Inside Dallas ISD

Leslie Moore got an unexpected call on her way to work – a Richardson church wanted to take donated backpacks and school supplies to W.A. Blair Elementary School that morning. Just after 9:30 on Wednesday morning, Aug. 24, a black SUV loaded with items pulled to the front of the school. The bounty came as a donation from First Baptist Church of Hamilton Park. Pastor Gregory Foster, staff and church members dropped off the donations. There are about 100 backpacks and the school supplies to fill them – notebook and construction paper, spirals, boxes of crayons, folders, glue and glue…

Walk into a prekindergarten classroom, and you’ll hear laughter and see children playing. To most people, it looks like unstructured playtime. But the fun environment is actually a carefully designed structure which gives our youngest students the best chance for success. According to Derek Little, Dallas ISD’s Assistant Superintendent of Early Learning, the games and interactions are helping children with language development, and building the skills necessary to become effective readers. “We want every student in Dallas ISD to ultimately read on grade level and to be literate, and that work starts in early learning,” said Little. PreK classrooms meet…

When Israel Rivera, the principal at the new Joe May Elementary School, was 29 years old he embarked on a journey that would completely transform his life.  He adopted his brother’s four sons and decided to change careers so he could spend more time with them. “They are the reason I’m a principal today,” said Rivera. “I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for them.” Rivera left his career in advertising at The Richards Group to coordinate his schedule with the boys. He became a teacher at James Bowie and Mountain Auburn elementary schools and later principal at Harrell Budd…

The Young Men’s Leadership Academy at Fred F. Florence Middle School celebrated its first day as a single-gender campus in an innovative way. Male leaders from around the community formed a tunnel to welcome the students. “This tunnel welcomed our young men and helps give them a sense of focus and support,” said Dawn Walker, YMLA at Florence Middle School principal. Watch the above video to see the welcome tunnel in action and to learn more about the new school.