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…

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 Jonatan Joshua Cruz Cardona, School for the Talented and Gifted in Pleasant Grove. Jonatan Cruz is the dual language instructional lead teacher and reading language arts teacher at the School for the Talented and Gifted in Pleasant Grove. Cruz has a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Puerto Rico in Río Pedras. He first taught at Bishop Arts STEAM Academy. His skills allowed him to become part of the “STAG…