Tory Hill, Superintendent, Channelview Independent School District (ISD)

In an interview with Invest:, Tory Hill, superintendent of Channelview ISD, discussed workforce development, career readiness, teacher recruitment, and the district’s role in supporting Houston’s economic growth. “We’re consistently putting systems in place to increase the percentage of students who are able to earn a livable wage in Houston by 2041,” Hill said.

What have been the most significant changes or trends affecting Channelview ISD over the past year?

One of the driving trends for us has been increasing the percentage of students who leave us college, career, and military ready. We want to make certain that when our students graduate, they are prepared for whichever path they choose, whether that is college, the workforce, or military service. That focus has produced strong results. We are proud that 97% of our class of 2026 students are leaving us college, career, and military ready, which is above the state average.

How are you balancing new public education funding opportunities with ongoing budget challenges?

We have been intentional about understanding the new state funding mechanisms. While there are new revenue streams available, there are also requirements attached to them.

Our team spends a great deal of time studying those opportunities and ensuring we understand the guidelines so we can access available resources. One example is the College, Career, and Military Readiness Outcomes Bonus, which rewards districts based on student outcomes after graduation. We focus on understanding those metrics and aligning our work so we can support both student success and our local economy.

How is Houston’s growth influencing your priorities around workforce and career readiness?

One of our primary goals is ensuring students can work, live, and play right here in Houston. That means preparing them to earn a livable wage and build successful lives in the community.

To support that goal, we have expanded our career and technical education programs and aligned them with local workforce needs. Health sciences remain a major area of focus because of Houston’s medical sector. Engineering and welding are also important pathways.

Because Channelview is located along the Ship Channel, we are exploring opportunities in maritime and logistics as well. We have also invested in hospitality and culinary arts programs to reflect the growth of tourism and major events in the region.

Our objective is to ensure students can earn industry-based certifications and enter careers that are in demand throughout the Houston area.

How are you partnering with local employers?

Partnerships are essential to our work. I stay actively involved with the Chamber of Commerce and spend time with local business leaders to better understand workforce needs.

We also maintain a career and technical education advisory board made up of business and industry partners who provide feedback on our programs.

Some of our strongest partnerships include LyondellBasell, GE Vernova, and the Port of Houston. These organizations help us understand industry trends, provide opportunities for students, and strengthen the connection between education and employment.

What is most important is that these partnerships produce results. Our students are being hired by local employers, participating in internships, and gaining real-world experiences that prepare them for future careers. We want a direct connection between what students learn in school and the opportunities available in the workforce.

How are you preparing students and teachers for emerging technologies such as AI?

The foundation remains soft skills. We want students who can communicate, collaborate, solve problems, and demonstrate resilience when faced with challenges. Those skills are embedded into our learning environments every day through real-world experiences and project-based learning opportunities.

We are also helping teachers learn how to use emerging technologies effectively. Over the last several years, we have focused on creating clear guidance around AI and supporting teachers as they incorporate those tools into instruction.

We have benefited from a blended learning grant that allowed a cohort of teachers to become leaders in this work. They continue to help other educators learn how to use new technologies responsibly and effectively.

We also participate in collaborations with other school districts so we can continue learning and adapting. Education is changing rapidly, and we want both students and teachers to be prepared for what comes next.

What are you doing to attract, retain, and develop educators?

I believe retention starts at home. One of our most important strategies is our Grow Your Own initiative.

We recently partnered with San Jacinto College to launch a P-TECH program focused on developing future educators. Students enter the program in high school, earn college credit, complete an associate degree, and continue toward a bachelor’s degree. Upon successful completion, they are guaranteed a teaching position in Channelview ISD.

That creates a powerful pipeline because students can graduate, complete their education, and return to serve the community where they grew up.

We also offer an education pathway through our career and technical education program. Students can earn credentials that prepare them to become teaching assistants and continue pursuing teaching careers.

In addition, we are using available state funding to support paraprofessionals who want to become certified teachers. By investing in people who already live and work in our community, we can strengthen our long-term workforce.

There is tremendous value in having educators who grew up in Channelview return to serve the next generation. One of our recent valedictorians came back to teach in the district, and that speaks volumes about the culture of our community.

What makes Channelview ISD stand out to families?

What makes our community special is that we are one big family. We are a diverse community, and we embrace that diversity. We work hard to ensure students are seen, valued, and supported for who they are. We also focus on personalizing learning experiences so students receive the support they need to succeed.

Channelview is a close-knit community, and we strive to meet families where they are and respond to their needs.

What are your top priorities for the next three to five years?

We’re consistently putting systems in place to increase the percentage of students who are able to earn a livable wage in Houston by 2041. That remains our central focus.

Achieving that goal requires strong partnerships. We are continuing to strengthen relationships with universities so students can transition smoothly into higher education. We are also expanding partnerships with employers to increase access to internships, jobs, and career opportunities.

Another priority is supporting the whole child. We want students to feel safe, supported, cared for, and empowered. Those foundational elements create the environment necessary for learning and long-term success.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

One of the things that is extremely important for us is focusing on two major bookends. The first is ensuring students can read at grade level by third grade. Early literacy is critical because students learn to read in the early years and then begin reading to learn.

The second bookend is college, career, and military readiness. When those two priorities are in place, they create a strong foundation for everything else we do as a school district.

My responsibility is to make certain our students leave us empowered to thrive.