Inside Dallas ISD

National School Librarian Day is being celebrated on April 4 to recognize the highly trained media specialists who promote information literacy, empower students to develop critical thinking and foster a love of lifelong learning. During the first 18 weeks of the 2022-2023 school year, libraries across Dallas ISD had more than 380,000 books checked out, 96,000 e-books downloaded and 5.4 million database sessions—with 1.9 million total library books in the district collection. Marvin Gonzalez, the media specialist at Downtown Montessori at Ida B. Wells Academy, said he has witnessed the power of school libraries time and time again during his…

Dallas ISD’s Computer Science & Technology department, in partnership with the Dallas Education Foundation, provided an opportunity for students to see STEM in action at 900lbs, a design agency that specializes in interactive, visual storytelling content and innovation. The team at 900lbs presented demonstrations on how they help industry and the military enhance their work through the use of virtual and augmented reality simulations. This exposure highlighted to students the unlimited creative potential that is possible through the use of digital technologies. “These students are the future of our community, so we need to invest the time to make sure…

For Deana Williams, Tammee Sandle and Leandrie Gabriel—members of the award-winning school counseling team at Dr. Frederick Douglass Todd Sr. Middle School—empowering their community is always the priority. This can happen in different ways like providing guidance to students, hosting parent conferences, teaming up with their school’s social worker and other local partners, assisting test coordinators or supporting their administration team. “I always say we’re flexible,” Williams said. “Although this is a small campus, we have a lot of needs. We fill in the gaps.” Each member of the counseling team is dedicated to a specific grade level, which they…

Being a woman leading a successful athletics department for a large school district that has earned several state titles is not the norm. But Silvia Salinas, the first female executive director for the Dallas ISD Department of Athletics, stands out not just for these accomplishments, but also for creating a positive culture that uplifts future leaders. Salinas believes in making sure the 1,200 coaches and over 150 events team members who work directly with students are the department’s focus. This year, that focus has led to South Oak Cliff High School’s football team and Justin F. Kimball High School’s basketball…