Dallas ISD celebrates teaching excellence by recognizing outstanding educators who are making a difference in the lives of students every day. Meet 2022-202 Principal of the Year finalist Gayle Rodgers, Kathlyn Joy Gilliam Collegiate Academy. Gayle Ferguson Rodgers is the founding principal of Kathlyn Joy Gilliam Collegiate Academy, an early college high school within the Choice/Magnet division. She has been an urban educator with Dallas ISD for 31 years. Her most rewarding years have been spent as a principal within early college high schools (ECHS). The ECHS program is uniquely designed to target first-generation college students, low-income youth, students of…

Dallas ISD celebrates teaching excellence by recognizing outstanding educators who are making a difference in the lives of students every day. Meet 2022-202 Principal of the Year finalist Marquetta Masters, Trinity Heights Talented and Gifted. Marquetta Masters has served as the founding principal for Trinity Heights Talented and Gifted for four years. She received her undergraduate degree from Langston University, where she graduated magna cum laude. She earned her Master’s in Educational Leadership from Texas Woman’s University and is currently pursuing a doctorate in Educational Leadership at Southern Methodist University. Masters began her Dallas ISD career as a Reading Language…

Dallas ISD celebrates teaching excellence by recognizing outstanding educators who are making a difference in the lives of students every day. Meet 2022-202 Principal of the Year finalist Shadaria Foster, Kennedy-Curry Middle School. Shadaria Foster, principal of Kennedy-Curry Academy of Modern Arts, started her education career at O.W. Holmes Middle School and later worked at Billy Earl Dade Middle School, where she was a multiyear Teacher of the Year recipient. Foster later served as assistant principal at Balch Springs Middle School, leading the English Language Arts and Reading department to distinction. She led the opening of the Young Women’s STEAM…

Dallas ISD celebrates teaching excellence by recognizing outstanding educators who are making a difference in the lives of students every day. Meet 2022-202 Principal of the Year finalist Sandra Fernandez, Nancy Cochran Elementary School. Sandra Fernandez is in her third year as principal at Nancy Cochran Elementary, her 16th year as a principal, and her 27th year with Dallas ISD. She began her career as a bilingual teacher at Peeler Elementary, followed by an assistant principalship at Cesar Chavez Learning Center, and a principalship at Bonham Elementary. At Bonham, she led her team to an award from the National Center…