In this episode of Unlock 360°, host Wendy York Davoud sits down with Dr. Michael Houston, Deputy Superintendent of Instructional & Administrative Support for Channelview ISD in Texas.
With experience as a teacher, coach, AP, principal, district leader, and now deputy superintendent, Dr. Houston shares how clarity, culture, and systems alignment are transforming teaching and learning for Channelview’s 9,500 students.
From building strong Tier 1 instruction to eliminating classroom-to-classroom variation and from developing principals to expanding literacy across the community Dr. Houston offers a grounded, energetic look at what it means to serve every single student, not just some.
Key Moments
00:00 Welcome + Dr. Houston’s path from Alabama to Channelview ISD
02:20 From teacher to administrator: leading for greater impact
03:40 Coaching new and veteran teachers as a high school department chair
04:55 Learning fast as an AP on a 3,000-student campus
06:10 Becoming principal after one year as AP and growing into leadership
08:00 Transition to district leadership in Channelview ISD
09:00 The district’s North Star: creating environments where all students thrive
10:45 Literacy beyond the classroom — Channelview’s “library on wheels”
13:00 Balancing district guardrails with campus autonomy through tiered support
14:40 Inside Dr. Houston’s dissertation: culturally responsive leadership & teacher efficacy
17:50 What strong PLCs actually do: data, practice, modeling, and at-bats
Why You’ll Love This Episode
Dr. Houston brings contagious energy, deep reflection, and a crystal-clear focus on impact.You’ll hear how Channelview ISD is strengthening Tier 1 instruction, investing in principals, expanding literacy access, and building systems that ensure every student grows because expectations aren’t lowered in Channelview; supports are raised.
You’ll also love the way he breaks down what strong PLCs actually look like, not meetings for compliance, but real collaboration where teachers rehearse instruction, study student work, and build collective expertise. His framing of “you don’t go to PLC; you are a PLC” is the kind of shift that can change an entire campus.
Connect with Michael Houston
LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelhouston1881
Website: https://www.cvisd.org/
About Unlock 360°
Unlock 360° is the podcast where school leaders and instructional trailblazers reveal how they’re turning bold vision into sustainable action. Powered by Lead Teach Learn 360, each episode brings you inside the systems, strategies, and human stories that drive school improvement one leader, one learner, one breakthrough at a time.
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What is Unlock 360?
Each episode unpacks the practices, partnerships, and people behind measurable gains in student outcomes. From building collaborative leadership cultures to designing equity-driven systems, you'll hear what happens when clarity, coherence, and coaching align.
Whether you're a superintendent, campus leader, or classroom educator, Unlock 360 offers fresh insights, practical strategies, and an honest look at what it takes to create lasting impact. New episodes released biweekly.