Inside Dallas ISD

Youth Art Month is back and in person this year, following a shutdown in 2020 and a virtual art show last year due to the pandemic. With more than 600 pieces, this year’s exhibit, which runs from now until May 7, showcases a collection of student artwork and, for the first time ever, features teacher art work as well. Monica Hayslip, director of Visual Art, says another new aspect of this year’s event is that several items are for sale and earnings go directly to the student or teacher.  “I think whenever you come in and look at a piece…

Dallas ISD celebrates teaching excellence by recognizing outstanding educators who are making a difference in the lives of students every day. Meet 2021-2022 Teacher of the Year finalist Dutchess Gutierrez. Dutchess Gutierrez, dance teacher at Thomas Jefferson High School, was born in Oklahoma City before relocating to Irving and graduating from MacArthur High School. She developed a love for dance as a member of the MacArthur High School Cardettes Dance team and served as the first African-American Captain her senior year.  Gutierrez attended Trinity Valley Community College before completing her Bachelor of Arts in Dance with a minor in Spanish…

Dallas ISD has much to be proud of with the accomplishments of its band, orchestra and choir programs! Every year, music ensembles across the state participate in region-level evaluation to receive ratings from experts in the field on their performances in both concert and sightreading (playing a piece of music they have never seen before). Every band, orchestra and choir program in our district participates in this event. Participation in UIL music requires months and months of preparation. The pandemic put great strain on student development with the lack of regular face-to-face instruction last year. This has required teachers to…

Dallas ISD celebrates teaching excellence by recognizing outstanding educators who are making a difference in the lives of students every day. Meet 2021-2022 Teacher of the Year finalist Sara Gill. Sara Gill, a sixth-grade English Language Arts and Reading teacher at Ann Richards STEAM Academy, joined Dallas ISD in 2014. A native Texan, Sara Gill was born in Dallas, raised in Garland, and obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of Texas at Dallas. At Ann Richards, she holds the responsibilities of sixth-grade representative on the Faculty Advisory Committee, facilitator of grade-level content professional learning community,…