Inside Dallas ISD

Top Teacher Spotlight showcases outstanding educators across Dallas ISD who are thriving under the Teacher Excellence Initiative.  Karla Smith’s passion for STEM led her to the otherworldly experience of attending a Space Camp for teachers at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Alabama. After one of the 10 percent of applicants chosen for the opportunity, Smith, a science teacher at Benjamin Franklin International Exploratory Academy, engaged in astronaut training simulations that were both physically and mentally challenging. Following the incredible experience, Smith became even more passionate about the link between STEM education and student success. “We aren’t going to…

A Skyline High School senior broke her school’s record for the largest fundraiser by an individual student after raising $6,500 for the Pennies from the Heart campaign. Common Cents – Pennies from the Heart is a yearly, districtwide effort where students from all grade levels raise funds for charities of their own choosing. Skyline requires that the students running for a homecoming court position participate in the school’s yearly fundraiser competition. When one of her friends got lupus, Princess Fulcher raised funds for a physical health advocacy non-profit. “It’s not only about winning homecoming queen, but it’s also about other…

Want to be a teacher, but don’t have a TEA Teaching Certificate? The Dallas ISD Alternative Certification Program (ACP) trains college graduates who studied a career outside of teaching to follow their passion and lead a classroom. Sunday, March 22 is the deadline to apply for the ACP’s Phase 53. Candidates who are interested in joining the Phase 53 cohort of the ACP can apply on this website: https://www.dallasisd.org/altcert . The ACP is a paid-training strategy to prepare applicants to lead the district’s classrooms. The program focuses on training the college graduates who studied a career outside of education but later…

The Dallas ISD Board of Trustees unanimously appointed Alan King–the well-respected education leader who at one point served as Dallas ISD interim superintendent–as the district’s interim chief internal auditor. King’s appointment follows this month’s resignation of auditor Steve Martin. In addition to his time as Dallas ISD interim superintendent, King’s resume includes serving as Dallas ISD chief financial officer and chief of staff. When residents voted in 2017 to dissolve Dallas County Schools–the taxpayer-funded agency that Dallas ISD contracted with to bus students–King was hired to successfully oversee the dissolution process. Multiple trustees praised King’s accomplished background as a perfect…