LU News Archive

Education hosts American Education Week reception, speaker

HD Chambers The Lamar University College of Education and Human Development will celebrate American Education Week, Monday, November 13, with an event recognizing Southeast Texas educators and invites area teachers and administrators to a reception.

The event will begin with Hors D’oeuvres at 5:30 p.m. at LU’s Center for Innovation, Commercialization and Entrepreneurship on the corner of Rolfe Christopher and Jim Gilligan Way.

American Education Week presents all Americans with opportunity to celebrate public education and honor individuals who are making a difference in ensuring that every child receives a quality education.

The college has invited PK-12 teachers and administrators to join in the celebration featuring guest speaker HD Chambers, superintendent for Alief ISD, on the “State of PK-12 in Texas.”

Superintendent Chambers has devoted the past 30 years to public education in Texas. Prior to taking on the leadership role as Superintendent of Schools for Alief in the spring of 2011, Chambers served as superintendent for Stafford Municipal School District. He has also taught in the Aldine ISD and served in various administrative roles in the Cypress-Fairbanks ISD.

He serves on many boards as a member and an officer, and was the only superintendent to receive the Friends of Public Schools Ambassador of the Year in 2013-2014, 2014 Superintendent of the Year for Region 4, 2014 and the Region 4 Special Honoree Award for 2015. Region 4 serves a seven-county area composed of 50 school districts and 50 charter schools, representing more than 1.1 million students, 84,000 educators, and 1,600 campuses. Chambers also received the Children at Risk Voice for Children Award as well as the Rhosine Fleming Outstanding Counselor Advocate Award from the Texas School Counselor Association.

He obtained his bachelor’s degree from Lamar University, a master’s degree from Sam Houston State University, and his superintendent certification from Stephen F. Austin State University. He and his wife Leah are the parents of two children, Rachel and Trey.

Posted on Fri, November 03, 2017 by Brian Sattler

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About American Education Week

The observance was created following World War I as "an educational week ... observed in all communities annually for the purpose of informing the public of the accomplishments and needs of the public schools and to secure the cooperation and support of the public in meeting those needs."

American Education Week was first observed in 1921 with the National Education Association and American Legion as cosponsors. A year later, the then U.S. Office of Education joined as a cosponsor, and the PTA followed in 1938.

Other co-sponsors are the U.S. Department of Education and national organizations including the National PTA, the American Legion, the American Legion Auxiliary, the American Association of School Administrators, the National School Boards Association, the American Federation of Teachers, the American School Counselor Association, the Council of Chief State School Officers, the National School Public Relations Association, the National Association of State Boards of Education, the National Association of Elementary School Principals, and the National Association of Secondary School Principals.