Inside Dallas ISD

The third time was a charm for Beth Poquette Drews. Drews was a finalist for Dallas ISD Teacher of the Year three times, in 2013, 2017 and 2018, winning the honor this past year. But the accolades don’t stop there. She is the Region 10 Secondary Teacher of the Year, representing Dallas ISD teachers and those from the 143 public, private and charter school districts served by the regional organization. “What I enjoy most about teaching is getting to be part of my students lives as they grow up into young men and women,” Drews said. “I especially like to…

As students returned to class on Monday, Aug. 20, Dallas ISD teachers were well prepared to start a great school year of learning, thanks in part to the district’s summer professional development opportunities. As part of the 2018 Summer Institute, Dallas ISD offered more than 1,730 sessions at four campuses for four weeks over the summer. From building positive classrooms to differentiating instruction in the digital age, teachers received the tools and learning needed to succeed in the classroom. The Dallas ISD Teaching and Learning Department also brought in external professional development from partners such as the Dallas Zoo, Region…

At a special in-class ceremony, Kroger donated more than 5,000 school supply kits and $14,000 in Kroger gift cards to help all students succeed. Kroger, along with its parters KDFW FOX 4, KDFI My 27, iHeartRadio and Dasani, teamed up to hold the Backpack Boosters school supply collection drive from July 18-31. At the special ceremony held at L.L. Hotchkiss Elementary School, Trustee Dan Micciche thanked Kroger for its support of Dallas ISD. “Kroger has been a really good citizen to our schools and all of our students, and we are so thankful they are investing in our schools and…

On Aug. 14, teachers and staff from the 35 schools in the Dallas ISD Southeast Schools Network convened at Loos Field House for a packed pep rally. The Southeast comprises schools in the W.W. Samuell, H. Grady Spruce, Seagoville and Wilmer-Hutchins high school feeder patterns. The festive atmosphere included performances from student groups representing each of the four high schools, music and dancing – the network’s principals also got into the act.  But besides the fun, leadership aimed to set the tone for the coming school year. Laura Garza, who oversees elementary schools in the Samuell and Seagoville feeder patterns,…