Inside Dallas ISD

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,…

To prepare students for the rigor of Advanced Placement coursework, Advanced Academic Services is sponsoring an AP Summer Boot Camp for any student enrolled in an AP Biology, AP Calculus, AP Chemistry, AP English Language, AP U.S. History or AP Human Geography course for the 2022-2023 school year. The purpose of AP Boot Camp is to give foundational support BEFORE students begin the actual AP course. Additionally, students will strengthen the study and organization strategies/skills required for academic success.  Students will build on writing and math skills, develop content knowledge, and gain a greater understanding of the AP exam. With each session, students will learn time management, study skills, and practical note-taking. Each student who attends AP Summer Boot Camp will…