The Victoria County Groundwater Conservation District (VCGCD), in collaboration with the University of Houston-Victoria (UHV) and Victoria ISD (VISD), proudly provided conservation education and teacher professional development (PD) for middle school and high school science teachers this past week.
The program aims to equip teachers with essential knowledge and skills in water resource conservation, enhancing their ability to educate students on this critical topic. Nine science teachers from VISD were selected to participate in this enriching program. The training sessions took place across multiple venues, including Invista Wetlands, Riverside Park, The Clements Ranch, and UHV, offering a diverse range of learning environments.
During the PD, teachers engaged in hands-on activities such as collecting water samples, observing hydrologic processes, and exploring the differences between surface water and groundwater. Site visits to Riverside Park and a water well site provided practical experiences that teachers can bring back to their classrooms. Additionally, participants were trained on effective classroom instruction methods using 3D watershed and aquifer models.
A highlight of the workshop was a presentation by UHV faculty on advanced technologies in water resource management, including artificial intelligence and machine learning. This session provided teachers with cutting-edge insights into the future of water conservation.
Participating VISD Teachers:
Leslie Ortiz, STEM Middle School
Brandi Lyston, STEM Middle School
Alicia Mouser, Howell Middle School
Sharon Holochwost, Howell Middle School
Candace Helms, Howell Middle School
Rose Reyes, Patti Welder Middle School
Heather Meiers, Cade Middle School
Daisy Garcia, Victoria West High School
Trey Aley, Victoria West High School
By participating in this professional development program, VISD is actively living out its district strategic plan's Talent Development Finding and direction: "We will be deliberately developmental to ensure all staff and students have deeper learning experiences as they diversify their skillset." The collaborative effort between VCGCD, UHV, and VISD underscores the importance of community partnerships in advancing educational excellence and environmental stewardship, while also emphasizing the district's commitment to providing developmental opportunities that enhance the skillsets of both educators and students.