Inside Dallas ISD

The Greater East Dallas Chamber of Commerce recently honored its Teachers of the Year, including two from Dallas ISD: Loretta Smith from W.H. Gaston Middle School and Chris Evetts from Woodrow Wilson High School. The Teachers of the Year were celebrated at a luncheon on Nov. 14. Here’s a little more information on these outstanding educators. Chris Evetts Seven Woodrow students nominated Chris Evetts for teacher of the year. As director of the Woodrow Wilson High School band, he has built the band program from about 10 students to more than 100 students. The Woodrow band plays everything from football…

Conrad and Seagoville high schools were named the Dallas grand prize winners of Khan Academy LearnStorm 2017, a free six-week learning challenge that kicked off the school year. Nearly 1 million students and 20,000 teachers participated in the national challenge that helped students build skills and mindsets for a successful school year. Winning the Dallas challenge meant Conrad and Seagoville high schools each earned $5,000 to go toward technology or other needed school supplies. “What we saw here at Conrad High School and Seagoville High School, two amazing Dallas ISD high schools, was that they really stood out in the…

“What do you love most about yourself?” This was the conversation starter for one of the 240 Dallas ISD students who competed in the inaugural round of the Amazing Shake Competition at City Lab High School on Nov. 10. The competition focused on tie-breaking life skills such as a firm handshake, eye-contact, and back-and-forth communication. More than 120 volunteers from businesses throughout Dallas participated as judges. Each judge received a bag with five ballots that were used to score each student. On Monday, Nov. 13, after all ballots are tallied, the top five shakers from each campus will be announced to…

Angel Sitiriche was a private lawyer and Army reservist in Puerto Rico when he was called to active duty after 9/11. He was in charge of the multi-national division north operational for the Iraqi Police and Military Police Officers, overseeing 2,000 soldiers. During his service he received many commendations, including the Bronze Star, Humanitarian Service Award, and Army Achievement Medal. Upon returning from Iraq, he decided to invest in the community and become a public school teacher. And for the past 12 years, Sitiriche has taught at John J. Pershing Elementary School. His outstanding contributions to education were recognized last…