Inside Dallas ISD

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…

The 12 finalists for 2015 Dallas ISD Teacher of the Year are all distinguished teachers as measured by the Teacher Excellence Initiative. The four finalists for elementary teacher of the year were asked to share their strategies for effective instruction. On Oct. 22, prekindergarten teacher Tara Broadus was named one of four Dallas ISD Teachers of the Year. Monica Battison has served Dallas ISD students for eight years, the first three as a teacher assistant. Today, she teaches fourth-grade math and science bilingual at T.G. Terry Elementary School where she heads the teacher mentor program. Battison has this advice for teachers who…