October 2021

If you aspire to lead and envision yourself as an assistant principal but the lack of a master’s degree and principal certification stand in your way, Dallas ISD is here to help. The district is looking for teachers and instructional coaches who have strong leadership potential for an opportunity with the Aspiring Leaders Program (ALP), a unique school leadership development program offered through Southern Methodist University.

The Aspiring Leaders Program  is a master’s degree program wherein candidates will earn their M.Ed in Urban Educational Leadership, and also become eligible to apply for principal certification.

This program is designed for educators who do not currently have their principal certification and Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership and have the passion and commitment to lead in an AP position for the 2023-2024 school year.

The Aspiring Leaders Program offers two cohorts:

1. Urban Educational Leadership: Prepares future leaders to lead in a comprehensive context.

2. Urban Educational Leadership with Bilingual/Dual Language Focus: Uniquely prepares bilingual educators to lead Dallas ISD bilingual and dual language programs.  Dallas ISD needs more bilingual leaders to serve our communities and this specially-created cohort offers an excellent opportunity for bilingual teachers to expand their impact!

Highlights of this program include:

• Rigorous & competency-based.  The two-year program includes a 2nd year residency, including coaching support and culminates in an M.Ed. in Urban Educational Leadership from SMU.

• Ascending Leaders.  In Dallas ISD, over 100 ALP alumni and participants serve in leadership roles, including 25 current principals and 52 assistant principals.

• Bilingual/ Dual Language leadership cohort.  Ability to specialize and be uniquely prepared to lead Dallas ISD bilingual and dual language programs.

• Tuition Reimbursement.  The district will potentially provide partial tuition reimbursement for participants in this program.

SMU and the LEAD team will be hosting two information sessions via Zoom on Thursday, Oct. 14, and Monday, Oct. 25,  from 4:30 to 5:30 pm. If you are interested in growing as a leader and developing the skills necessary to lead schools, please RSVP using this link to learn more about the Aspiring Leaders Program

Should you have any questions or need additional information, please contact LEAD@dallasisd.org or visit www.smu.edu/urbanleader

Dallas ISD art teachers are incredibly talented, but did you know that many of them are also working artists? You can see just how talented they are in a special exhibit at the Music Hall in Fair Park

The HeArt of Teaching is a joint collaboration by Dallas ISD, the Dallas Education Foundation, and Dallas Summer Musicals that highlights the talents of nearly 60 district art teachers. Their works of art will be on display  until Oct. 23. Admission is free (though a valid ticket to the State Fair of Texas is required through Oct. 17).

A fundraiser culmination event celebrating our teacher-artists will take place at 7 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 25. All artwork was donated and will be available for sale with proceeds benefitting the Dallas Education Foundation to support the district’s mission of accelerating student success. Registration information can be found at futureofdallas.org/event2021

Seasonal flu mimics many of the same symptoms of COVID-19, which can make it difficult for patients and providers to tell the difference between the two illnesses. Getting a flu shot is an important step we can all take to protect ourselves and our families.

Dallas ISD will provide access to convenient walk-up flu shot clinics for employees at a variety of times at campuses, central office and service centers. Flu shot clinics will be available through Dec. 10 at various locations. To find the date, time and location most convenient to you, please visit https://www.dallasisd.org/fluclinics. We recommend that staff register as soon as possible.

Flu vaccines are free for employees enrolled in TRS-Active Care insurance, other medical insurance plans and Medicare.

The district and the flu s will be taking extra steps to ensure employees feel safe while receiving a flu shot.

If you have questions or concerns, please call 972-925-4300 or email benefits@dallasisd.org.

Dallas ISD is going pink for the entire month of October in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Several activities and opportunities to learn more about breast cancer, early detection, and treatments are planned throughout the month.

You can show your support for breast cancer survivors and their families by wearing pink one day the week of Oct. 11-15. And if you choose to wear pink, you can also wear jeans! A department or campus can pick one day to Pink Out or let individual employees choose their day, keeping in mind meetings and activities that might require more professional attire.

In keeping with COVID safety protocols, the Benefits Department will be distributing pink masks to central and campus staff. District employees to add a Breast Cancer Awareness pink ribbon graphic to their signature line for the month of October.

One in eight women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime and about 2,100 men are diagnosed every year. If you are a survivor or someone in your family is a survivor, share your story by emailing staffnews@dallasisd.org using the subject Dallas ISD Goes Pink. Submissions will be shared throughout the month.

For more information and resources about the district’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month efforts and resources visit www.dallasisd.org/breastcancerawareness.

Breast Cancer Awareness Tip

Will eating vegetables and fruits lower the risk of cancer?

Some recent studies suggest that a higher intake of fruits vegetables may have a helpful effect on the recurrence of breast cancer. Because other studies have shown a correlation between increased risk of breast cancer and higher index of body fat, increasing the number of fruits and vegetables in your diet is always a good idea. Fruits and vegetables are not only great sources of vitamins, minerals and fiber that nourish the body, they are also helpful aides in weight control because they are filling without adding a lot of calories to a meal. Make sure you add at least one fruit and vegetable to each meal and try to make your choices colorful to get the widest range of nutritional benefits.