Inside Dallas ISD

After being honored at a special reception on Jan. 17, Dallas ISD’s 2017-2018 Teachers of the Year were visited in their classrooms the next day by representatives from Central Market. This year’s top teachers are Josue Tamarez Torres, a fifth-grade math teacher at Annie Webb Blanton Elementary School; Beth Poquette Drews, who teaches mariachi, orchestra and guitar for grades 6-8 at L.V. Stockard Middle School; and Nedra Johnson, who teaches science for grades 6-8 at Alex W. Spence Middle School. Along with balloons, a cake and a fruit tray, teachers received a ceremonial check symbolizing the $5,000 prize each takes…

Four Dallas ISD schools advanced to the State Academic Decathlon Competition by earning top scores in their divisions at the Region XII competition held Jan. 19-20 at Seagoville High School. This is the first time that four Dallas ISD schools have advanced to the state competition. The School of Science and Engineering took first place in the large school division. Bryan Adams High School placed first in the medium division and Seagoville High School took second place in the medium school division. Meanwhile, L.G. Pinkston High School took first place in the small school division. All four schools will represent…

Thomas J. Rusk Middle School Spanish teacher Akash Patel began his education career in small rural communities in Oklahoma where people had never seen or met “a brown Indian guy who spoke five languages and had traveled to over 30 countries.” In Oklahoma and Dallas ISD, Patel uses his travel experiences to design all of his lessons. And Patel’s dedication to teaching is being nationally recognized: he is a top 50 finalists for the Global Teacher Prize. This annual $1 million teaching prize recognizes a classroom teacher who exemplifies global citizenship teaching and learning. “I am humbled and honored to…

Here’s something to cheer about! The varsity cheer squads from two Dallas ISD schools placed in the recent UIL State Spirit Competition held Jan. 11–13 at the Fort Worth Convention Center. W.T. White High School placed seventh in the coed division (watch their routine here); And Molina High School placed 15th in the coed division (watch their routine here). Varsity cheer squads from 20 Dallas ISD schools competed at the event that featured more than 500 squads from around the state. Learn more about the competition results here.