Page 5 - TTMNFall2023

Leadership
Teaching Today Minnesota | Fall 2023 Page 5

St. Paul Educator Michael Houston is 2023 Minnesota Teacher of the Year

his mother with help from his grandparents,
Houston was the first in his family to gradu-
ate from college, first earning a bachelor’s
degree in St. Paul, and then going on to earn
a master’s degree from Hamline University.
In addition to teaching at Harding, Houston
also works as adjunct professor teaching
math classes to prospective elementary
teachers.
Houston’s 19-year career at Harding
includes 18 years as a football coach — 10
of which he was head coach. At Harding,
Houston is the mathematics department
chair, a learning team facilitator and union
Michael Houston, a mathematics steward.
teacher at Harding High School in Saint “Teaching is important to me because math teacher who previously worked with creating classroom community. In the wake
Paul Public Schools, is the 2023 Minnesota I get to help shape, form, and mold the Houston at Harding and served with him on of the pandemic and the ongoing trauma our
Teacher of the Year. academic minds of the students in my class- the SPPS district mathematics team. “His Harding students have endured, my goal
Houston is the 59th recipient of the room. In my time here at Harding, being ability to engage all students, particularly every day is to make sure they have fun in
prestigious award, and the fifth from the able to witness students’ growth academi- students of color, is exceptional; partly due their learning and know they are loved.”
St. Paul district, to be named Minnesota cally and athletically has been the most to his lived experiences as a teacher of color Courtesy of Education Minnesota and
Teacher of the Year. Houston is a two-time amazing. I have been very fortunate to have and to his determination to help all students St. Paul Public Schools
finalist for the award, also having been built community, a trusting atmosphere, and achieve success. He meets students where
named a finalist in 2017. An independent an enjoyable learning experience within my they are and inspires them to learn deeply.
selection committee representing Minnesota classroom for many students over my 19 His passion and dedication to equity and
leaders in education, business and govern- years.” culturally responsive instruction has made a www.spps.org
ment chooses the Teacher of the Year from “Michael is passionate about his stu- tremendous difference in the lives of the stu-
individuals who are nominated and who then dents and works tirelessly to engage them dents he works with every single day.”
choose to become a candidate. in the study of mathematics,” wrote Kim- Houston says his teaching philoso-
raised in a single-parent household by berley Nichols, a Gordon Parks High School phy “has always been centered upon

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