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…

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 Vivian Chandler Fairley, Emmett J. Conrad High School. Hailing from Pleasant Grove, Vivian Chandler Fairley is a first-generation college graduate. She received a bachelor’s in History and Political Science as well as a master’s in Curriculum and Instruction and a master’s in Education Administration from Texas A&M University-Commerce. She is a transformational leader skilled in serving students in underserved communities. As a champion for scholars, Fairley believes that all children should receive…

Dallas ISD celebrates teaching excellence by recognizing outstanding educators who are making a difference in the lives of students every day. Meet 2022-2023 Teacher of the Year finalist Nancy Salas, Henry W. Longfellow Career Exploration Academy. Nancy Salas, a Dallas ISD alumna, is a seventh- and eighth-grade Career & Technology teacher and yearbook advisor at Henry W. Longfellow Career Exploration Academy. After graduating from the University of Texas at Arlington with a bachelor’s in Mass Communications, Salas began her education career as a substitute teacher. It was during that experience that she found her true calling and decided to devote…