Inside Dallas ISD

When Gustavo Zaragoza, a teacher at Career Institute East, was a student and a newcomer to the country, he never imagined going into the education field. Through his work as a teacher, he is now able to identify with his students and empower them, as teachers once did for him. Having grown up in Mexico, and not knowing the language when he first arrived in the district, he said he felt intimidated at times, and that it was in his ESL classes that he felt safe. He says he’s committed to create that type of environment for his students, where…

Sandra Urton, a  teacher at Wilmer Hutchins Elementary School, first  came to work as a teacher when she heard of the district’s need for bilingual educators. Urton saw this as an opportunity to make a positive impact for youth in the community. Now in her 15th year teaching in the district, she had previously taught two years in the state of Quintana Roo, Mexico, at the Universidad Tecnológica de Cancún, as well as in a middle school and at a language school. Where are you from and how did you end up at Dallas ISD? I am from Mexico City.…

This coming primary election on March 5 may be the most important for public education in Texas history.  That’s why I am asking every teacher, every school district team member, every parent, every grandparent, every one of our family members, everyone we know to vote in this primary election, especially in races for the Texas House of Representatives and State Senate. About 90% of Texas children—5.4 million in all—attend public schools. Our children can’t vote, so we must.  Here are the facts:  Just 3% of voters who vote in Texas primaries elect who govern the other 97%. That means that…

Dallas ISD is home to the largest STEM Expo in Texas and this year, it’s celebrating its 10th anniversary. The STEM Expo is more than simply a scientific fair; it allows students to investigate, design, and create real-world science, technology, engineering and math activities and projects and brings together numerous district departments and campuses, as well as industry and academic partners. Crystal Alexander has been the woman behind the scene since planning started for the first STEM Expo, which took place in the spring of 2014. Alexander, who has worked for the district for 23 years, graduated from what is…