Houston ISD educators named 'Champions of Change' by White House

Two Houston Independent School District educators were honored at the White House on Aug. 31.

Teacher development specialist Ben Hernandez and Austin High School teacher Armando Ordua were named Champions of Change for their efforts to improve the lives of Hispanic youth.

Hernandez and Ordua were nominated for the honor by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, which also handpicked them to be members of its inaugural Teacher Advisory Council earlier this year, according to a press release.

"I don't even know how to feel yet," said Hernandez in the release. "I was just excited that they had created this award to honor the hard work and the success that teachers experience. HISD is very progressive and aggressive, so I think in a lot of ways, it can turn national eyes on us to see what we're doing right."

Several Austin High School staff members and students watched a live feed of the award ceremony on the White House website.

Austin High School is located at 1700 Dumble St. in Houston.

For more information, call 713-924-1600 or visit www.hs.houstonisd.org/austinhs.