Inside Dallas ISD

Akash Patel, a Spanish teacher at Ignite Middle School and founder of Happy World Foundation Inc., is part of the elite class of honorees named to TIME’s first-ever list of Innovative Teachers. This program highlights teachers from across the U.S. who are improving their field or making a difference for their students in a unique way. To compile this list, TIME reviewed hundreds of nominations and selected educators from public and private sectors who stood out for going above and beyond to improve student learning or solve a problem schools face today. “I am very honored to be included in…

Syra Castillo, a recently graduated senior at Rosie Sorrells School of Education & Social Services at Townview, is on her way to the University of Notre Dame with a full-ride scholarship and a clear plan for the future.  “I want to take [television news anchor]David Muir’s job when I get older. That’s my ultimate career goal,” says Syra, who is senior class president and vice president of her yearbook staff. “I grew up watching him, admiring how he can speak about things that are happening in the world and is able to interview influential people. He is one of…

Dallas ISD’s Parent Services department wants to share a reminder for students enrolled in an Intersession or School Day Redesign school: While it feels like summer, we are not yet done with school. Students’ attendance for the next few weeks of classes is important for their success. If parents have any questions about the schedule, please call your student’s school directly. To receive credit or a final grade for a class, a student is required to attend class 90 percent of the days class is offered, regardless of whether the student’s absences are excused. When a student attends less than 90…

When Principal Reymundo Cervantes arrived at Henry B. Gonzalez Personalized Learning Academy in 2017, parent engagement was not at its highest, to say the least. Five years later, as he leaves to take on the leadership of Pleasant Grove TAG, family involvement has more than tripled, and the elementary school in Southeast Dallas has become the district’s Whole School Model for Family Engagement. “I believe it is because of the work and commitment of our teachers to ensure that students will achieve, knowing that parent involvement is key,” Dr. Cervantes says.  “The staff is going the extra mile to involve…