Inside Dallas ISD

We have a winner! Tristan Whitfield, a fifth grader at Paul L. Dunbar Learning Center, claimed first place Friday in Dallas ISD’s 30th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Oratory Competition. Tristan and seven other fourth and fifth graders competed in the finals of the competition, which is co-sponsored each year by the law firm Foley & Lardner LLP and the school district. Jaliaha Rodgers,  a fifth grader at J.P. Starks Math, Science, and Technology Vanguard, captured second place this year, and Arianna Garcia, a fifth grader at L.L. Hotchkiss Elementary School, claimed third. The student winners, and all the participants,…

David Newhouse, an AP Human Geography teacher at Thomas Jefferson High School, is one of 78 educators to receive the American Geographical Society’s 2021 Educator GeoBoost Grant. The grants are designed to enhance geographic learning among Advanced Placement Human Geography students.  Newhouse’s $300 award will fund the Albert.io app for exam study. When asked about his idea to boost his students’ geographic education, the teacher explained, “GeoBoost will be used to purchase advanced AP Human Geography apps to ensure that students can obtain a mastery of the subject!” Dr. John Konarski, CEO of the society, said, “The American Geographical Society…

Wilmer-Hutchins Elementary School teacher James Mims’ life calling is supporting marginalized communities, specifically students receiving special education services who are also English language learners. Seeing that these students were often overlooked, Mims transitioned four years ago from a general education to a special education teacher helping English language learners. “For me to have the skills and passion that I have, it was an easy change to make,” Mims said. “And I haven’t regretted it for one day ever since.” To help support educators like Mims, Dallas ISD has partnered with Southern Methodist University for a $3 million endowment to provide…

Eight young orators will soon face off in Dallas ISD’s 30th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Oratory Competition. The fourth and fifth graders will speak on the topic: “How would Dr. King assess our progress in achieving his vision for America.” The event, sponsored by the law firm Foley & Lardner LLP, will be streamed on the district’s website and on Facebook Live at 11 a.m., Friday, Jan. 14. It will be the highlight of a monthslong process in which dozens of students at 17 district schools participated by writing, memorizing and reciting their original essays on the assigned topic. The…