Building Legacies: Incoming teachers are ready to inspire

Dallas ISD put out a call for new teachers. About 1,000 answered—both novice and experienced educators alike.

This past week, the district  welcomed them through the New Teacher Academy, a professional development series focused on instructional delivery, student engagement, digital tools, content, and curriculum.

The academy culminated in a districtwide celebration at the Winspear Opera House where participants donned bright yellow T-shirts that Superintendent Stephanie S. Elizalde said meant they were joining a 14-karat gold team—and that they were chosen from among the best.

“We chose you to play on our team. Our vision is absolutely to be the premier school district, and that doesn’t mean someday. It means now, today—every one of our kids needs it,” she said.

The event kicked off with a performance of “Hakuna Matata” by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Arts Academy students and messages from Elizalde and Board of Trustees President Joe Carreón.

Carreón reminisced about the teachers who helped him to find his voice and his purpose in the world. 

“That is their legacy. I am indebted to every one of them,” he said.

Elizalde recalled her own challenging first year of teaching, admitting that she “quit four times in just the month of October.” She acknowledged the demanding, but highly rewarding, nature of the profession stating that “95% of the time, [teachers] are going to love this calling, because it’s not a job. But 5% of the time it is going to hurt.”

She urged the teachers not to let the 5% become the 95 and reminded them that students are more than just test scores.

“Everything shouldn’t rest on assessments, because each and every one of us and every one of our students is way more than a test score,” she said.

But even when it comes to STAAR test scores, Elizalde said, Dallas ISD is “outpacing the state in 80% of tests, especially among emergent bilingual, African American, and economically disadvantaged students.”

Meet some of our new teachers below and discover why they chose Dallas ISD.

 

Valerie Castaneda—Prekindergarten ESL teacher
PreK Partnership Center

“This is my home. I was a product of Dallas ISD, and it only made sense to return and contribute to it.” 

 

 

 

Diana Torres—Bilingual teacher
J.L. Long Middle School

“This is where I grew up. I’m also a product of the district. I’ll be a Spanish teacher, and my Spanish teacher in high school is actually the one who inspired me to serve the community.” 

 

 

Gabriela Pedroza Martinez—Bilingual teacher
Woodrow Wilson High School

“I appreciate that Dallas offers great programs like teacher certification that are completely free– that’s one of the things that led me to this.”

 

 

 

Katherine Williams—Math teacher
J.L. Long Middle School

“I have grown up in Dallas and lived near the school where I’ll be working for most of my life. I’ve always felt called to be a teacher, and I have already been teaching for 15 years. It’s natural for me and brings me a lot of joy, especially when I feel like I’m able to make a difference in my students’ lives.”

 

 

Jayah L. Caley—English teacher
North Dallas High School

“I want to be a teacher because I strongly believe in public education. My grandmother was a high school English teacher, and it was a childhood dream of mine to also be a teacher. I hope to one day serve at a more policy-oriented level.”

 

 

 

Zachary Moon—Welding teacher
Career Institute North

“I started my education in Dallas Community College, and I wanted to give back the same kind of resources that I got. Now I’m teaching welding, and it feels really good to be able to give a younger generation a head start.”

 

 

Brock Hunter—Coach
Grady Spruce High School

“I come from a family of educators. My mom taught for 35 years, and I think it’s just in my blood. I just love helping children; I love being a good role model.”

 

 

 

Carrington Washington—Health teacher
Career Institute South

“I was working at CVS and then decided to make the transition to teaching. What I like about teaching is that I get an opportunity to see that light-bulb moment. I enjoy seeing when students make those connections not only theoretically but practically.”

 

 

 

Marie Abigail—Special education teacher
B.H. Macon Elementary School

“I know that Dallas can help me grow professionally and personally as a teacher. It offers a lot of opportunities for us to improve. I believe the children need me, and I need them, too.” 

 

 

 

Mary Joy Encallado—ESL teacher
Stevens Park Elementary School

“I like teaching because I want to share my knowledge and skills with my students and to expose them to my Filipino culture.”

 

 

 

Imee Bruce—ESL teacher
Lee A. McShan Jr. Elementary School

“I’m so happy to be part of Dallas ISD. Not only is it one of the biggest school districts in the United States, but I was chosen out of countless teaching applicants in the Philippines. I am very excited because it’s my first time teaching in another country.”