Inside Dallas ISD

Submitted by Joseph Medaris, principal at Lee A. McShan Jr. Elementary School In Dallas ISD’s Lee A. McShan Jr. Elementary—one of the unique schools with a diverse community—there exists a dedicated school counselor whose mission goes beyond the conventional boundaries of education. Maria Araceli Slette, a passionate advocate for empowering young minds, takes on the extraordinary task of guiding students from different corners of the world, helping them navigate the path from kindergarten to fifth grade, and ultimately, preparing them for college and career success starting at elementary school. Slette believes that the journey to college and career readiness begins in…

Shundanae Pierce, a master teacher at Elisha M. Pease Elementary School first began her journey with the district as a student at Nancy J. Cochran Elementary School. When she was in college, she knew she wanted to complete her student teaching with Dallas ISD, where she has been teaching for the last 17 years. What drew you to education? My elementary years played a pivotal role in this decision. I enjoyed going to school and had great relationships with my teachers. I’ve loved kids since my days of working in a daycare during my summers in high school. I was…

Camille Muñoz, a P-TECH teacher at Thomas Jefferson High School, has been working in education since 2004, with the past 13 years in Dallas ISD. She is from Dallas, and spent the first six years of her teaching career working for the Catholic  Diocese of Dallas at two private schools. She said she quickly realized that she wanted to impact more students and decided to make the move to Dallas ISD and public education. Muñoz was recently recognized as one of Dallas ISD’s Master Teachers. Get to know more about her background and passion for student success. What drew you to…

Every morning, on screens throughout David G. Burnet Elementary School students can see a live newscast that includes announcements and the Pledge of Allegiance via Zoom presented by their classmates. The newscast is a project that started during the pandemic and has grown into a daily staple at the school. During COVID, Sophia Zolezzi, math instructional coordinator at the school, found a creative way for students to still give their morning announcements and Pledge of Allegiance despite being in a virtual setting at that time. “I was looking for a way for us to still feel a sense of community,…