Inside Dallas ISD

When she was a teenager, Dr. Tiffany Clark’s high school counselor made a huge impact on her life by serving as a mentor and helping her navigate the university system. Clark realized she wanted to follow in her mentor’s footsteps and become a high school counselor herself. After working in the classroom as a middle school teacher and serving as a high school counselor, Clark is excited to join the “Wolf Pack” counseling team at E.D. Walker Middle School. “I want to see students become successful just like my high school counselor helped me become successful,” Clark said. Dallas ISD…

The Reading Academies are finally here! On Thursday, Aug. 20th, 1,200 Dallas ISD administrators and teachers begin the first phase of the districtwide training that will strengthen teaching practices and help ensure that all students read on or above grade level. More than 120 cohort leaders will be leading the charge, facilitating the training and providing coaching support to guide educators in bringing new learning to life in their daily instruction. As part of the legislative requirement of Texas House Bill 3, the district has three years to train all current staff in the evidence-based practices that best support student…

When schools unexpectedly closed in March due to the Covid-19 threat, Walnut Hill Elementary School teacher Alejandra Ramos Gómez first found it tough to talk to students. The kids were just bouncing back from the tornado that five months ago demolished their home campus, and she worried about the additional toll the epidemic would bring. After a few awkward virtual lessons, she fully embraced her professional and personal passion: social and emotional learning. “We began talking to the students about how they were feeling and how their new reality was affecting them,” Gómez said. “I really wanted to allow them…

With national studies showing students falling behind academically due to the Covid-19 closure of schools, Dallas ISD administrators briefed trustees on Aug. 13 on the district’s efforts to mitigate learning loss. “We are now facing conditions where students have not received instruction in a classroom environment for six consecutive months,” Chief of Staff Pam Lear told trustees. “The research is disturbing, and we need to prepare to address it in the short term and long term.” From expanded access to digital learning tools and ongoing progress monitoring to strong on-grade level instruction and tutoring supports, Chief of School Leadership Jolee…