Dallas ISD team members traveled the world
Over summer break, Dallas ISD teachers and other team members explored the world and rediscovered home, returning with experiences that will inspire students and enrich classrooms.
Maria Teresa Malana, a math teacher and science coach at J.L. Long Middle School, has a passion for teaching her students about endangered species native to different regions of the world. This summer, she traveled to Bohol Island in the Philippines, where she visited a sanctuary for the endangered Philippine tarsiers. Malana flew 8,000 miles to see her favorite endemic species in person and captured rare photos to share with her students. At the sanctuary, she saw 14 of these tiny primates with her family and high school friends, an experience she described as both exciting and unforgettable.
Damita King, a culinary trainer for Child and Food Nutrition Services, spent 10 days in Italy with her church choir, performing and exploring Florence, Verona, Venice, and Lake Garda. She also visited historic cathedrals and saw Michelangelo’s David at the Galleria dell’Accademia Museum.
“We sang songs in English at two churches,” King said. “At our last performance, people on the streets heard us and came inside. When we looked up, we were surrounded by people clapping, swaying, and enjoying the concert. We all left in tears.”
Kerrie Pegues, a teacher at Moisés E. Molina High School, spent her summer fulfilling a lifelong dream. She created an app for students to share their talents with others online and even submitted her creation to the SXSW EDU Conference.
“I learned that I’m never too old to follow my dreams,” Pegues said. “I created something out of nothing.”
Jody Martin, originally from Australia and a registrar at the School of Health Professions at Yvonne A. Ewell Townview Center, returned home for the summer, traveling from Melbourne to Adelaide along the Great Ocean Road, a scenic coastal highway in Victoria. She camped in a koala sanctuary, saw albino kangaroos and checked a major item off her bucket list: visiting the Twelve Apostles, a group of towering limestone sea stacks along the coast. While in Australia, Martin also spent two weeks visiting her hometown of Airlie Beach, catching mud crabs in crocodile-infested waters and enjoying fireside picnics at sunset with family.
Jenna Widby, a Career and Technical Education teacher at George Bannerman Dealey Montessori and International Academy, spent her summer traveling through Europe. She visited several cities and countries including Turin and Milan, Italy; Helsinki, Finland; Stockholm and Malmö, Sweden; and Copenhagen, Denmark. She also visited Amsterdam, Netherlands, and met up with her students at Dealy Montessori who also happened to be studying abroad.
Widby rounded her trip out at Rugby and London where she reconnected with old friends, including her high school best friend. She also attended a professional development event called the U Teach STEM Educators Conference in Austin, which focused on teaching computer science to middle school students.
Betza Mata, a second-grade bilingual teacher at Seagoville Elementary School, spent her summer resting, reconnecting and exploring new places. She joined a mission trip to Madrid where she and her church served Moroccan families by teaching the children English, playing games, and sharing in their traditions and cultural meals.
“While working with the Moroccan children during my mission trip, they learned that I was born in Mexico and that Spanish was my first language,” Mata said. “They began asking me all kinds of questions about Mexico. That exchange reminded me of the incredible power of language to connect people, spark curiosity and build bridges across cultures.”
Mata also took a road trip with her family and her dog, Peter, traveling to Wisconsin and Illinois before heading south to Mexico to celebrate the 20th anniversary of her college graduation. Between travels, she completed professional development sessions, deep-cleaned her garage, and made time to recharge.
“I especially cherished my trip to Mexico; the crisp mountain air, vibrant flavors, and breathtaking scenery were unforgettable, but the true treasure was celebrating with my old friends and reliving memories from our college years,” she said.
Genevra Buchanan, a literacy acceleration specialist at Whitney M. Young Jr. Elementary School, also spent her summer doing mission work and traveled to India and Southeast Asia.
“My favorite part of the trip was sharing the gospel and providing clothes, food, toiletries, books and toys to people who lived in remote villages across India,” Buchanan said. “I witnessed people who had no lights, no running water, no stable shelter but they were happy and grateful for life. It gave me a new perspective on what is really important in life. I will remember to count my blessings daily.”
Lakeysha Specks, a teacher at Mark Twain School for the Talented and Gifted, spent her summer close to home, relaxing at a lake and fishing. She used her summer months to spend time alone and reflect.
“Even the fish were on vacation from work this summer,” she said. “I didn’t catch a thing!”
