Dallas ISD teacher Eric Hale will share his perspective on education as one of 12 Texas teachers to meet Dec. 13 in Austin with Gov. Greg Abbott and members of an education task force.
The roundtable discussion will include the teachers’ thoughts about recruiting and retaining effective teachers, but also cover other topics.
Hale, a third-grade math teacher at David G. Burnet Elementary School, himself struggled his first year as an educator, but has since become one of the district’s Top 100 teachers.
Earlier this year, he was named one of 10 national finalists for the Fishman Prize for Superlative Classroom Practice, a $25,000 award to recognize the nation’s most effective teachers working at high-need public schools.
“I plan on addressing the issues that I feel affect student achievement the most: The Teachers,” Hale said. “We must do a better job of preparing students in educational programs in colleges in Texas so they can thrive in their first year of teaching instead of surviving it. We must do a better job of implementing research-based professional development to grow exemplary teachers versus settling for proficient ones.”
Hale said he was humbled when he learned of his invitation to represent Dallas ISD in the discussion.
“I am an African American teacher who serves a predominantly Hispanic student population and community, I represent students who sometimes are voiceless when it comes to education issues and policies that may impact the community negatively,” he said. “I am excited and encouraged that Gov. Abbott wants to find solutions to roadblocks that are stopping all Texas Students from reaching their educational potential.”
