The AlumNow series showcases former students’ post-graduation successes.
We recently caught up with Stephanie Escobar, who is now a Leadership Cadet Corps Instructor at Thomas C. Marsh Preparatory Academy. Read about her educational journey at Dallas ISD and how her teachers impacted her to give back to her community.
What high school did you graduate from and what year did you graduate?
W.T. White High School in 2014.
What is your current occupation?
I am a Leadership Cadet Corps Instructor at Thomas C. Marsh Preparatory Academy.
What made your Dallas ISD education unique?
My experience with Dallas ISD has been unique in that it has provided me with opportunities through programs that grew me and shaped me as a child and into the person that I am today. I joined the Leadership Cadet Corps at the age of 12, and it opened so many doors for me.
Our program and school did so well that it was nationally recognized on PBS for its great work in building students. I had the honor of speaking on my experiences as a student and how it impacted my life, not knowing how the L.C.C. program would continue to have a lasting effect on me as an adult.
The schools I’ve attended have always been filled with teachers and administrators who poured their hearts into their students, which made my experience with Dallas ISD so unique. The investment from teachers all around, even from teachers who did not have me directly, made me feel seen and encouraged me to push myself.
What are your responsibilities as a Leadership Cadet Corps Instructor?
As a Leadership Cadet Corps instructor, I teach our students life and leadership skills both inside and outside the classroom.
What are some career or personal highlights/accomplishments?
My most significant and personal accomplishment has been helping our students and their families. As a first-generation student, I understand the challenges of navigating the education system alone. Many of our hardworking parents struggle to support their children academically.
Drawing from my own experiences, I empathize with both students and parents. I find great fulfillment in using my background to connect with our students and their caregivers. Serving as a facilitator, I ensure our students’ needs are met while also supporting our dedicated parents as a valuable resource.
Who was your favorite Dallas ISD teacher or what was your favorite course?
My favorite Dallas ISD teachers were Ms. Ealey, Ms. Triplett, and Coach Bates. Ms. Ealey was my fourth grade teacher who helped me tremendously. She had high expectations for us, despite our neighborhood primarily being a Spanish-speaking neighborhood. Winning a writing contest made her proud, and her smile was unforgettable.
Ms. Triplett, who was Ms. Ealey’s friend, and my fifth grade teacher, kept me focused and sparked my love for writing. In middle school, Coach Bates saw potential in me. He appointed me as captain of our L.C.C. program, telling Coach Polk, “she is going to be somebody one day.” His belief in me guided my journey through high school and beyond, inspiring me to never give up on myself or my students.
What advice, if any, would you offer to Dallas ISD students?
Education is something that no one can ever take away from you. To be educated and provide education is a privilege. There is nothing that can help explain what it means to be able to reach people through education. Helping shape minds to expand their horizons is rewarding.
Teaching is a unique opportunity to not only grow students but grow as a better person overall. It helps you constantly be challenged in ways that continue to make you better. You grow within each second that you teach and the best part is that you do it collectively with parents, students, and team members.
