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Tina Hovance, from one of the largest school districts in Texas (Katy ISD), discusses her role as the secondary science coordinator and the implementation of new Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS). She emphasizes the importance of planning, mentorship, and community support for new teachers, especially in a diverse district with a large emergent bilingual population. The conversation also touches on the potential of AI in education and the need for policies to guide its use. In this conversation, Dave and Tina Hovance discuss the challenges and opportunities presented by technology and AI in education. They explore how schools can adapt to rapid advancements, the importance of fostering curiosity and critical thinking in students, and the need for educators to connect with real scientists to inspire the next generation. Tina shares her journey from a scientist to an educator and emphasizes the importance of preparing students for uncertain futures by focusing on foundational skills in science and critical thinking.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tina-hovance/
X: https://x.com/SecScienceKISD
ABOUT TINA
Tina Hovance is a research scientist turned educator who now serves as the Secondary Science Coordinator for Katy Independent School District in Katy, Texas. Over the past 25 years in education—as a teacher, instructional coach, and now district leader—she is driven to transform science classrooms into spaces where curiosity drives learning and every student develops scientific literacy.
In her current role, Tina leads the design and implementation of secondary science curriculum, instructional support systems, and professional learning that equips teachers to deliver three-dimensional, phenomenon-driven instruction. She fosters a spirit of collaboration by partnering with teachers to build a culture of engaging science teaching and learning across the district.
Tina is passionate about amplifying her impact and influence. She serves on the board of the Texas Science Education Leadership Association, contributing to statewide efforts to elevate science education through advocacy, leadership development, and networking. A frequent professional development presenter at local, state, and national conferences, she speaks on topics ranging from inquiry-based learning to data-literacy and science leadership. She is also a published author in National Science Teaching Association’s NextGen Navigator and Computers in the Schools.
Outside of education, Tina recharges through reading, running, and traveling with her family.
