Inside Dallas ISD

While getting his masters at Texas Southern University, Christopher Barksdale witnessed first-hand the power of a Historically Black College and University (HBCU). “The education experience, pride, and mentoring, at an HBCU is like nothing else,” Barksdale said. “Being able to see and learn from others who look like myself has truly paved the way for me to get to where I am today.” Today Barksdale is set to lead a new secondary school seeking International Baccalaureate candidacy that Dallas ISD and Paul Quinn College, an HBCU, are partnering together to launch in southern Dallas. Barksdale, who has most recently served…

In 2019 Jonathan Lopez made a big switch from working in commercial refrigeration to teaching Dual Language Principles of Construction and HVAC 1 at the North Dallas Career Institute. After graduating from Townview School of Business in 2014, Lopez attended a trade school and got his degree in air conditioning and then started his career in the field working in commercial refrigeration and residential HVAC. While Lopez loved the day-to-day variety of his commercial refrigeration job, he saw the opportunity to teach at a career institute as a no-brainer.  “I wanted to give back to the community and I wanted…

Jeremy Taylor has always had a passion for inspiring and supporting people, especially young people. Whether it was at church, through his career as a professional electrician, in a professional wrestling ring, or now as a Career Institutes instructor, Taylor’s desire to make a difference has remained the same. Taylor is an instructor for the electrical pathway at Dallas ISD’s Career Institute North. In addition to his passion for working with youth, he brings more than eight years of professional electrical experience to the role, having started his professional trade career in May 2013 as an electrical apprentice at Humphrey…

Married for 16 years, Elena and David Bates are Dallas ISD Darlings. Their love story began while both worked at Thomas C. Marsh Middle School and led and supported student groups and community partnerships. David began his career in Dallas ISD in 1999 as a Leadership Cadet Corps Instructor at Marsh Middle School, athletic coach and campus leader. He is a veteran of the U.S. Army and currently serves the district as Assistant Superintendent of Maintenance and Facility Services/Construction Services Support Elena joined Dallas ISD as an English as a Second Language teacher at Marsh Middle School in 2000. Elena…