Maria “Elysa” Enriquez Sarmiento, born in Manila, Philippines, to a family of educators, completed her bachelor’s degree in psychology in her home country before moving to the U.S. She worked as a paraeducator with 3rd to 5th graders in Hayward, California, for almost two years before relocating to Dallas as an autism behavior technician at a non-profit health services provider. Joining Dallas ISD in 2016 as a student teacher at Martinez Learning Center in West Dallas, she earned an alternative teaching certificate and served as her school’s special education lead teacher and chairperson for three academic years. After acquiring her…
Author: The Hub
The Hub
Connecting you to the personalities, places and perspectives of Dallas ISD
Tres distritos escolares del norte de Texas han sido elegidos para formar parte de una colaboración estratégica con The Holdsworth Center, organización sin fines de lucro fundada por el presidente de H-E-B, Charles Butt. Los distritos escolares de Cedar Hill, Dallas y Garland han sido seleccionados para participar en esta colaboración de cinco años valorada en $18 millones que los ayudará a desarrollar su propio grupo de líderes sólidos y capacitados que crearán las condiciones en las que los maestros prosperan y todos los estudiantes obtienen lo que necesitan para triunfar. La incorporación de los tres distritos representa la más…
Three North Texas school districts in Texas have been chosen to partner with The Holdsworth Center, a nonprofit organization founded by H-E-B Chairman Charles Butt. Cedar Hill, Dallas and Garland ISDs have been selected for a five-year, $18 million strategic partnership that helps districts grow their own bench of strong, skilled leaders who create conditions in which teachers thrive and all students get what they need to succeed. The selection marks the latest expansion of The Holdsworth Partnership that is now serving 19 school districts in Texas. By 2028, the partnership is expected to reach more than 4,500 educators, including…
Jose Armendariz worked for three years at the U.S. Consulate before deciding to become a teacher to continue his family’s legacy in education. After receiving his Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Texas at El Paso, he began his career in Dallas ISD as a bilingual teacher in 2004, through the Alternative Certification Program at John J. Pershing Elementary. Now with more than 17 years at Pershing, Mr. Armendariz has had an impact in almost every teaching assignment at the campus. Since 2016, he has been a member of the Bilingual ESL Cadre, an extension of Dallas ISD’s…
Dallas ISD is spotlighting every finalist for Dallas ISD Teacher of the Year. Katie Sokol is passionate about literacy education and bridging the literacy gap that exists between affluent and low-income students. Ms. Sokol, who teaches fifth grade at Stevens Park Elementary has dedicated her career to delivering high-quality reading and writing instruction to students who are reading below grade level. She holds a Bachelor of Elementary Education from Arizona State University, a Master of Education with a focus on ESL Education from Southern Methodist University, and a Master of Arts from the Reading Specialist program at Columbia University. Principal…
A campus lead teacher and founding math teacher at CityLab High School, Mary Nunley excels as both a classroom teacher and teacher-leader. According to her principal Lynn Smith, Mary is a master at building positive relationships with colleagues and students, a talent that has earned her the trust of 100% of stakeholders on the downtown campus. She entered the teaching profession as a 2012 DFW Teach For America corps member following graduation from Lehigh University and has since earned both a Master’s in Education with a STEM focus from Southern Methodist University and a Master’s in Educational Leadership from the…
Yonathan Tadesse, who teaches algebra and college transition to 10th and 11th graders at Judge Barefoot Sanders Law Magnet, has been a pioneer in many new campus and district initiatives, serving as math chair and leading the first Link Crew program, which aims to increase attendance, decrease discipline referrals and improve academic performance. A 2014 graduate of Emory University, he tutored in Atlanta public schools throughout college and experienced firsthand the need for more Black male math teachers. Upon graduation, he became a Teach For America corps member and taught math for five years at W.W. Samuell High School, helping…
Champions for children, each in their unique fashion, these nine educators demonstrate the characteristics of knowledge, caring, devotion and professionalism that define the word “teacher.” One from each category will be named Dallas ISD Teacher of the Year in a televised announcement on May 3. Tune in to WFAA Good Morning Texas from 9–10 a.m. on May 3 to cheer for the winners, each of whom will be presented with a cash award by the district’s Teacher of the Year award sponsor, Central Market. Deputy Superintendent Susana Cordova on May 3 will also highlight the finalists and Teacher of the…
En 2003, Steven e Yvonne Morgan formaban parte del personal deportivo de Skyline High School. Steven era entrenador de la línea defensiva del equipo varsity de fútbol americano e Yvonne era asistente del entrenador deportivo. Lo que no sospechaban es que de la pasión que ambos sentían por los deportes y por ayudar a los estudiantes a triunfar nacería un amor que los llevaría a casarse en 2005. Diez y seis años después, mantienen la misma pasión por los deportes y por ayudar a los estudiantes a triunfar en Dallas ISD. Steven se graduó de Skyline High School y se…
In 2003, Steven and Yvonne Morgan were part of the athletics staff at Skyline High School. Steven was a varsity defensive line coach, and Yvonne was an assistant to the athletic trainer. Little did they know that their shared passion for athletics and empowering students to succeed would lead to a love connection that would culminate in marriage in 2005. Sixteen years later, they still love sports, and TOGETHER they are still empowering students to succeed in Dallas ISD. Steven is a proud Dallas ISD alum who graduated from Skyline. After graduation, he attended UCLA, and returned to Skyline after…