Inside Dallas ISD

Trustees expressed their support Thursday night for a proposal to give $1,000 retention stipends to veteran distinguished teachers who did not receive pay raises this year under the Teacher Excellence Initiative. This school year, 148 veteran teachers who received a distinguished effectiveness level — placing them among the top-performing teachers in the district — received no raises because their salaries exceeded the amount set for a distinguished teacher. Another 20 distinguished veteran teachers received raises of less than $1,000 for the same reason. The proposal discussed at Thursday’s board meeting would provide a one-time retention stipend of up to $1,000…

Dallas ISD’s annual STEM Day highlights the importance of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, but just as important is an emphasis on fun. From flying quadcopters, to getting close to creepy-crawly critters to playing in a field coated in fake snow, a good time could be had by all. Hands-on experiments and dynamic demonstrations filled the 2016 version of the event held earlier this month. “STEM Day is a celebration/exposition of everything that has to do with science, technology, engineering and math,” said Roland Antoine, director of Education and Technology. “The idea of encouraging kids to move into those fields,…

The Dallas ISD Food and Child Nutrition Services department knows that students can have strong opinions about what they eat. That’s why the department issued satisfaction surveys to students last semester to learn what they liked—and didn’t like—on the school cafeteria menu. The department studied the student feedback and responded with a revamped menu this semester, including new menu items requested by students. “We know our students expect delicious food, and we are working very closely with students from the Teen Board, School Nutrition Advisory Committee (SNAC), and the Menu Advisory Committee (MAC). We are always working to form new student…

Rachel Harrah knows that many of her students have been through struggles in their personal lives, and that drives her to brings her “A” game to class every day. “The fact that I can be there for them as a person, and that I can also push them instructionally as an educator lets them know I am not going to let them down,” Harrah said. “And then they know that they’re not allowed to let me down, either.” Harrah, who teachers Theater Arts at Dallas ISD’s Thomas Jefferson High School, was named 2015-2016 Secondary Teacher of the Year. “She’s not…