Staff News

Dallas ISD team members support students in the classroom and, often, outside the classroom as mentors. National Mentoring Month recognizes their efforts to help students succeed.

Many of them mentor students through the Racial Equity Office’s mentorship programs for African American and emergent bilingual students in an effort to eliminate disparities. The African American Student Mentor and Emergent Bilingual (EB) Mentor programs provide intentional support to a cohort of students on every campus in Dallas ISD. 

During the fall of 2023, over 270 mentors engaged approximately 2,700 students. 

Research shows that mentors play a powerful role in the lives of young people by providing them with positive interactions that help them make good choices, improve school attendance, and engage in learning while avoiding negative behaviors. Students who have a mentor are more likely to finish school and attend college, more likely to participate regularly in sports and extracurricular activities, and to participate in community activities. 

If you are a mentor or were mentored as a student, join REO’s social media and website to celebrate the programs’ accomplishments during January at  Facebook @DALLASISDREO, X (Formally Twitter) @DISDREO, and  Instagram @DISDREO.

Dallas ISD team members are starting 2024 with some health and fitness goals and plenty of tips to stick to them. Some joined gyms and others took up yoga, many have started drinking more water and eating more fruits and vegetables, and all are doing it to get healthier for themselves and their families. Here are some of the things team members said.

Edward Titche Elementary’s Conservation and Health Club is planning to exercise more in 2024. Its members weigh themselves every morning and breathe more easily. They are committed to drinking green smoothies and more water, and eating more fresh fruit and vegetables.

“I will be lowering my carb and sugar intake. My motivation is my daughter. She is an athlete and getting healthier every day. She inspires me.

“I am walking during the evenings. I think I am eating healthy, drinking more water and fewer sugary drinks.”

“I have set up an alarm on my phone when to start walking. I am diabetic, and I have an insulin pump on, so I have been watching and recording my carb intake. I remind myself of what I’m eating so that I can have this pump removed.”

“I go to the gym no less than four times a week. I work on various areas of my body and seeing the change and getting stronger is my motivation. I have lost over 50 pounds, so I am motivated to be a healthier 52-year-old. Yes, I have cut out pork, chicken and beef from my diet. I have increased my intake of fruits and vegetables. I have also decreased my intake of carbohydrates. Instead of meeting people for lunch or dinner, I meet with them at the track or at the gym.”

“I have been planning to get in shape for a while! When I realized my 10-year-old middle child has a little too much energy during the school days, I asked him if he’d like to start working out together before school to help get a little more focused. We have been working out each morning before we start getting ready for school, and, so far, it’s been a success! We plan to keep it up as long as we can. Even 15 minutes each morning is better than nothing. This is my second year doing Veganuary (eating vegan all January long). It is a huge challenge (I miss cheese), but it forces me to find different ways to make my vegetables taste so much better and to have them be the focus of each of my meals. I made a taco bowl for the whole family a couple of days ago and the kids didn’t even realize there was no meat! When I’m making my family healthy, it keeps me motivated to do the same. Improvement! Improvement keeps me motivated. When I look in the mirror and my belly isn’t sticking out as far, I know I’m doing the right thing. When my three kids want to get involved in ensuring our healthier lifestyle persists, their faces keep me motivated.”

“I am planning on actively implementing my strategy to support my daughter in her physical and emotional recovery following a major injury (ACL rupture). As she is an avid and successful athlete, our family has enrolled at a nearby gym. I am making it a priority to return home early every day, preparing to head to the gym. This new activity is seamlessly integrated into my routine, ensuring that I don’t overlook cooking a healthy dinner and taking the dogs for a walk. I mentioned earlier that I am focused on maintaining a healthy diet. Given the history of autoimmune diseases and high/low blood pressure in my family, I have chosen to exclusively consume whole foods while avoiding gluten and dairy. Occasionally, I might indulge in a tequeño, but that remains an exception rather than the norm. I used to share the perspective that New Year resolutions were not for me, but the alternative of being unhealthy is too daunting. One strategy I employ for any difficult or challenging endeavor is to tackle it alongside family or friends. ¡Salud!”

“I’m training for the Oklahoma City Memorial Half Marathon, and I joined the Dallas Running Club’s Training Program. My son, a junior at Emmett J. Conrad High School, is training for the Marathon distance of the same race. My younger son, a freshman, is running the marathon relay with some friends. To stay on track with my healthy eating, I’m tracking my intake on LifeSum, as well as planning my meals ahead of time. When you’re training for a race, it’s easy to get extra hungry and derail your healthy eating attempts. My family is training with me.”

“I’ve had gym memberships and found that it was so hard to motivate myself to go, so I’ve decided to clear a space in my garage and in my home where I will do at least 15 to 30 minutes of some sort of exercise. I do at least 100 crunches every day. The number one goal is to be in a better mental space for 2024. Being an empty nester, I have more time to read, meditate and do me. Being a single mom and balancing work life with home life takes intentional planning. I find when I am in a better head space I can think clearer, be better and actually enjoy the things I do. With being an empty nester, I can cook less and have such an awesome role model in my eldest daughter, in learning how to meal prep. I am not restricted to cooking every day, with it just being me at home. As long as the four-legged babies are good, I think my eating habits will get better, and I can return to my ovo-pescatarian diet. I found I had more energy and felt better all around. Now, don’t ask me to give up my coffee, that is not happening…lol. I’ve created a vision board with the things I want to accomplish for this year, and this is my little accountability measure for myself. Since this is 2024, I have come up with 24 things, and of course, a healthier me is important. My goal is not to lose any kind of weight or reach some summer body, but to be healthier and avoid any costly medication that I would have to take to keep me alive.”

“I will do yoga five times a week and fast walk during my 15 minute break around the garden. I will look at my picture to remind myself how I feel when I look at myself and talk to people and watch videos to have a healthier lifestyle. I plan to change for the long run, so I am gradually changing what I eat. I first changed ground beef to ground turkey. I am eating more protein to keep me full. This is just for right now as I get in a routine of this, I will add two more. I also only eat one plate. I try cooking new healthy foods to share with my family. If they like it, too, then it stays on the menu.”

“After two surgeries on my hand within four months of each other, I finally got cleared by my physical therapist to go back to the gym. So, Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday are my gym days. I stay on track by keeping a schedule and sticking to it. Bariatric surgery and a high protein diet have helped me lose over 100 pounds in the past two years. I am just 20 pounds from my goal weight. Being able to get back in the gym and making sure to stick to my protein goals will help me get those last few pounds off.”

To help team members with their health and fitness goals, Human Capital Management’s Benefits Department offers several discounts in this area through the Employee Discount Program. Visit www.dallasisd.org/benefits to access the Employee Discount Program or click on this link to view the health and fitness discounts.

Dallas ISD departments and schools wanting to expand their knowledge on the Core 4 culture tenets—focused, fast, flexible, and friendly—have the opportunity to request a Core 4 training. 

You may have team members who are new to the district, or perhaps your team needs a refresher on Core 4 to keep the momentum going. There are a variety of Core 4 trainings offered, which vary in length. They are:

• a one-hour overview of Core 4
• a deep-dive into Core 4 (2-hour workshop)
• a series of four 30-minute Core 4 training sessions
• a mini Core 4 overview  (30-minute session)

In preparation for the training, the facilitator will coordinate a meeting with the person requesting the training to ensure the training fits your department’s needs and expectations. Trainings are offered in-person, virtually, or a hybrid of both. We’re here for you to support your Core 4 goals. 

Core 4 trainings are taking place right now. Don’t forget to reserve yours. To request training for your department or campus, fill out this form. For more resources and more detailed information about Core 4, visit the main website at https://www.dallasisd.org/core4.

Building a culture of reading includes reading at home–so why not earn prizes while doing so? In the Mavs Reading Challenge, students in grades kinder through 12th who read for 20 minutes a day for 40 days can win prizes. The contest runs through March 8. 

Students have until then to log 20 minutes a day of reading for at least 40 days to complete the challenge. Upon completion, students will be awarded a Whataburger completion certificate, a free meal coupon from participating Whataburger locations, and a Mavs swag bag. The top 20 students will receive two tickets to a Mavs game, and the student who reads the most minutes will receive a Mavs Mascot visit to their classroom. 

Team members needing help finding reading lists for their students, can contact their school librarian. You can also visit the Dallas ISD Library and Media Services website for e-books, reading lists, and other resources by visiting:  https://www.dallasisd.org/librarymediaservices

Participants can enter as an individual student or with their class or group. To register as an individual student, click here. To register as a class or group, click here. 

You can also visit https://www.mavs.com/readingchallenge/ for more information.

Dallas ISD team members are guided by a culture rooted in four tenets—friendly, fast, focused, flexible. These culture tenets ensure that all team members work collaboratively with each other and with all other stakeholders for the success of students. While all team members embrace this culture on different levels, some are champions of the Core 4. This quarter, four of these champions in central administration will be recognized for their exemplary work in one of each of the four tenets. The champions were chosen by a committee from a list of candidates submitted by schools and departments. The recognition includes a gift bag with Core 4 memorabilia and use of the Core 4 Champion parking spot at the Linus D. Wright Dallas ISD Administration Building. Meet the winners.

Friendly

Stephanie Espinoza

Accounts Payable

Stephanie is so kind and helpful. She provided information and resources from her department that I’ve never before received in the way she shared it. It was all in one place, well organized, clear and concise. The effort to be of service was evident in her approach and communication. Not only that, she also opted not to delay our request by rejecting an item missing information. Rather, she gave very clear notes on what was missing, instructions to access it and allowed me to send her the information directly. This allowed me to submit the missing item, which she had access to attach, without having to start all the way over on approvals. To receive this kind of service is not only appreciated, it’s made me strive to provide the exact same service to those I work with. It’s inspiring and refreshing.

Fast

Brandon Harper

Career and Technical Education

In the Dallas ISD, the embodiment of our commitment to responsiveness, accuracy, and accountability is personified in individuals such as Brandon Harper. Regardless of the urgency of requests, Brandon consistently delivers exceptional work. In his capacity as the coordinator for special projects, he supports 12 coordinators, two managers, and a director, undertaking responsibilities that include creating social media content, marketing collaterals, event promotions, and data reports, oftentimes at the last hour. Brandon executes these tasks with unwavering fidelity and urgency, delving deep into data, policies, and relevant information sources to ensure the precision of his work.

Brandon’s notable synchronization of time with task importance is evident in his prompt responses to requests from all stakeholders. His proactive problem-solving approach and adaptability to unforeseen circumstances highlight a commitment to fostering equitable outcomes.

In every interaction, Brandon not only demonstrates intentionality and urgency but also underscores his dedication to the values of responsiveness, accuracy, and accountability within the Dallas ISD. His proactive stance in seeking solutions and anticipating potential issues reflects a commitment to excellence that permeates every facet of his role.

Focused

Tabatha Sustaita-Robb

Library & Media Services

Tabatha is the library services coordinator. She is strategically-minded, intentional, and focused on supporting the district’s goals through the services the department offers. Tabatha has supported the updates in the district-library evaluation, planned and led effective professional development for librarians, and even supported students directly last year when she served as a substitute teacher at H. Grady Spruce High School. She is a team player who moved her way up from a librarian at Thomas Edison Middle School and Dallas Environmental Science Academy to library coordinator. She has supported the Alternative Certification Program by conducting training sessions for their evening cohort. She runs the department Twitter account (now known as X) with almost 4,000 followers and ensures the department always finds ways to collaborate with other groups for maximum impact. 

Flexible

Lacey Kalina

Devan Trussell

Academic Services Curriculum Videographers 

The videographers demonstrate flexibility in their approach, acknowledging the challenges of attending all requested shoots due to the high volume of demands. However, they also provide alternatives such as creating final products from footage shared by the requester, revisiting existing footage to meet specific needs, and offering guidance on capturing footage or using video editing software to empower others in the process.

Art teachers looking for opportunities for their students’ work to be featured can look into the 2024 DART Student Art Contest. This year’s theme is “Explore DART’s 13 cities.” The deadline to enter is Thursday, Feb. 29. 

 The contest is open to students in kinder through 12th grade. Judges will select one “Best of Show Winner” from all the entries. The Best of Show winner will have their artwork featured on DART rail stations and buses and DART website and will also receive a cash prize. 

 The first-place winner in the kindergarten through second-grade category, the third- through fifth-grade category, and the middle school category will receive a cash prize. The first-place winner in the high school category will receive a prize and will have their art featured at DART rail stations and trains. Runners-up and honorable mentions in all categories will receive prizes.

For more information about the contest, visit here or contact chuerta@DART.org. 

Students, colleagues and community members at Seagoville High School are proud of the accomplishments of Charque Chenard, a drill team director and dance teacher at the school. Most recently, Chenard was one of six Dallas ISD dance educators who were literally in the spotlight when they were paired up with local celebrities in a dancing challenge. 

The Dancing-with-the-Stars-like competition and showcase was part of the Dallas Education Foundation’s annual gala, “HeART of Teaching: Dancing with the Stars,” which raises funds that benefit district initiatives and students.

Charque was paired up with Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins, who she says stepped up to the challenge and was a joy to work with. To watch a video of Charque and some of the dance educators who participated, click on this link.

According to Charque, participating in the gala and working with Judge Jenkins allowed her to not only work with one of the top leaders in the county, but also to do one of her favorite aspects of her job: choreographing and creating. So when she got chosen along with the other educators to participate, she embraced the challenge.

Through this type of work, she is teaching her students to seize opportunities and challenges. She is leading by example. 

“I showed my students that even though I’m their teacher, I’m out here advocating for arts education and still moving and doing things as a professional dancer,” Charque said.

Chenard has been teaching at Seagoville High School for the past two years, and previously taught for six years at Seagoville Middle School. She said it was her students who made the transition easier, as her former middle school students who were now in high school, took on leadership roles, helping new students adjust to the rules and expectations of her dance classes. 

She not only teaches them different dance genres, such as modern, contemporary, and ballet, she also teaches them skills that will help them be successful in their high school and college careers. She tries to show her students the connections between the lessons that they learn in dance and the lessons that they use in life. Being professional in dance and in life is something they talk a lot about in her classroom, she said Chenard.

“I tell them to listen to these lessons for life—lessons about being responsible, committing to something, showing up on time, and so on,” Charque said. “I help them connect the dots between what my expectations for them are and how that could play out in their everyday life once they leave my classroom.” 

 Last school year, Charque took her students to visit her college and showed them her old stamping grounds at Texas Woman’s University so they could see where she trained to be a professional dancer and to be their teacher. 

“I try to really just lead by example and show them every day the effects that the arts have had on me,” she said. 

It was when she was a student at David W. Carter High School, where she was co-captain of her dance team, that she found her calling to pursue dance as a profession. But it wasn’t until she was studying dance at TWU that her dean suggested she become a dance educator, because not only would she be fulfilling her passion, but would also add to the diversity that was needed in this field. Students need to see teachers that look like them, said Charque. 

“To see a teacher of color that the students can relate to, I think it impacts them in a major way,” Charque said. 

Even after receiving feedback from community members who considered dance as a hobby and not a profession, she received support from her grandmother throughout her journey to become a professional dancer and dance educator. 

“I remember having so many conversations with her, and it was interesting to see everything come to fruition—to see everything unfold for her,” Chenard said. “I want my students to see that everything is possible.”

 Charque says that not all of her students are interested in dance or in becoming performers, but she keeps them informed about the different opportunities available in the dance field other than being a dancer, such as technical designers that work on lighting, sets, costumes, sound engineers, stage managers, and many other careers in dance and the performing arts. 

One of her favorite things about being a dance educator is the connections she makes with her students, and getting to make a difference on a personal level. Several of her former students who are in college reach out to her, and she still calls them to see how they’re doing.  

Whether her students pursue dance or any related field or not she says the work that her students put in her class pushes them mentally and physically, and these experiences help them grow and prepare for future opportunities. 

To learn more about the Dallas Education Foundation event, visit dallasedfound.org/heart-of-teaching-2023. 

Whether team members work at the Linus D. Wright Dallas ISD Administration Building or visit from other district locations, parking can sometimes be a challenge. But making sure to remember the district’s culture tenets of the Core 4 by being flexible and friendly can lead to a positive experience for all. 

While some lots and levels may fill quicker than others, it’s important to follow all parking guidelines and to be patient.  

Please keep in mind the following:

• Dallas ISD team members are prohibited from parking in visitor spaces, which allows students, families, and guests easy access to the building.
• Four main areas for Dallas ISD employees to park include the west, east, and north garages. 
• All garages, except the north, require an access card to enter for those based at 9400. The lower east garage is reserved.
• Team members who have forgotten their access card may use the call button to enter general employee garages.
• Double parking is not permitted. This includes blocking other cars in and occupying more than one parking space at a time by straddling the lines. Those who do not follow this guideline may receive additional action from the district.
• Compact car parking spaces are designated only for small vehicles that can easily move in and out of the spot without blocking others on either side or taking up two spaces.
• Team members are not allowed to park at Dave & Buster’s under any circumstance. Employees who are observed using that lot risk being towed.

Please remember, being courteous and considerate is part of the Core 4 culture and will help everyone have a more positive parking experience. For additional questions or information, please contact Scherry Byrd at scbyrd@dallasisd.org.

The start of the year is a good time to review financial trends, establish goals, and make choices that will help you have some financial discipline. This financial discipline—how you spend and save—will help you achieve long-term monetary goals. Often, that means prioritizing a larger, long-term reward over an enticing, but smaller, short-term benefit. For example, enjoying an extravagant dinner is fun for a few hours, but using that money to pay down your credit card may save you a lot in interest over the long run. And if one of your long-term goals is to be debt free, making a larger credit card payment now moves you closer to achieving that goal in the future.

Conforming spending and saving behavior to financial goals may come easier for some than others. But everyone can work on honing this skill. Researchers have found that certain strategies can establish and improve the self-control needed to spend and save wisely.

Build the habit of self-discipline

Whatever your age, income, or life situation, these steps can help you lay the foundation for a disciplined approach to managing your money.

Assess your financial situation. To exercise financial discipline, you need to know where you stand currently. How in control of your finances do you feel? How prepared would you be if you were to face a financial setback or emergency? At this point, you may want to consider your future financial goals.

Develop a financial plan. Once you’ve assessed your situation, identify any areas in which your current actions don’t line up with your future goals. Then, think about what you could do to improve this alignment. Let’s say one of your goals is a secure retirement but you’re currently contributing little or nothing to your retirement account. You might draw up a budget that allocates more money for retirement savings—and less for clothes, gifts, or entertainment.

Set guidelines and rules for yourself. Setting guidelines for yourself is a prerequisite for financial discipline. You can’t follow your own rules if you don’t know what they are. Speak with a financial counselor if you need some help creating your financial plan.

Set target dates for goals. For example, you might set a goal to pay off your mortgage early. First, focus on a date instead of how many weeks, months, or years are left to go. Then, create a detailed plan outlining how much you will have to pay extra each month to pay it off by that date. Studies show that framing time this way is more conducive to long-term financial patience. 

Expand your knowledge. No matter how much or how little you know about money management, there’s always more to learn. Consider taking a class or webinar on investing or buying a home. You may leave with not only more information but newfound inspiration for avoiding impulsive choices.

Manage your emotions. Do you make impulse purchases when you’re feeling stressed or depressed? If your emotions rule your wallet, you may have an increased likelihood of spending more than you intended or making regrettable purchases. Pay attention to your emotional triggers for spending. Then, develop strategies for handling them in a less costly way.

Bolster your financial willpower

Financial discipline is like any skill: You can improve it through practice. These tips can help strengthen your self-control with money.

Keep close tabs on spending. Make a habit of recording and reviewing what you spend each day. Use a notebook or money-management app and compare what you’ve spent to what you have budgeted. Research shows that self-control is more likely to falter when you lose track of your behavior. 

Don’t overtax your self-control. Studies show that trying to make too many choices at once can deplete your willpower. When that happens, you’re prone to hasty, ill-advised decisions. To avoid this, pace your financial decision making as much as you can. Prioritize your goals and focus on the one or two most important goals. If you start feeling overwhelmed, take a break and do something else for a while, but set a time and date to go back and make those pending decisions. Give your willpower a chance to recover.

Remove the element of choice. Another way to give your willpower a break is by reducing the number of choices you need to make. Set up automatic contributions to your savings and investment accounts. 

Focus on dreams for the future

The ability to focus on your future is important for prioritizing long-term goals. Take a few minutes to visualize what your future will look like.

Imagine yourself at different points in time—two or five or 20 years from now. Then remind yourself that the choices you make today influence where you will be at those times. It’s easier to stick to the plan when you think of financial discipline not as depriving yourself today but as giving yourself the future you want. 

Source: Lifeworks

If you need additional support with managing debt and mental health, take advantage of Dallas ISD’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP) by LifeWorks, which is free for employees, 100 percent confidential, and available to all employees and their dependents. 

Sessions through the EAP are available by phone, virtual, and in person. Employees can also find tips, articles, self-assessments, and topical features focusing on specific EAP resources available through the EAP smart App.

To start on your wellness journey please visit dallasisd.lifeworks.com or reach out to the EAP by calling 972-925-4000 and selecting option 3 for EAP.

District school and administrative offices will be closed Monday, Dec. 25, through Friday Jan. 5, 2024. While the district is closed for winter break, team members can still get assistance with their benefits.

Non-emergency assistance

You may reach the Benefits Call Center by calling 972-925-4300 option 2 for wellness. The Benefits Call Center will be closed on Monday, Dec. 25, and Monday, Jan. 1, 2024.

For non-emergency health concerns such as cold and flu, TRS ActiveCare participants can utilize Teladoc at a reduced cost. Call 1-855-Teladoc (835-2362) or visit their main page. If you have never used Teladoc before, you will have to set up your account before you can access the services. You will need to have your name, date of birth, and BCBS member ID number to register.

Flexible Spending Accounts/ Health Savings Account

If you have questions regarding your HSA/ FSA, contact Optum at 877-528-9876 or visit www.optum.com. Optum is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. When you call, you will need your FSA/HSA card number, name, and date of birth. If you are visiting the website, you will need your name, date of birth, social security number or employee ID.

Employee Assistance Program

The holidays can be a difficult time for some employees. If you need assistance making it through this time, please reach out to the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) by calling 972-925-4300 Option 3 EAP. They are available 24 hours/seven days a week.

To access the website or the Telus Health One app you will need your district email address, district username, and password.

• the website Telus Health
• the app: Telus: Health One  

Leaves of Absence

For questions regarding leaves of absence, email benefitsleaves@dallasisd.org.  During the periods in which the district is closed, the email boxes will be monitored periodically to ensure any critical issues are resolved in a timely manner.