Meet the TOY and POY winners

Dallas ISD celebrated the 2025 State of the District, an evening dedicated to honoring the impact and progress that drive schools forward. This celebration, held May 6 at the Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House, put the spotlight on powerful stories of students, teachers, and leaders who are transforming lives and breaking barriers every day—making it happen together.

Another of the evening’s highlights was the announcement of the 2024-2025 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

Netallia Rush
Ronald E. McNair Elementary School

Netallia Rush is the lead fifth-grade reading teacher at Ronald E. McNair Elementary School. Rush is a Mississippi native, who has a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Jackson State University, a master’s degree in reading literacy from Belhaven University, and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in educational leadership at the University of North Texas at Dallas. As a proud member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Incorporated, Rush embodies the values of scholarship and service. Her leadership roles include Cheer Coach, Debate Coach, House System Lead, Team Lead, Campus Instructional Leadership Team Member, Poetry Slam Coordinator, and Campus Mentor. Through her innovative leadership, Rush fosters a culture of empowerment, growth, and community. By inspiring young voices and guiding her peers, she exemplifies excellence in education and remains dedicated to shaping tomorrow’s leaders through her passion, purpose, and unwavering commitment to learning.

Teacher of the Year—Secondary

Bernardo Velez Rico
North Dallas High School

Bernardo Velez Rico teaches Advanced Placement English and OnRamps Rhetoric at North Dallas High School. Born in southern California and raised in Grand Prairie, Rico is the son of immigrants from rural Guanajuato, who instilled in him the transformative power of education. A first-generation college graduate, Rico earned his Bachelor of Arts from Stanford University. Before teaching at North Dallas, Rico managed school outreach programs at the Dallas Museum of Art. This role afforded him the opportunity to work directly with students in Dallas ISD classrooms, sparking his commitment to fostering equity in education and uplifting local communities.

Rico’s journey as a teacher began four years ago as a member of the district’s Latino Residency Program, and he has since taken on roles including mentor teacher, Teacher Excellence Initiative campus expert, AP Ally, content study group leader for the Alternative Certification Program, OnRamps District Content Lead, and Virtual Conference Facilitator with The University of Texas at Austin. Rico’s work is guided by a clear mission: to provide rigorous and equitable learning opportunities that empower students to exceed both their own expectations and those imposed by others. At North Dallas, he has led initiatives to expand and strengthen the school’s AP and OnRamps programs, more than doubling the number of students earning college credits in English. His leadership also extends to professional development, where he has facilitated school, district, and state-level workshops on effective instruction and equity in advanced coursework. Rico’s teaching philosophy is rooted in an unwavering belief in his students’ potential, challenging them to reimagine what is possible while equipping them with the skills and confidence needed to thrive.

Teacher of the Year—Choice/Magnet

Patricia Cortez
School for the Talented and Gifted in Pleasant Grove

Patricia Cortez is a dedicated educator at the School for the Talented and Gifted in Pleasant Grove, where she teaches sixth-grade world cultures and seventh-grade Texas history. A proud product of Dallas ISD, Cortez brings a personal connection to her work. Cortez earned her Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies with a focus on bilingual education from The University of Texas at Arlington and her Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction in personalized learning methods from Texas Tech University. Her career began at the elementary school she attended as a child, Casa View Elementary School. She later transitioned to the School for the Talented and Gifted in Pleasant Grove, where she hopes to inspire students, drawing on her experience as a former magnet school student.

Committed to student achievement, she collaborates with other social studies educators to develop creative lessons aligned with Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills standards. Her collaboration with the Dual Language Department has been particularly impactful, as she has helped create activities and lesson plans for teaching Texas history in Spanish, ensuring equitable access for bilingual learners. Beyond the classroom, Cortez oversees several programs and initiatives aimed at enriching student and teacher experiences. She manages Clubs and Whistles, a program that fosters student engagement through extracurricular activities, and coordinates University Interscholastic League competitions for elementary and middle school students. She also leads the LadyBots and LadyDronez, all-girls robotics and drone teams, and is part of a broader initiative to bring robotics opportunities to all students at the school. Through these efforts, Cortez inspires young women and all students to explore science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Additionally, she serves on the campus Climate and Culture Committee, promoting a positive and inclusive environment for students and team members.

Principal of the Year—Elementary

Beverly Mullins Ford
Anne Frank Elementary School

Beverly Mullins Ford is a dedicated and visionary leader in Dallas ISD, committed to student achievement, school excellence, and community engagement. A Dallas native, she began her career as an eighth-grade science teacher at Edward H. Cary Middle School. She earned her master’s degree in educational administration from The University of Texas at Austin and joined Anne Frank Elementary a year after its inception, serving as assistant principal for 19 years before stepping into the principal role seven years ago.

With 26 years at Anne Frank Elementary, Mullins Ford’s leadership is a testament to her commitment to erasing opportunity and achievement gaps and ensuring equity, excellence, and success for all students. Under her leadership, the school has earned multiple Texas Education Agency distinctions, a Gold Ribbon School recognition, and consistent Breakthrough Campus status, with a focus on achieving an A rating.

A firm believer in relationships, visibility, and high expectations, she greets students and team members daily, creating a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment. She is also a mentor to many to build leadership capacity in those looking to grow in education. Honored as a 2023-2024 Master Principal, she continues to inspire educators, engage families, and shape the future of Dallas ISD.

Principal of the Year—Secondary

Stephanie Amaya
W.H. Adamson High School

Stephanie Amaya, the daughter of Salvadoran immigrants, is a proud graduate of Dallas ISD and a first-generation college graduate who holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of North Texas and a master’s degree from Lamar University. She is currently pursuing a doctorate degree at Dallas Baptist University. With a deep sense of commitment to the communities she serves, Amaya is dedicated to uplifting others and making a meaningful impact. Her experiences and background fuel her passion for service and the desire to give back to the people and neighborhoods that have shaped her journey. She has been recognized as 2018 Principal of the Year and named Outstanding Principal by the Dallas Southeast Chamber of Commerce in 2019. She has successfully implemented International Baccalaureate, Expeditionary Learning, and Novel Engineering at her schools.

Currently in her fourth year leading Adamson High School, her leadership has earned her recognition as a Master Principal for three consecutive years. With her guidance, the school has seen significant improvements in student achievement, earned scholarships, and campus culture. Amaya leads with a focus on inclusiveness and empowerment, fostering supportive environments for students and team members. She is committed to continuous growth, mentoring, and hands-on leadership, striving to improve the schools and communities she serves.

Principal of the Year—Choice/Magnet

Channel C. Hutchinson
New Tech High School at B. F. Darrell

Channel C. Hutchinson, a 16-year veteran in education, is in her fourth year as principal of New Tech High School at B.F. Darrell. A graduate of the University of New Orleans and holding a Master of Education degree from the University of Phoenix, Hutchinson began her career in Arlington ISD teaching social studies and special education for nine years. She later served as assistant principal at New Tech, where she laid the foundation for her leadership role. Under her leadership, New Tech transformed by expanding Career and Technical Education programs, including new pathways in audio video and gaming design, in addition to a successful animation program. Hutchinson also pioneered project-based learning initiatives, leading to community events like the Careers in Gaming Expo, a film festival, and a Mindstorm Project with the President of Lego Education.

In 2023, New Tech was named the #1 Gold Ribbon Campus in North Texas by Children At Risk, and in 2024, the school earned an A rating across all STAAR domains—making it the only district high school to achieve this distinction. New Tech is also an AVID National Demonstration School and received the Excellence in Education Award from the organization. Hutchinson’s leadership has led to significant academic gains, increased enrollment, and a positive school culture. She is committed to equity, innovation, and providing all students with an exceptional educational experience.