Special week highlights important work of school counselors

Dallas ISD is among school districts celebrating National School Counseling Week during the week of Feb. 5-9. As part of the celebration, district counselors will organize and implement various activities on their campuses.

The week is sponsored American School Counselor Association (ASCA) to focus public attention on the unique contribution of professional school counselors within U.S. school systems and how students are different as a result of what school counselors do. National School Counseling Week highlights the tremendous impact school counselors can have in helping students achieve school success and plan for college and career.

Juany Valdespino-Gaytán, director of Student Engagement & Counseling Services, applauds Dallas ISD counselors for being actively engaged in helping students examine their abilities, strengths, interests and talents.

“Professional school counselors are certified, experienced educators with a master’s degree in guidance and counseling,” Valdespino-Gaytán said. “The combination of their training and experience makes them an integral part of the total educational program.”

New Technology Chief brings two decades of technology expertise to Dallas ISD

Jack Kelanic is the district’s chief technology officer. Kelanic brings more than 20 years of technology leadership experience to his new post. His responsibilities include developing the long-range technology plan to enable digital learning for Dallas ISD students and improving technology support for schools and district business operations.

Prior to his appointment to Dallas ISD, Kelanic served as the director of information technology for the city of Tacoma, where he led key initiatives such as open data and analytics, mobile government services, digital equity, and technology infrastructure modernization. He also served as the chief information systems director for the Los Angeles Unified School District, where he worked for nearly 14 years in various technology leadership capacities.

Kelanic holds a bachelor’s degree in engineering from Vanderbilt University.