Inside Dallas ISD

First-grade teacher Katie Holt and instructional coordinator Natalie Cruz-Garcia of the Biomedical Preparatory at UT Southwestern had no idea that they would become such close friends and co-workers nine years ago when they were 2014 corps members in Teach for America and were placed in Dallas ISD. “I have a core memory of setting up our classrooms at the same time our very first year,” Holt said. “We were constantly going in and out of each other’s rooms, planning how we were going to make our first bulletin boards and organize seating arrangements. Details that now we don’t think twice…

For Eric Benson, transforming student lives has had different meanings over his 38 years as a physical education teacher at Bishop Arts Steam Academy. Several of his former students are now leading life-changing careers of their own, including Diana Nunez, a proud Dallas ISD graduate who has spent over two decades working as a teacher, principal and executive director in the district. “We knew early on that Diana was going to be something special, just like everyone else in her family,” Benson said. “I’m so happy for her and all of her siblings, the direction that they’ve gone and all…

Last school year, more than 16,000 students were involved in at least one of 13 programs supported by the Student Activities department. This year, the department would like to expand extracurricular activities for students wherever possible. The current programs with the most student participation include chess, University Interscholastic League (UIL) academics, eSports and “Destination Imagination Winter Blitz,” which is a hands-on system of learning through open-ended academic challenges. At a board briefing last Thursday, Sharla Hudspeth, executive director of Extracurricular and Extended Learning Opportunities, shared with trustees the importance of extracurriculars for students in all grade levels. Her mission is…

Eddie Bernice Johnson STEM Academy student Clarissa Alejandre-Carrasco tried out her school’s brand new book vending machine on Tuesday, thanks to a generous donation from Atmos Energy to the Dallas Education Foundation.  Sheena Morgan, Manager of Public Affairs at Atmos Energy, is proud to support Dallas ISD students, “The book vending machine is an example of our continued investment in education and literacy programs by providing books to elementary students and encouraging a love of reading.” Rather than a typical snack or drink dispenser, the book vending machine sparks a different kind of excitement for teachers and students – advancing…