Orduņa has dedicated the last 15 years to the education of the students of Houston, Texas. A native Houstonian, he spent the first seven years of his career extending outreach programs through the education department of The Children's Museum of Houston. Mr. Orduņa joined the Austin team in August 2012. He serves on the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Teacher Advisory Council and was honored as a national Champion of Change at the White House in the fall of 2012.
Cavan Leerkamp, UH liason:
Mr. Leerkamp is our liason between the University of Houston and Austin High School Teaching Professions Magnet Program. He is currently working on his Doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction with a focus on the relationship between art collaborations and student efficacy. While teaching art for the past eight years his passion has been in developing large-scale community art projects. He has participated in Houston Art Car Parade, worked with Via Colori, and brought student collaborations to the Contemporary Art Museum, Lawndale Center, and The Jung Center. One of his proudest art moments was, with the help of 40 students, completing a 1000 square ft mural in just two days. Mr.Leerkamp is very excited about being involved in strengthening the relationship between the University of Houston and the young teachers of Austin High School.
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