November 2022

National STEM/STEAM Day is celebrated every Nov. 8 to highlight the fields of science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics, and to encourage people to pursue them. At the heart of these efforts are the district’s STEM and STEAM teachers, including Jesus Monsivais Flores, a sixth-grade math teacher at L.V. Stockard Middle School. 

Monsivais Flores is a proud graduate of Dallas ISD. Growing up, he said he was often told that he would drop out of school, but his teachers encouraged him to pursue his dream of graduating early and attending The University of Texas at Dallas. Now, his passion for math and his determination to transform student lives are serving him well as he pursues his second year in the classroom. 

“I always wanted to give back to where I came from,” Monsivais Flores said. “My teachers never gave up on me, and I want to be that support system for my students. I want them to know that they have it in their possession to do great things.”  

While math can be challenging, Monsivais Flores believes it is a universal language that anyone can learn. Last year, one of his students was struggling because he was learning English, so Monsivais Flores stepped up to build a stronger connection with him. 

“At first, he was confused by what we were doing and was scared and nervous, but then I shared my story with him,” Monsivais Flores said. “I am under the program of Dreamers [Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals], so I am here with a work permit teaching in Dallas ISD. When I shared my story with that student, he started feeling more comfortable and began asking for help when he didn’t understand something.”

Monsivais Flores taught the student key words and encouraged him in tutoring sessions, and the student went from scoring low on his Assessment of Course Performance in the fall to acing tests in the spring and earning “meets grade level” on his State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness test. 

“I was so excited for him that I called his mom and told them as soon as I found out his score,” Monsivais Flores said. “His story always motivates me not only to teach my students math, but also to show them that I’m here for them. I’m not just their teacher—I’m also their backbone, their support system.” 

STEM and STEAM lessons prepare students for real-world success, something Monsivais Flores has experienced firsthand. One of his favorite units focuses on financial literacy, and he said he loves helping his students compare different career salaries or understand how scholarships can put them through college. 

Ultimately, Monsivais Flores’ goal is to transform student lives by delivering excellent content and forming personal connections with them so he can encourage them on their journeys, and his efforts appear to be paying off. One of his students moved to a new school, and he recently reached out to Monsivais Flores with a simple message.

“His exact words were, ‘Thank you so much,’” Monsivais Flores said. “And I asked, ‘For what?’ And he said, ‘For never giving up on me and for always helping me.’ That is what teaching means to me. Even if my students are at a different school, they can always count on me for anything.” 

STEAM innovation across the district 

These real-world lessons will benefit even more students at six Dallas ISD schools as they enjoy classroom upgrades focused on providing a high-quality STEAM education, thanks to the TEXAS YES Project. Representatives from the awarded schools recently received over $50,000 in educational grants, which will allow those campuses to get equipment to bolster their STEAM programs or help update classrooms and facilities.

The six campuses are N.W. Harllee Early Childhood Center, Clara Oliver Elementary School, Leslie A. Stemmons Elementary School, Stephen C. Foster Elementary School, Seagoville High School and the STEM Environmental Education Center. 

“These grants will open opportunities for students of all ages to really apply what they’re learning in their science and math classrooms and turn that into something real,” said Michael Ruiz, executive director of STEM in Dallas ISD. 

While during November—Native American Heritage Month—Dallas ISD celebrates the 574 federally recognized tribes in the United States, their heritage, history and contributions are celebrated and supported year round through the American Indian Education Program.

This program was designed to address the unique educational and culturally-related academic needs of American Indian and Alaska Native students from pre-K through 12th grade. Students who identify as American Indian can apply for the program, which provides cultural events and enrichment programs, college and career preparation, truancy and retention support, culturally competent counseling, representative book clubs and more. 

“Our ultimate goal is to have our Native American students walk across that stage equal to every other population,” said Tracy Palmer, an American Indian Education Program specialist and a registered member of the Muscogee Creek Nation Tribe of Oklahoma. “We are here to serve, and join hand in hand with Dallas ISD’s mission to educate all students for success. I am honored to say that our Native students have been high achievers.” 

The program’s success can be seen in families like that of Sonia L. Pahcheka, now celebrating three generations and counting of Dallas ISD graduates. 

Pahcheka and all three of her sons graduated from Sunset High School, and now her 11 grandchildren are following in their footsteps. Two of her grandchildren, Arthur “AJ” Pahcheka Ybarra and Christina Pahcheka Ybarra (pictured), currently attend W.E. Greiner Middle School and Sunset High School and have been in the American Indian Education Program since they were preschoolers. 

“It has really taught them a lot,” Pahcheka said. “We are Comanche, and all we do is Comanche, but they got to make friends with [those from] other tribes at the program’s summer camp. When they see those friends now, they run up and hug each other. It’s lifelong.” 

Her grandchildren have also learned to be more outgoing, and now Pahcheka said they are “all excelling” in school while being aware of their “own personal Native pride.” 

“I have known AJ since he was a baby,” Palmer added. “Their family has been one of our greatest success stories, and I have enjoyed watching them grow and enrich so they can see the beauty of our culture and learn about themselves, while also exploring the program’s parallels in science, math, cultural reading, Native history and social studies.” 

Palmer said she hopes the Dallas ISD community will not only spread awareness about the district’s American Indian Education Program, but will also take advantage of the resources available during Native American Heritage Month in November and beyond. 

For example, teachers, librarians and campus administrators can request the American Indian Education Program’s grant-funded book club books, which include some of Palmer’s current favorites: “Fry Bread,” “Do All Indians Live in Tipis?” and “A Native American Thought of It: Amazing Inventions and Innovations.” 

“We have some beautiful books that are identifiably Native with appropriate images and writing and that support the curriculum already at hand,” Palmer said. “Our students are gifted those books through our grant, but they can also go to any classroom, library or program that wants to teach students about American Indians.”

To learn more about Dallas ISD’s American Indian Education Program and the resources available to students and staff, visit https://www.dallasisd.org/Page/22033 or call (972) 925-8076. 

“It’s a powerful program, and people need to know that we are here supporting our Native students,” Palmer said. “I am proud and honored as a Native American when they walk across that stage. I know then that they can compete to be able to work or continue on to a higher educational institution after graduation—and find their own destiny in our country.” 

November is National Homeless Youth Awareness Month, and Dallas ISD wants to create a strong awareness of the homeless youth who attend district schools and the challenges they and their families face. 

Each year, more than 3,900 students across Dallas ISD experience some form of homelessness or housing instability. These students and their families have shown they are resilient and, like all of us, deserving of equal education and social and emotional support.  

The Dallas ISD Homeless Education Program trains staff, connects families to resources and engages students to build a bridge toward their academic and future success. Here is how you can help the HEP: 

• Learn—If you have not completed the HEP’s self-paced training, visit the Cornerstone main page. The training can be located by searching for “Homeless Education Program Training.”
• Educate—Raise awareness and let everyone at your campus know that the HEP is ready to help. 
• Evaluate—Dive deep into what is working and what needs to be improved. 
• Activate—Take the initiative. Create a successful school food pantry after getting trained on how to start a school food pantry by the HEP.
• Advocate—If a student is identified as homeless, enroll immediately or call the HEP for assistance and support. 
• Escalate—Rally more support through your school alumni group, get to know your community’s social programs and introduce your campus needs to local businesses and community organizations.
• Celebrate—Recognize campus efforts and celebrate the support for our homeless students and their families.

You can help the HEP spread awareness during Homeless Youth Awareness Month by wearing purple every Friday through November, or by participating in the following activities: 

• Nov. 2—Purple Cheer Kick-Off at Dade Middle School
• Nov. 7, 10 and 21—Thanks & Giving days, where people can donate through the HEP’s Amazon Wishlist
• Nov. 14-17—Schools are hosting drop-off donations of pull tab can food/snacks
• Nov. 22—Share pictures of activities in support of the HEP on social media

If you have any questions or would like to schedule a donation drop-off, contact the HEP at 972-749-5750 or homelesseducation@dallasisd.org.