The AlumNow series showcases former students’ post-graduation successes.
We recently caught up with Donnell Armstrong, who is now an assistant principal at W.T. White High School. Read about his educational journey at Dallas ISD and how his teachers impacted him to give back to his community.
What high school did you graduate from and what year did you graduate?
Franklin D. Roosevelt High School of Innovation in 2009.
What is your current occupation?
I am an assistant principal at W.T. White High School.
What made your Dallas ISD education unique?
It prepared me to successfully navigate through new experiences in life. Dallas ISD helped me become a well-rounded individual. The AP and acceleration courses I took at Roosevelt taught me valuable study and collaboration skills.
I learned how to remain resilient when managing rigorous coursework and working a part-time job. In my JROTC classes, I learned leadership skills that I’m able to apply today. After graduating from high school, as a first-generation college student at University of Texas at Austin, I was able to use my learnings from Dallas ISD to interact with a variety of students and professors of various backgrounds, ask for help when needed, and understand that the hard work would pay off.
What are your responsibilities as an assistant principal?
I am responsible for recruiting and supporting students who are interested in P-TECH. I also support the teachers and team members who help these students succeed at the high school and college level.
What are some career or personal highlights/accomplishments?
I’ve had the opportunity to teach English for six years at Bryan Adams High School Leadership Academy and Wilmer-Hutchins High School. My experience allowed me to present literacy-focused engagement strategies through Dallas ISD’s partnership with the Institute for Learning, and I was featured on #DallasISDatHome Vlog series.
These opportunities inspired my interest in educational leadership. With the support of Dallas ISD, I joined the Texas Principal Leadership Academy at UT Austin, where I earned my master’s degree and principal certification. As the sole representative of Dallas ISD in my TPLA cohort, a highlight of the program was receiving a personal shoutout from (then Austin ISD Superintendent) Stephanie Elizalde. I now proudly serve as the leader of W. T. White’s B-TECH program. This past school year, we graduated 78 students with associate degrees, and the program was recognized for year-over-year growth and an above-average success rate in college courses.
Who was your favorite Dallas ISD teacher or what was your favorite course?
My favorite course was JROTC because it taught me how to build camaraderie and work with others to accomplish a task. I enjoyed taking a break from the traditional classroom setting and going outside to march on the tennis court and track field. Earning higher ranks was motivational and rewarding. My JROTC instructors were strict about marching and uniforms, but they also had a sense of humor and knew how to connect with students in the classroom. They exemplified the reason why strong, supportive relationships are instrumental to student success.
What advice, if any, would you offer to students who are interested in your career field?
Dallas ISD offers programs to help you become an educator and experience the profession before you leave high school. For example, W. T. White B-TECH offers an education pathway, where students can earn an associate’s degree in education from Dallas College. Students in the program are able to work with United to Learn to tutor at local elementary schools. This is an opportunity for students to experience education “from the other side,” where they discover how rewarding and impactful the profession can be. Additionally, Dallas ISD hosts an annual Letter of Intent ceremony for P-TECH/Early College students in education pathways, which guarantees them a job in the district upon completion of the program and certification requirements.
