Celebrating campus support personnel

Dallas ISD celebrated the “boots on the ground” approach to learning with its newest districtwide tradition: The Aspire Award. The Award recognizes outstanding campus support personnel from each school for their impactful work, for being the boots on the ground.

This year, the 2025 Aspire Award honored clerks, registrars, parent support specialists, custodians, data controllers, office managers, and teacher assistants, all team members who help shape their school’s culture and embody values of public service and collaboration.

At the Aspire Award Luncheon on Nov. 21, honorees and their principals celebrated in true Texas fashion at the Longhorn Ballroom, dressed in western attire that fit the venue’s southern charm. The morning featured performances from Dallas ISD students, including mariachi music and ballet folklorico.

“It’s a blessing to be honored. I feel appreciated,” said Areal Chandler, cafeteria supervisor at Mark Twain School for the Talented and Gifted. “I get to interact with my students every day. The children are the best part of my day.”

The award recognizes that campus support personnel help ensure that schools are welcoming, organized, thriving places for students to learn and grow.

“Their work sustains the spirit of our schools and reinforces the power of teamwork,” said Chief of School Leadership Tiffany Huitt.

Carla Lauriano, office manager at Nathan Adams Elementary School, said she finds joy in supporting students, parents, and staff as the main point of contact for her campus.

Each Aspire Award honoree received a glass plaque to recognize their hard work. They also participated in giveaways with prizes that encouraged recipients to relax and enjoy. They were also gifted with floral table arrangements. The celebration reflected the spirit of Maya Angelou’s iconic words, echoed by Superintendent Stephanie S. Elizalde.

“People may forget what you say. People may even forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel,” said Elizalde during her address to the Aspire Award recipients.

Elizalde took a moment to thank support personnel for their dedication and kindness to students and teachers, reminding honorees that much like the meaningful stories told in country western music, their authenticity, genuine passion for serving others, and daily commitment wea

ve the storyline that supports Dallas ISD.

“We want to celebrate you. Not only for what you do, but truly for who you are,” Elizalde said to the hundreds of Aspire Award honorees. “You set the tone. You model the values we aspire to see in every student who walks through the doors. You make Dallas ISD stronger, kinder and better every single day.”