Inside Dallas ISD

When retired NFL great, Heisman Trophy winner and NFL Hall of Famer Tim Brown is formally recognized Friday, Nov. 6, lots of local fans will share the pride of his storied accomplishments. Many of those in the stands at the game will doubtless be alums of Woodrow Wilson High School, which is where Brown got his start on the school’s varsity football team. The first and only Dallas ISD grad to achieve hall of fame success in football, Brown began his career on a team that won only four games in his three years on varsity. From humble beginnings, the…

Representatives from 20 large urban public school districts convened in Dallas this week to focus on strategies, techniques and programs that encourage healthy habits among schoolchildren. Participants at the Urban School Wellness Conference spent much of its second and final day touring three Dallas ISD schools to see some of the district’s innovative programs in action. The tour highlighted programs at Francisco “Pancho” Medrano Middle School, James Bowie Elementary School and Barack Obama Male Leadership Academy. Longtime Bowie PE teacher Sharon Foster showcased a classroom that will become a fitness center for students, staff and parents. Foster has used grant…

From a doctoral candidate who teaches preK at Joseph J. Rhoads Learning Center to a beloved Theater Arts teacher at Thomas Jefferson High School, the 12 nominees for Dallas ISD Teacher of the Year bring their passion and a wide range of skills to the classroom. There are four finalists in the elementary school category, four in the secondary category and four in the category for magnet and special schools. Four of the finalists will be named a 2015 Teacher of the Year at a special event on Thursday evening. The 12 finalists for 2015 Dallas ISD Teacher of the Year are…

The 12 finalists for 2015 Dallas ISD Teacher of the Year are all distinguished teachers as measured by the Teacher Excellence Initative. There are four finalists for the magnet/special schools teacher of the year. One elementary teacher and one secondary teacher from this category will be named as a 2015 Teacher of the Year at a special event being held Oct. 22.  William Adkins has taught visual arts at the Barack Obama Male Leadership Academy for two of his 12 years in Dallas ISD. A frequent participant and presenter of arts-related teacher training and exhibition events, Adkins is a fellow…