Collegiate academy sophomores get letters of intent to teach in Dallas ISD

Seventy Dallas ISD collegiate academy sophomores received a letter of a lifetime on Feb. 5: after they get their college degree, they are guaranteed a teaching job in Dallas ISD with a starting salary of at least $52,000.

District officials gave the letters of intent at a ceremony to the sophomores who attend the collegiate academies at Samuell, W.T. White, Bryan Adams and Sunset high schools. The Dallas ISD Human Capital Management (HCM) Department is an industry partner of the collegiate academies that have an emphasis on early childhood education. HCM Chief Cynthia Wilson called the new “homegrown teacher pipeline” a win-win for the students and district.

“This creates enormous opportunity for these students to earn a great starting salary and have a positive impact with their lives,” Wilson said. “But more importantly, this will create and bring back talented bilingual teachers to Dallas ISD who will serve our communities and help our kids reach their full potential.”

For W.T. White High School Collegiate Academy sophomore Kimberly, the event marked one of the biggest days of her life.

“This is a big chance for my life to be able to work as a teacher and make a difference,” she said. “I had never seen myself before as someone who can inspire students and change lives. Now I know I can.”

Through a partnership with the Dallas County Community College District and University of North Texas at Dallas, Dallas ISD collegiate academies provide the opportunity for students to earn up to 60 hours of college credit or an associate degree–tuition free–while still in high school. In addition to seven traditional Early College High Schools, Dallas ISD’s collegiate academy program now includes 18 Pathway to Technology Early College High Schools or P-TECHs, each of which has higher education and career industry partners.