Houston Endowment

Opportunity shouldn't depend on chance. For too many kids in Houston, it still does.

Instead, opportunity should be built by design, a message Houston Endowment President and CEO Elisa Villanueva Beard shared at the Houston East End Chamber of Commerce's Education Symposium earlier this month.

Right now, only 1 in 5 Houston high school graduates earns a living wage within six years of graduation. Villanueva Beard highlighted Houston’s community colleges as a major opportunity for the region to connect students to family-sustaining careers in high-demand industries.

“We don’t want to live in a city where young people do all the right things and still only have a one in five chance of making a living,” she said. “That is not the Houston we are building.”

What does it take to build a stronger teacher workforce? Across Texas, districts are finding the answer.

Schools are investing in a mix of solutions—paid residencies, mentorship models, and grow-your-own programs that begin in high school. They're working alongside grantees such as Deans for Impact to strengthen and expand these pathways.

Early data suggests progress—with more teachers earning certification and fewer entering classrooms without it.

Link in the comments.

We're thrilled that Kaylan Connally has joined our team as a program officer for education. She will be leading work focused on postsecondary success and pathways to family-sustaining careers. Please join us in welcoming her to Houston Endowment!