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Departments

Windham has numerous hardworking departments that collaborate to achieve district success. Each department specializes in an area that contributes to the daily operations of the district, resulting in staff and student success.

Assessment, Advisement & Records

The Assessment, Advisement & Records (AA&R) department is essential in aiding the routine operations of all Windham School District (Windham) campuses. Responsibilities include all High School Equivalency (HSE) and Tests of Adult Basic Education (TABE®) testing and assessment support for all student advisors, principals and testing staff. The department supports campus staff in testing processes, including intake assessments for all new residents, annual assessments for students and testing for all HSE certificates. All Windham campuses are approved as secure testing sites and meet the guidelines and standards set forth by the Texas Education Agency (TEA), Pearson Virtual University Enterprises and General Education Development (GED®) Testing Service.  

AA&R also serves as the custodian of student records, maintaining educational records for all current and former Windham students. AA&R works closely with education agencies across the country to verify educational records and achievements of students. Staff members respond to records requests from current and former students, as well as subpoenas when received from the legal community.  

The department ensures all student advisors are trained and able to serve their respective campuses in order to seamlessly meet the needs of the students. In addition, conferences are held annually to provide further training, updates and support, enhancing performance and the integrity of the department and campuses.  

In addition, AA&R oversees the High School program. 

Contact: 

Felicia Johnson
Assessment, Advisement & Records Administrator

936-291-5343

 

Apprenticeship/OJT

In partnership with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ), Windham School District develops hands-on training and classroom instruction through Work Certification, On-the-Job Training (OJT) and Apprenticeship programs. This enables students to earn applied job experience and certifications, and equips them with skills to succeed in today’s workforce. Through this partnership and these three programs, students have multiple opportunities to gain employment in their fields of training upon reentry. These programs are essential to providing students with the knowledge and job experience necessary to increase career readiness, maintain employment and advance within an occupation upon reentry.  

Contact: 

Charlene Moriarty
Apprenticeship/OJT Administrator

936-291-5304 

Business Services

The Business Services department strives to improve district operations through sound fiscal management practices and ensures fiscal responsibility through compliance with all applicable laws, regulations and internal policies and procedures. The department provides financial support to the district by facilitating financial planning, management and reporting. Specifically, the department oversees transactions relating to accounting, accounts payable, budget, payroll, purchasing, the Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) Program and warehousing. The department also provides training related to these areas to promote a partnership between the Business Office and district staff and to provide district staff with the tools and resources needed to make sound financial decisions.  

Contact:

Michelle Owen
Department Director of Business Services

936-291-5365

Trina Hodge (Accounting, Fixed Assets, P-Card, Purchasing, Warehouse): 936-291-5376

Michelle Lewis (Accounts Payable, Budget, Motor Pool, Payroll, Travel): 936-291-5381

 
 

Career and Technical Education

Windham School District’s career and technical education (CTE) programs equip students with the necessary skills, training and experience to succeed in the workforce upon reentering their communities. Utilizing hands-on training, classroom instruction and industry-based certifications, Windham aims to decrease recidivism rates by supplying students with increased experience and employment opportunities. Students that complete Windham CTE programs are 2.3% less likely to return to incarceration and 10% more likely to retain employment.  

A combination of academics, technical training and workforce preparation is imperative for students to navigate today’s workforce. Windham follows the Integrated Education and Training model by matching students to their career of interest and enrolling them in academic and technical training simultaneously. Through incorporation of essential industry components into classroom instruction, Windham is producing increased student success. With approximately 40 CTE programs offered, Windham programs provide students with the ability to navigate a workplace and industry setting. In addition, the district utilizes curriculum built around Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills, Workforce Education Course Manual and industry standards, standardized testing and safety training to promote success. CTE students have the opportunity to earn industry-based certifications, as well as Windham completion certificates.  

Windham CTE teachers are trained experts in their fields and offer vital technical and soft skills training for students to flourish on the job. Instructors not only provide essential work-related preparation, but they also help students master crucial skills and capabilities such as problem solving, effective communication and time management.  

Contact:

Ted Watts
CTE Administrator

936-355-7774

College and Career Readiness

The College and Career Readiness department is tasked with coordinating district efforts in developing college partnerships, identifying employment opportunities for students and coordinating with regulatory and agency partners concerning occupational licensing. The department supports administrative and campus staff regarding college and career readiness standards, workforce and labor market trends and student advisement and recruitment processes.

The College and Career Readiness department coordinates with the district’s Assessment, Advisement and Records department to ensure understanding and awareness of postsecondary education programs, student advisement and recruitment objectives and operational processes. This department is also responsible for executing agreements for the award of prior learning credit and dual-credit programs. College and Career Readiness coordinates with the district’s Apprenticeship, On-the-Job Training and CTE programs to ensure understanding and awareness of employment related concerns of transitioning students to the workforce.

The department works in coordination with state agencies such as Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and Texas Workforce Commission in establishing processes and supporting the implementation of workforce and postsecondary initiatives. The department is also establishing policies and procedures for the district’s Integrated Education and Training (IET) programs and progression of students into postsecondary education.

Contact:

Ashley Koonce
College and Career Readiness Administrator

936-662-0792

Communications

The Communications department serves Windham School District by establishing and promoting communication across the district on a multitude of mediums. Communications staff cover a wide range of responsibilities, such as the publishing of the monthly newsletter, Annual Performance Report (APR), press releases, social media, media requests, website management, and visuals such as brochures and infographics. The department promotes the district to stakeholders through positive public relations by sharing newsworthy information about the district and emphasizing successes.

The Communications department also works closely with the Correction Education Association (CEA) Council of Education Directors (Council), with Windham’s Superintendent, Kristina J. Hartman Ed.S., serving as President and Texas representative and the district’s Communications Administrator serving as Secretary.

This Council, composed of Correctional Education Directors across the nation, collaborates to provide best practices, process-improvement strategies and networking to ensure high-quality educational opportunities are available to individuals during incarceration.

Windham’s Communications department also oversees the ECHO, the newspaper that is written by, and distributed to, all TDCJ residents, as well as community subscribers. The ECHO is supervised by a managing editor, published 10 times a year and is regulated by the district through a memorandum of understanding with TDCJ.  

Contact:

Danielle Nicholes
Communications Administrator

936-291-5392

Human Resources

The Human Resources (HR) department works diligently to support all district employees. By incorporating innovative strategies, HR staff members are able to enhance existing approaches and implement updated methods for recruitment, talent management, employee selections, position classification, compensation and benefits, and employee relations.  

The department collaborates with existing administrators and campus staff to recruit new employees. Recruitment methods include partnering with Education Service Centers across the state, the Texas Workforce Commission and utilizing social media.  

Contact:

Maggie Lima
HR Administrator

936-291-5310

Information Technology

The Information Technology (IT) department provides reliable and secure technology solutions by developing, deploying and maintaining services in support of the district’s mission. The department provides students and staff with equipment and resources for successful educational opportunities and advancement.  

The department consists of three functional areas to support the district and students: the help desk and network specialist staff, located in Huntsville and at six area offices, support district employees and maintain all IT equipment for personnel and the campus academic, career and technical education and computer labs across the state. The Infrastructure and Network team administers virtual and physical servers, switches, routers and other network devices while also maintaining endpoint security, email filtering and archiving as well as equipment upgrades. The application development group continues to create, maintain and improve web and desktop-based applications for district personnel, as well as maintain and create user-friendly reports and dashboards to support Windham in meeting its mission.  

Contact: 

Cesar Trevino
IT Administrator

936-291-5134

Library Services

Through the library, patrons are able to prepare themselves for successful reentry into their communities by utilizing the knowledge and resources available. Windham library staff also coordinate and monitor donated libraries. Digital catalogs have been implemented into campus libraries to assist patrons with locating books. 

Contact:

Rebecca Gillen
Library Services Administrator

936-291-5384

Operational Support

The Operational Support Department serves the district by monitoring, tracking and examining student performance. The department administers program evaluation initiatives related to student enrollment, attendance and achievement reporting. The daily operations also include monitoring compliance standards and coordinating the Individualized Treatment Plan (ITP) guidelines. The department organizes research initiatives to evaluate the effectiveness of district programs, including performance-based information and data related to academic, Career and Technical Education (CTE) and life skills programs. 

The Operational Support department collaborates with external entities such as TDCJ, privately operated prisons, the Correctional Education Association (CEA), the American Correctional Association (ACA), Texas Education Agency (TEA) and the Texas Workforce Investment Council (TWIC) to analyze data and reports to assess the ongoing performance of the district.  

Contact: 

Charles Bell
Department Director of Operational Support

936-291-4624 

Professional Development

The Professional Development department is consistently working to form a strong relationship with all of the Windham departments. This includes providing staff with professional development opportunities, helping employees grow in their profession and enhancing their knowledge and skills in order to better serve our students. On top of partnering with all departments within the district, the Professional Development department also supports staff with essential training needs, whether it be curriculum or assistance with training dynamics. The Professional Development department sets clear and defined standards, roles and expectations that allow all departments to be successful. 

Contact: 

Mario Cotton
Professional Development Administrator

936-291-4663 

Recreation and Wellness

The Recreation and Wellness department provides health and wellness opportunities for staff and residents based on the eight dimensions of wellness. The dimensions include: physical, intellectual, spiritual, environmental, occupational, emotional, financial and social wellness.  

To encourage staff to improve their overall health and to boost morale across the district, the Recreation and Wellness department provides monthly, quarterly and annual wellness challenges. The department also provides educational outreach and activities to residents encompassing the eight dimensions of wellness, with a focus on nutrition and healthier eating habits. In conjunction with the wellness lessons, residents are afforded the opportunity to participate in various intramural events to encourage increased physical activity.  

In addition, the Recreation and Wellness department provides activities for residents in the housing area day rooms such as Scrabble, dominoes, chess, checkers, bingo events and more to encourage a sense of community.  

By developing and increasing opportunities for staff and residents, the Recreation and Wellness department aims to improve health and wellness outcomes across the state.  

Contact: 


Special Education and Federal Programs

The Special Education and Federal Programs department is working to increase educational and transitional services for youthful learners and students in restrictive housing. Through collaboration with the Texas Workforce Commission-Vocational Rehabilitation, Windham is developing partnerships to address student transition needs. The district aims to partner with art therapists and other community-based programs to help motivate and encourage students currently in restrictive housing, along with youthful learners. Partnerships with outside agencies and groups provide sustainable resources to eliminate barriers to successful reentry into their community.  

Contact: 

Dr. Stephanie Dominique
Special Education and Federal Programs Administrator

936-291-5139