Inside Dallas ISD

Devon Fortson, head wrestling coach at Justin F. Kimball High School, built a championship program rooted in unity.  A former student-athlete and Kimball alumnus, Fortson dedicated nearly four decades to wrestling and is now making history. In recognition of his lasting influence on students and the wrestling community, he will be inducted into the 2026 Texas High School Wrestling Coaches Association Hall of Honor.   “When I found out about the honor, I was reminded how everything happens in due time,” he said. “In due time, you’ll get your flowers—you’ll get your reward for the hard work you do. I’m glad…

On any given day at Innovation, Design and Entrepreneurship Academy at James W. Fannin, students are dreaming up ways to solve problems most adults barely notice. One group imagines a vending machine stocked not with chips and candy, but with deodorant, lotion, pencils, pens, sanitary pads, and even hoodies that meet dress code.  Another team wants to redesign the lanyard for student IDs so it feels more like an accessory. Another looked at the hallways, and spearheaded a campaign to decorate them with student art to improve campus culture.  Kathryn Cates, the teacher who is turning entrepreneurship into a way…

Simone Chandler, a science teacher at Young Women’s STEAM Academy at Balch Springs and Dallas ISD graduate, credits her early exposure to science for shaping her career in education and her journey toward becoming a dentist.  Now, she is preparing the next generation to be resilient and inquisitive girls.  Celebrated on Feb. 11, International Day of Women and Girls in Science highlights the importance of encouraging young women to pursue innovation, discovery, and leadership in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The observance also recognizes learning environments, such as the STEAM Academy, that promote equity and opportunity in science education. Chandler…

In 47 years of serving Dallas ISD Food & Child Nutrition Services, Brenda Jackson can count on one hand how many days she’s missed work—just one. In an era where job-hopping is the norm, her colleagues still marvel at her reliability, because for Jackson, the job was never just about serving meals—it was about serving people. This past December, Jackson—who was the food service assistant at Maria Luna Food Service Facility—hung up her apron one final time. Her story with the district began in 1978 at two schools, the now defunct Pearl C. Anderson Middle Learning Center and David Crockett…