Adrian Garcia’s love of flying and airplanes fully took off while enrolled in Skyline High School’s aviation pathway. After high school, he got his bachelor’s degree in aviation management and pilot’s license–racking up more than 100 flying hours–and embraced a love of flying drones, starting his own business in aerial photography/videography. He joined Brookhaven College as an instructor to help build their drone aviation program, and when he heard about an opportunity teaching aviation at one of Dallas ISD’s new career institutes, he jumped on board. “I love getting to spread my knowledge as a teacher; it’s a fulfilling career,” Garcia…

Citing his leadership navigating the school district’s students, families, and employees through the challenges created by the coronavirus pandemic, Dallas Business Journal has named Dallas ISD Superintendent Michael Hinojosa one of its Most Inspiring Leaders of 2020. Among Hinojosa’s accomplishments lauded in the award are his collaboration with the Texas Education Agency, the governor, county and health officials to maintain instruction in the early weeks of the pandemic, developing a plan to bring employees back and open schools in a safe environment, playing a leading role as an advocate for connectivity for students, and working to establish the delivery of…

“In the most recent update from the county health authorities, no recommendation was made for schools beyond ensuring that they continue to follow safety protocols. While Dallas ISD is taking extraordinary measures to ensure the safety of students, at this time a 100% return to virtual learning is not an option per Texas Educational Agency guidelines. To request a waiver to extend virtual learning beyond the first four weeks of instruction, Dallas ISD would have needed to apply by Oct. 5, when the county was at the orange level of infections. The agency now has restrictive requirements for districts to…