Inside Dallas ISD

The Dallas Education Foundation (DEF) hosted its second annual “Heart of Teaching” gala on Tuesday, with an evening of desserts and drinks as well as stunning dance and musical performances by Dallas ISD’s own performing arts educators. The foundation is the direct, nonprofit philanthropic partner of Dallas ISD, with a mission to inspire community investment to accelerate student success. This year’s Heart of Teaching campaign focused on advancing learning through the arts.  Prolific civic leader and public servant Regina Montoya, the gala’s honorary chair, said, “One of the reasons I’m so proud to be a DEF board member is because…

Of the 4,200 JROTC cadets in Dallas ISD’s 23-school brigade, Cadet Col. Damari Amaya, a senior at H. Grady Spruce High School, is the highest ranking. Named to the position of cadet colonel in late September, Damari is the only female from Spruce known to have held this title. Prior to her promotion, she was battalion commander at Spruce, a post she still holds in addition to commanding the overall brigade. On Veterans Day, Nov. 11, she will be leading the cadets during the Dallas parade’s Flag Ceremony. “I’ve been in JROTC for four years,” Damari says. “I became interested…

November is National Homeless Youth Awareness Month, and Dallas ISD wants to create a strong awareness of the homeless youth who attend district schools and the challenges faced they and their families face.  Each year, more than 3,900 students across Dallas ISD experience some form of homelessness or housing instability. These students and their families have shown they are resilient and, like all of us, deserving of equal education and social and emotional support.   The Dallas ISD Homeless Education Program trains staff, connects families to resources and engages students to build a bridge toward their academic and future success. Here…

Students at six Dallas ISD schools will be able to enjoy classroom upgrades, including a high-quality STEAM education, thanks to the TEXAS YES Project. In a ceremony held at the Dallas ISD STEM Environmental Education Center on Monday morning, representatives from the awarded schools received over $50,000 in educational grants.  Danielle Gunter, executive director at TEXAS YES, said these funds will allow campuses to get equipment to bolster their STEAM programs or help update classrooms and facilities. “We’re very excited to bring those grants to these Dallas ISD schools and help support the district’s future leaders,” she said. TEXAS YES…