Inside Dallas ISD

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…

As the Dallas ISD Police Department officer assigned to Thomas J. Rusk Middle School, Officer Walter Gunn believes that building relationships with students is the most vital part of this job. Gunn maintains an open-door policy at Rusk Middle School, where he encourages students to talk to him about their issues inside and outside the classroom. When he walks the hallways during transition periods, he makes sure to shake the students’ hands or give them high-fives, and he is constantly interacting with students whenever possible. “If the students can trust you, they’re able to connect with you. And if they…

Dallas ISD’s Reading and Language Arts Department will give away over 10,000 books at Read for Me on March 7. Read for Me is an interactive, multi-cultural literacy experience designed to instill a love for books and reading in parents, students, and community members. Attendees will also enjoy an International Festival celebrating diverse cultures through activities, tasty snacks, and performances.  This year’s theme is Stories from Around the World. Students and parents will meet authors, work with community members, and experience the joy of literacy. We’ll provide an interactive, multi-cultural experience in literacy while building advocacy for parents, students, and…

Joseph Contreras is a Lead Dyslexia Evaluator who has partnered with parents and professionals in Dallas ISD for over 18 years to identify students with dyslexia and help them find success. For his great work, the Dallas International Dyslexia Association chose Contreras to receive the 2020 Excellence in Education Award. He was recently recognized at Dallas IDA’s 2020 Regional Conference on Feb. 7. The Excellence in Education Award is presented annually at Dallas IDA’s regional conference to teachers or other professionals who demonstrate excellence in practice and a commitment to students with dyslexia and related differences. Individuals may be nominated…