The Texas K-12 CTO Council announced today, in recognition of his efforts championing the state-wide Operation Connectivity initiative, Superintendent Michael Hinojosa, is the winner of the Empowered Superintendent Award. Each year, the Council selects a superintendent who has promoted and supported innovative uses of technology in their district. The award considers categories of leadership, innovative projects, collaboration, and district awards and recognitions. Thanks to Hinojosa, not only does Dallas ISD remain at the forefront of twenty-first-century education and the conversion to digital learning, but at a critical moment, he pushed for increased access to technology across Texas, to level the…

With a student population that speaks more than 40 different languages and comes from across the world, Sam Tasby Middle School Principal Audrey de la Cruz worries every day about the long-term learning effects the pandemic could have on her students. Many students come into Tasby from across the globe needing to learn the English language. De la Cruz said the learning difficulties caused by the pandemic since last spring, added to the challenges her students already face, make her worry about how her students can catch up after the pandemic ends. But one possibility gives her hope: a Dallas…

Do you have questions about Dallas ISD’s plans to mitigate learning loss? Join Dallas ISD leaders at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 21, in a TeleTown Hall meeting to learn more about the district’s efforts to mitigate learning loss by adding learning time for students who have been disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Dallas ISD families should receive a call to participate, but if they don’t, visit www.dallasisd.org/timetolearn to listen along and to learn more details.

Note: The Judge Barefoot Sanders Law Magnet is among the Dallas ISD specialty schools and programs currently accepting student applications through Feb. 7. Learn more and apply here. The inauguration ceremony of Joseph Biden and Kamala Harris became a real-world learning opportunity for students at Judge Barefoot Sanders Law Magnet. More than 30 students joined teacher Manuel Benzvi’s virtual classroom, where he played clips of the inauguration and asked questions that evoked critical thinking. “We’re a law magnet where we study government. So this is our bread and butter. The students are very interested in these subjects,” Benzvi said. “And…