Inside Dallas ISD

Doug Marshall, an entrepreneur and Shark Tank contestant, stopped by L.O. Donald Elementary School to challenge students to think beyond the everyday and find ways to develop their ideas into real products or services. Marshall appeared on Shark Tank, the hit ABC show, in 2013 with what turned out to be a multi-million dollar idea. Sharks Mark Cuban and Lori Grenier took the bait and invested in Marshall’s product—peel-away, face tattoos. Today, Marshall’s company, The Game Face Company, makes the temporary tattoos and mask for sporting events, Halloween, parties–you name it, and all without the mess of paints. Marshall’s idea…

Albert S. Johnston Elementary School Nurse Angelique Sanders is the Dallas ISD 2016–2017 Health Services Employee of the Year! Sanders said her favorite part of the job is teaching the students how to take care of themselves and, sometimes, their family members. Sanders secured two DonorsChoose grants that allowed her to purchase material to teach students about healthy eating, as well as to buy basic hygiene products for students and their families. Sanders also worked to make sure all asthmatic students have a spacer through the Children’s Health Program. In addition to working as a school nurse, Sanders is the school…

Tatum Elementary teacher Carolyn Myers was driving to work when a car crashed into her, flipping her automobile on its side. Myers was trapped, thought she smelled smoke, and, as she puts it, “was totally freaked out.” After screaming for help, a man came to her rescue, climbing down into the car and steadily talking her through the situation—calming her down— until the ambulance arrived. “I truly believe this man saved my life,” Myers said. “I can not thank him enough.” The man turned out to be Sgt. Dewye Jiles, a veteran of the Gulf War and current JROTC instructor…

Given the benefits of a well-rounded education, Dallas ISD leaders and trustees are thrilled by the notable increase of students participating in extracurricular or co-curricular activities. Nearly 60 percent of all enrolled students this school year have participated in an extra-curricular or co-curricular activity. Here’s a look at the increased student participation by category this school year: 19,434 students participated in a student activity (up from 11,482 students in 2015–2016 and 5,248 students in 2014–2015); 12,057 students participated in athletics (up from 10,593 students in 2015–2016 and 9,914 students in 2014–2015); 54,790 students participated in the secondary level visual and performing…