Inside Dallas ISD

At Dallas ISD, students get to be rock stars for a few minutes.  That’s how Seagoville High School modern band and fine arts director, Rodney Dittmar explained the experience of students coming together for the Dallas ISD Modern Band All-City Jam. Now in its 13th year, it has been an annual tradition since 2011. It’s an honor that schools from all over the district come out to Seagoville and showcase the work they’ve been doing, Dittmar said. The schools who participated in the Modern Band All-City Jam were: Emmett J. Conrad High School Daniel Webster Elementary School Martha Turner Reilly…

Imagine what it would be like to have a career day, where professionals and community members visit a school to share their experiences not just one day a year but on a regular basis. Associate superintendent Nancy Bernardino, who was the founding principal of the school and the late Jennifer Turner, the founding assistant principal, came up with Wisdom Wednesdays, also known as Wonder Woman Wednesdays, and Fierce Female Fridays. “To believe that they have potential in STEM and careers that are in leadership, they need to be able to see women who look like them almost on a weekly…

From adopting new curricula to administration changes, Sunset High School continues to evolve, but two teachers –  Valarie Nichols and Stephanie Blankenship – are a constant source of support to students, and have been, for more than three decades. As English teachers, they are committed to encouraging students to overcome obstacles and achieve their full potential.   “Adapting to changes has been challenging, especially with the increasing emphasis on standardized tests,” Nichols said. As Nichols reflects on becoming campus “Teacher of the Year” and being recognized in “Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers,” she says her proudest accomplishments extend beyond accolades. Blankenship…

A torn ACL injury her junior year in high school inspired Bianca Broughton to become an athletic trainer. It was her high school athletic trainer who helped her with rehabilitation and therapy and that’s what sparked her interest.  Now, Broughton, an athletic trainer at Moisés E. Molina High School, is paying it forward with her students.  “One of my favorite things is having the opportunity to mentor the kids that we have on campus– to show them that they can go into the world and do bigger and better things,” she said.  In fact, Broughton inspired some of her past…