Inside Dallas ISD

The U.S. Department of Education has selected Jack Lowe Sr. Elementary School Principal Sandra Barrios as one of 10 national recipient of the Terrel H. Bell Award for Outstanding School Leadership, which recognizes outstanding school leaders and the vital role they play in guiding students and schools to excellence, frequently under challenging circumstances. Barrios and the 9 other recipients will be honored during the National Blue Ribbon Schools awards ceremony on Nov. 14 in Washington, D.C. “Bell awardees have created environments where students and teachers thrive,” Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos said. “These principals are living proof that strong, transformative…

As he toured the schools most damaged by Sunday night’s storm, Superintendent Michael Hinojosa saw families walking their neighborhood in shock. “Something like this can have a traumatic impact on families,” he noted in Monday afternoon’s press conference. To help students and families at schools most impacted by the storm, Dallas ISD counselors are ready to assist however needed. All district counselors are thoroughly informed on trauma-informed care, with trainings happening as recently as this month. We spoke with Keshunia Johnson, a Dallas ISD Social and Emotional Learning counselor, to learn more about how the district counselors are able to…

October is Dyslexia Awareness Month, and it’s an opportunity to recognize and celebrate our students identified with dyslexia, as well as how Dallas ISD is providing support for students with this language-based learning disability. More than 5,000 Dallas ISD students are currently identified with dyslexia, which is a learning disability that primarily impacts reading and writing. “Students with dyslexia can experience both academic and emotional struggles in regards to their dyslexia, and can even sometimes feel unintelligent,” said Lauren Hall, a supervisor with the Dallas ISD Section 504 and Dyslexia Services Department. “In reality, students with dyslexia often demonstrate average…

“Maestro de la Semana” (Teacher of the Week) is a series of short videos where we highlight outstanding educators in the Dallas Independent School District. Sarah Cardenas adds a little bit of herself in every math lesson. She’s in her third year of teaching seventh-grade math at Young Women’s STEAM Academy at Balch Springs Middle School (YWSA). She’s a third-generation educator, a proud San Antonian and an athletic role-model. “Ms. Cardenas is a wonderful teacher and model for the characteristics we want our girls to grow into. She’s persistent, passionate, and positive!” said YWSA Principal Gabbi Dickson. “She has inspired…