The AlumNow series showcases former students’ post-graduation successes. We recently caught up with Jose Rodriguez, who is now a biomedical teacher at Bryan Adams High School Leadership Academy. Read about how his educational journey at Dallas ISD impacted him to give back to his community. What high school did you graduate from and what year did you graduate? Bryan Adams High School in 2010. What is your current occupation? I’m a biomedical teacher at Bryan Adams. What made your Dallas ISD education unique? I had teachers who truly believed in their students. At Bryan Adams, before the days of Google…

Written by Aileen C., Dallas Education Foundation Social Media and Marketing Intern Excitement was in the air at Jack Lowe Sr. Elementary School as a new vending machine was revealed on campus. But instead of the typical chips and cookies, it was filled with brand new, glossy books.  The student attendees were the first to use the machine and were given tokens to pick out their own book. Smiles lit up the room as students clutched their new personal books, excited to take them home.  Jack Lowe is the newest addition to the growing list of schools that the Dallas…

Submitted by Emily Davis from the Dallas Education Foundation Students at Margaret B. Henderson Elementary School were treated to an unforgettable experience when author Lauren Sanchez visited to read her debut children’s book, “The Fly Who Flew to Space.” The exciting literacy event was brought to Henderson through the longstanding partnership between Barnes & Noble and the Dallas Education Foundation.  “Our kids are the winners when we all work together to promote positive reading experiences,” said Patricia Alvarado Barnes, Director of Library Media Services. Over 200 students listened as Sanchez read aloud the story of Flynn, a fly with big…

Finley P. is discovering a love for reading. “It relaxes me to read,” he said. “My mom and I read before bed every night.”  A second-grader at Jesus Moroles Expressive Arts Vanguard, Finley was introduced to the world of books at his school’s library. Every month, his class goes to the library to listen to a story read aloud–and handpicked by their eighth-grade buddy.  Known as the Book Buddy Program, the idea was inspired by Adam Benoit, librarian at Moroles, and Madeline Whitacre, an eighth grade reading teacher. The two wanted to find a way to foster a love of…