Every teacher who stands at the whiteboard, every principal who proudly represents their school, every administrator who advocates for children’s futures—each of these individuals represents a living legacy while simultaneously building a new one. This was part of the message that Superintendent Stephanie Elizalde delivered during the 2026 State of the District at the Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House.
“Thanks largely to the people in this room, both sitting in the audience and those whom we’re about to honor this evening, all of you have contributed to legacy,” Elizalde said.
With an opening act from a third-grader from Hogg New Tech Center and with a legacy performance of “Lean on Me,” featuring current and former Dallas ISD students, the State of the District celebrated student achievements, the high percentage of A- and B-rated campuses, the high teacher retention rate, and the recently passed 2026 bond proposal.
“I can say with confidence that the State of the District is stronger than ever. That’s legacy,” continued Elizalde.
The State of the District also honored the work of the Dallas Foundation, which is committed to investing in the transformative vision of teachers across the district through grants. DEF board president, Victor Vital, addressed the importance of teachers and campus leaders in the community and their mission to always inspire and educate.
“It is a supreme honor to be here representing an organization that is deeply committed to the work of this school district, supporting the heart of the district, the dedicated teachers and campus leaders who inspire, nurture and shape futures in every classroom every day,” Vital said.
The final event of the evening was the announcement of the 2025-2026 Educator of the Year Awards, sponsored by the Dallas Education Foundation. The winners received $5,000 each while finalists were awarded $1,500 each. Meet the winners:
Teacher of the Year—Elementary
Miguel Fijó Mezquita Vance
Annie Webb Blanton Elementary School
Miguel Fijó Mezquita is a bilingual educator and instructional leader with 19 years of teaching experience in elementary education, including more than 10 years at Annie Webb Blanton Elementary School. His teaching experience includes fourth-grade Spanish language arts and reading and he currently teaches second-grade SLAR, social studies, and science, working primarily with bilingual learners. Originally from Spain, Fijó completed his university studies in education at two institutions. He earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from the Universidad de Salamanca and a bachelor’s degree in second language learning from the Universidad Pontificia de Salamanca. He began his teaching career in Madrid, where he taught for seven years, and joined Dallas ISD in 2013 and continues as a classroom teacher while providing instructional support and mentoring to colleagues.
Fijó has supported student learning beyond the curriculum through extracurricular and enrichment programs. He has coached First Lego League for seven years, led the Future Engineer program, and prepared students for UIL competitions. He has also participated in campus events focused on family engagement, including the Fall Festival and Empower Night, a bilingual literacy workshop series for families. In addition, he has provided ongoing mentorship to new teachers, supporting their instructional development and transition into the profession. Fijó has been recognized by the Texas Education Agency with the Master Teacher designation.
Teacher of the Year—Secondary
Megan Vance
Harold W. Lang Sr. Middle School
Megan Vance teaches sixth through eighth grade students in a self-contained special education total communication classroom at Harold Wendell Lang Sr. Middle School, serving students with significant cognitive impairments and complex language needs. Her instruction focuses on functional academics, communication, independence, and meaningful participation in school and daily life. Working with students who access alternate academic standards, including STAAR Alternate 2, she implements structured routines, visual supports, augmentative and alternative communication systems, modeling, and systematic instruction to promote engagement and independence. Vance holds a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of North Texas, a Master in Education with an emphasis in special education from North Central University, and a doctorate in special education with research focused on autism spectrum disorders.
With over 15 years in Dallas ISD, Vance has served as a mentor to special educators, a member of the Campus Instructional Leadership Team, and Specialized Programs Lead Teacher, while also supporting Extended School Year services and contributing to districtwide initiatives. A five-time recipient of the Junior League Grants for Innovative Teaching, she has secured resources that expand hands-on learning and adaptive materials for students with significant disabilities. Her doctoral research led to the development of an intervention reducing maladaptive vocal self-stimulatory behaviors in students with autism, reflecting her commitment to research-based, practical application. Guided by the belief that communication, dignity, and meaningful learning are fundamental rights, Vance remains a dedicated advocate for students with low-incidence disabilities and their families.
Teacher of the Year—Choice/Magnet
Asia Charles
Solar Preparatory School for Girls
Asia Charles-Simms is the middle school orchestra director at Solar Prep for Girls, where she teaches grades five through eight and leads a comprehensive program grounded in musical excellence, student growth, and equitable access to high-quality fine arts education. She holds both a Bachelor of Music Education and a Master of Music Education from the University of North Texas, and her instruction balances strong technical foundations with creativity and student ownership. Since founding the orchestra program, she has grown enrollment from approximately 60 to more than 150 students while expanding instrumentation and maintaining a strong focus on ensemble musicianship and fundamentals.
Under her leadership, the orchestra consistently earns top honors, including straight ones at the 2024–2025 UIL concert and sightreading evaluation and consecutive superior ratings at Pride of Texas. Her students regularly place in all-city and all-region orchestra and gain admission to Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. Committed to culturally responsive teaching, Charles-Simms leads performances celebrating Black History Month and Hispanic History Month and collaborates with the theatre department to provide live music for productions. She also serves as a region coordinator for concert orchestra, mentors colleagues, and supports fine arts programs across the community, remaining dedicated to expanding opportunity and inspiring students to find their voices through music.
Principal of the Year—Elementary
Jacinto Cabrera Jr.
Julius Dorsey Leadership Academy
Jacinto Cabrera Jr. is a dedicated and student‑centered leader in Dallas ISD, committed to elevating teacher effectiveness, accelerating student achievement, and creating a school culture where every child is seen and supported. A proud Dallas native, he grounds his work in the values instilled by his parents, who immigrated from San Luis Potosí, Mexico, and modeled perseverance, service, and the transformative power of education. Guided by these beliefs, Cabrera leads with empathy, high expectations, and a relentless focus on ensuring that both students and teachers have the tools they need to thrive.
Cabrera’s passion for education, sparked in elementary school, led him to earn a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies and a Master of Education in Educational Leadership from the University of North Texas. His career came full circle in 2007 when he returned as a teacher to Anson Jones Elementary School, where teaching sixth grade alongside veteran mentors showed him how collaboration and early support shape teacher success. His leadership roles across Dallas ISD, including serving South Oak Cliff communities and leading the P‑TECH program at Franklin D. Roosevelt High School of Innovation, strengthened his commitment to expanding access, opportunity, and college and career‑ready pathways. As principal of Julius Dorsey Leadership Academy, Cabrera has guided the campus to an A rating and earned 5 of 6 TEA distinctions, while increasing reading proficiency by 10% and raising enrollment by more than 15%. Rooted in service, he challenges himself to learn every scholar’s name and begins each day walking classrooms to greet students and set an inclusive, positive tone, centering his leadership on empathy, relationships, and ensuring teachers have the tools to help every child succeed.
Principal of the Year—Secondary
Willie F. Johnson, Jr.
South Oak Cliff High School
Willie F. Johnson, Jr., is a distinguished educational leader committed to academic excellence, equity, and transformative leadership. He earned his bachelor’s degree from East Texas State University, a master’s degree from Texas A&M University–Commerce—where he is a proud recipient of the prestigious Gold Jacket—and a doctorate from Walden University. He has also completed advanced professional certificate programs at Harvard University and Cornell University. Widely recognized for closing racial achievement gaps and advancing outcomes for historically underserved students, Johnson led South Oak Cliff High School through significant academic and cultural growth, earning multiple TEA distinctions and recognition as a 2025 TABSE Model School while improving the campus from a projected “F” rating to just one point shy of an “A.”
Beyond academics, Johnson cultivated a culture of excellence across all areas of student life. During his tenure, South Oak Cliff’s football program reached five consecutive UIL 5A State Championship appearances and captured three state titles—an unprecedented achievement in Dallas ISD history. In 2025, he was named Principal of the Year by the Oak Cliff Chamber of Commerce and received commendations from the Dallas County Judge, Dallas City Council, United States Congress, and Texas State Senate, underscoring the broad impact of his leadership.
Principal of the Year—Choice/Magnet
Adrian Hernandez
North Lake Early College High School
Adrian Hernandez, the son of Mexican immigrants, is a proud graduate of the Judge Barefoot Sanders Law Magnet in Dallas ISD and a first-generation college graduate. He earned a bachelor’s degree from The University of Texas at San Antonio and a Master’s degree from the University of North Texas, and he is currently pursuing a doctorate in education from the University of Oklahoma (expected 2029). With 10 years of experience as a campus administrator in Garland and Dallas, Hernandez is committed to expanding opportunity and access for all students.
As principal of North Lake Early College High School, Hernandez has led the campus to consistently maintain an “A” rating from TEA and earn distinction as a Top 10% School in Texas. NLECHS has received national recognition from U.S. News & World Report and ranks among the top ten schools in North Texas by Children at Risk. Focused on making college a reality for every student, he ensures graduates earn both a high school diploma and an associate’s degree. Through strong community relationships, administrative visibility, and staff leadership development, Hernandez fosters a culture of trust, belonging, innovation, and authenticity that drives continued student success.