Inside Dallas ISD

One can argue that music teacher Andrés Rodriguez is a renaissance man. Among his many roles is teaching modern band and drumline, being the esports coach at his school, hosting a podcast, and performing as a professional musician who emphasizes learning about the richness of Hispanic culture. His path began when Rodriguez joined the orchestra and choir in his elementary school and continued his music education into his high school years. Rodriguez currently teaches pre-K through fifth grade at Arturo Salazar Elementary School, where he has been since 2020. Although he was active in music growing up, being a music…

While families are getting their children ready for school, Miller Wilson and hundreds of Dallas ISD custodians are getting schools and facilities ready to receive students, district team members, and community members. Wilson, who is beginning his third year with the district at Mockingbird Elementary School, normally arrives on campus at 6:30 a.m. When necessary, he gets there as early as 5 a.m. While the hours might be challenging for some, for Wilson, they are fine because every day brings a new opportunity to not only do the work he enjoys but also to see the people he considers to…

This summer, several Dallas ISD team members went above and beyond to assist families facing severe hardships, including lack of electricity, food, hygiene products, transportation, and housing. Just days after school ended in May, many families were severely impacted by a tornado that passed through Dallas. Numerous households were left without electricity or water for days when temperatures climbed into the 100s. The City of Dallas received a report about terrible conditions of several apartment buildings where Dallas ISD families lived, many of whose children attend Charles A. Gill Elementary School. Leslie Cannon, a community engagement specialist for the City…

Dallas ISD’s Athletics Department fired up approximately 750 coaches, trainers, and various team members at their annual back-to-school event at Skyline High School last week. “Meeting with all the coaches to kick off the year provides us with a great opportunity to connect and share as an entire team our goals and initiatives for the upcoming year,” said Vince Reyes, assistant director of the Department of Athletics.  According to Reyes, the theme for this year is “Play BIG Dallas.” “For all coaches to hear at the same time the expectations on how we all need to step up and play…