Inside Dallas ISD

Which two organisms can be too contaminated to eat frequently and safely due to concentrations of mercury? If you knew the answer was “tuna and shellfish,” you probably could have fared well testing your wits in the Texas Academic Pentathlon Super Quiz alongside 43 Dallas ISD middle school teams that competed in early April for regional and state rankings. Each year the competition has a new theme and, if you did not guess from the question, this year’s theme was “Water: A Most Essential Resource.” After months of studying this year’s topic in math, science, social studies, literature, and fine…

Dallas ISD’s Career and Technical Education Department recently hosted the “Hilltop Entrepreneurship Challenge.” The in-person competition for Dallas ISD Career Institute Entrepreneurship students was held March 31 at the Price Career Institute South. More than 40 volunteers assisted with the presentations of over 150 student businesses. This event was a culminating activity for the Hilltop grant that was awarded in an effort to promote entrepreneurship for the Career Institutes for the 2021-2022 school year. The event was designed to assess student understanding of the lean business model through a 3-minute fast pitch presentation of student-created businesses.  Based on the NFTE…

Dallas ISD’s latest sustainability effort is on track to save the district over $1 million every year.  Only one year after pledging to reduce carbon emissions, Dallas ISD has observed a 96.9% reduction in its carbon footprint after switching to clean energy and a 19.1% reduction in overall electricity and natural gas usage.  David Bates, assistant superintendent for Maintenance and Facility Services, and Bryant Shaw, manager of the Sustainability Department, presented the findings to the Dallas ISD Board of Trustees during the April 7 Board Briefing.  “It was this board’s action that you took when you passed a green resolution…

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 Andretti Camper. Andretti Camper, currently supporting a specialized classroom for students with autism at Jose “Joe” May Elementary, did not choose education; rather, education chose him.  Growing up around educators, Camper knew that teaching was the career that would allow him to make a lasting impact on the hearts of others. Camper began his journey as an educator as a teacher assistant, served as a long-term substitute teacher, and then realized his…