Inside Dallas ISD

The 12 finalists for 2015 Dallas ISD Teacher of the Year are all distinguished teachers as measured by the Teacher Excellence Initative. There are the four finalists in the secondary teacher category. One of these teachers will be named the district’s 2015 teacher of the year at a special event being held Oct. 22.  Angela Adams teaches sixth grade English at Sarah Zumwalt Middle School, where she is as likely to oversee a student pageant or step team as to conduct a training session for colleagues on STAAR reading strategies for at-risk students. This campus go-to sponsor for oratorical contests,…

Students at Alex Sanger Elementary scored a visit from notable Dallas Cowboys alum this week as part of an initiative aimed at promoting youth health and wellness. Former linebacker Bradie James and Super Bowl MVP Larry Brown presented Sanger with a $2,500 grant on behalf of Hometown Huddle, a partnership between United Way and Fuel Up to Play 60, and the Gene and Jerry Jones Foundation. The grant was in response to Sanger’s efforts to encourage healthy lifestyles among students and families at the school. In addition to presenting the $2,500 check, Brown and James joined volunteers from the Cowboys…

City Year Dallas AmeriCorps members volunteer each day at Dallas ISD’s O. W. Holmes Humanities/Communications Academy. The 12-member group provides one-on-one tutoring in math and Reading/Language Arts classes, greets students twice a week with engaging chants and inspirational cheers, and lends a friendly ear to students. A main goal is to keep students in school. Watch this video to learn how City Year Dallas mentors are helping Dallas ISD students reach their potential.

Students and staff at Dallas ISD’s Umphrey Lee Elementary School are using the  P.R.I.D.E. House system to sharpen students’ social skills and in turn boost their academic success. “It provides a deep connection between our students and teachers in various grade levels,” said Principal Roshondra Clayton-Brown. “And we have found it is really working and changing the social environment of our school.” Melanie Dadson, House Coordinator/Testing Coordinator, said a key to the program is consistency. Each week, students are introduced to certain elements: a college, a quote, a habit of mind and an essential. Watch the video to see parts…