Staff News

Education is a life-long endeavor, and no one exemplifies the continuous pursuit of learning like Dallas ISD employees. Congratulations to all who worked their jobs and their studies during the 2020-2021 year to earn a variety of degrees.

Personalized learning teachers who just completed their Blended and Personalized Learning Graduate Certificate from Texas Tech University:

• Juan Moreno, Personalized Learning Preparatory at Sam Houston Elementary
• Angelica Leal Ventura, Henry B. Gonzalez Personalized Learning Academy
• Jorge Alvarado, Dan D. Rogers Elementary
• Yesel Gutierrez, Solar Preparatory for Girls
• Lasonja Metcalf, Thelma Richardson Elementary
• Tiffany Hardy, Thelma Richardson Elementary
• Laura Reed, Jack Lowe Sr. Elementary
• Mayra Valencia, Personalized Learning Preparatory at Sam Houston Elementary
• Dania Marrero, Arturo Salazar Elementary
• Katerias Hill-Jones, Personalized Learning Preparatory at Sam Houston Elementary
• Yesenia Amador, Arturo Salazar Elementary

Dallas ISD thanks all 2021 retirees for their service and commitment to the children of Dallas and wishes them the best in this next stage. For the list of retirees, click here.

Gail David Dupree—40 years or service

After 40 years at Dallas ISD, Gail David Dupree is retiring and looking forward to traveling with his wife to the 22 of the 50 states they have yet to visit. He would also like to work as a crossing guard for the elementary school near their house and being a full-time grandfather.

Dupree has worked his entire career in education at Dallas ISD, where he started as a teacher and coach at Hillcrest High School in 1981 after graduating from Iowa State University. He coached boys’ football and basketball and led the basketball team to a state championship in 1987—one of his proudest moments. He was also an assistant principal at Thomas Jefferson High School and then Hillcrest High School. In 2005, when David W. Carter needed a new principal to welcome refugees from New Orleans after Katrina and students from Wilmer-Hutchins after Dallas ISD incorporated it. Most recently, Dupree has been executive director of Student Discipline.

Dupree answered a few questions about his career in Dallas ISD.

When did you know you wanted to be in education?

I wanted to play football, but I had bad luck when I was young and broke my leg four times. I was told I had to leave football alone, so I decided that if I could not play it, I would coach. After graduation, I came to Dallas to be near my sister because my mother wanted me to keep an eye on her. Also, I needed to go where football was king and where there were more African-American teachers and football coaches in schools. Growing up, I only one teacher who was African American.

What’s your most memorable moment in the Dallas ISD?

My most memorable moment was when I was given the Carter High School principal job. I was an assistant principal and one night, I saw on the news these videos of fights at Carter and thought, “Look at those kids down there fighting, someone needs to take care of that.” The next day, I got a call to come meet with Dr. Hinojosa and was offered the Carter job. I was there for six and a half years, and after the first full year there, we got off the low performing list. We had tremendous support from the administration and a great staff. That was the most amazing moment along with winning the championship. We just went to work. Every graduation was a joyous occasion for me.

When did you know you were making a difference as an educator?

I knew when I was at Hillcrest High School. Hillcrest was like 90 percent Anglo at the time, and we were bringing in at least seven buses from South Dallas and Oak Cliff or minority students every day. I worked to help kids blend in. Coming from Iowa with majority white schools, I didn’t feel there should be a difference at all. After seeing the football team sitting at different tables based on ethnicity, I made them sit together. When I got to Carter, I had the mindset that I was going to change the world.

What is the most important thing about mentoring new educators?

The most important part thing is leading by example. You have to show them what you are trying to get them to learn. You have to be consistent. I tell them that one of the ways to deal with kids is to get to the root of what’s going on and show them respect and fairness no matter how hard you are on them.

What do you think is your legacy?

I think it’s helping people. I really was able to help a lot of people move up and be administrators. I have always been fair and someone people can come to for advice. I will always be the one who tells you the truth. If you come into my office and want to talk, you should be prepared to hear what other people don’t want to tell you. I’m going to tell you.

When I was principal at Carter, we raised $2,800 in four hours for a young man who was an outstanding football player from L.G. Pinkston High School who had gotten hurt and was paralyzed. We presented the check at the game against Pinkston. One of our teachers was involved in a big giant tornado in Garland that took everything of hers. The school and the community brought clothes and donations to help her get back on her feet. We pay things forward.

What is your advice to those who are just now starting their career in education?

1. Make sure you love children or the students you work with, and make sure you love what you’re doing because it’s going to be a rollercoaster.
2. Be flexible and understanding that things change. Blessed are the flexible because they are the hardest to get bent out of shape. Things change all the time, sometimes in the middle of the day.
3. Be fair and consistent. Treat people the way you want to be treated whether it is colleagues or students.

Starting in the 2021-2022 school year, students at select high schools will have access to new courses to enrich their educational experience thanks to a new virtual education environment.

This fall, students at W.H. Adamson, David W. Carter, Justin F. Kimball, Moisés E. Molina, L.G. Pinkston, Franklin D. Roosevelt, South Oak Cliff and Sunset high schools will be able to participate in classes not normally offered at their schools.

Students in all grade levels at these schools will have access to Advanced Placement world history and statistics as well as to Italian and German courses through virtual instruction in their classrooms. The courses are aligned with the curriculum and will be led by qualified teachers working remotely from Career Institute South

“When we were looking at schools in the south and southwest, we found that campuses did not provide equitable access to rigorous coursework,” said Mitch Morken, director of Advanced Academic Services. “We started looking for solutions.”

The solution—this new virtual approach—means that instead of hiring several teachers to teach at each school, the district can hire a teacher qualified in each subject who can teach students at various schools throughout the week.

When it comes to language offerings, the district offers Spanish at the high schools already, but the new approach adds two other language choices for students who already speak Spanish or are interested in a different language, said Amy Anderton, director of World Languages.

“This opens up new opportunities for students in schools in the south,” she said.

Deputy Chief Technology Officer Laurie Vondersaar, who started with Dallas ISD June 7, will oversee districtwide technology operations and campus technology support. Prior to coming to Dallas, Vondersaar was assistant superintendent of Strategic Initiative and Communication for Lovejoy ISD. In her 21 years of experience, she has also held the position of chief technology officer at various districts. She holds bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies and a master’s degrees in computer education and cognitive systems from the University of North Texas and a doctorate in educational administration from Concordia University.

The Board of Trustees will hold its regular monthly briefing at 11:30 a.m. During the meeting, the board will review and discuss reports on:

• The 87th Texas Legislative Agenda
• District Cooperative Purchasing Agreements with Related Fees and Purposes
• Racial Equity Update–Equitable Leadership & Operations
• 2021-2022 District Improvement Plan (DIP)
• Re-Defined Discipline in Dallas ISD
• Operation Connectivity Update

To view the meeting, visit the district’s website for a link at www.dallasisd.org starting at 11:30 a.m. To view the agenda, visit https://go.boarddocs.com/tx/disd/Board.nsf/vpublic?open.

After months of winter and the soggy weeks of spring, people are ready to enjoy the sunny days that summer brings. Make sure that you are enjoying them safely by protecting your skin regardless of your skin pigmentation.

Protection starts with choosing the correct sunscreen. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, when selecting a sunscreen, make sure the label includes the following information*:

• Broad spectrum:The words “broad spectrum” means that the sunscreen can protect your skin from both types of harmful UV rays — the UVA rays and the UVB rays.
• SPF 30 or higher:The American Academy of Dermatology recommends that you select a sunscreen with an SPF rating of 30 or higher.
• Water resistant: Dermatologists also recommend that you look for the words “water resistant.” This tells you that the sunscreen will stay on wet or sweaty skin for a while before you need to reapply. Water resistance lasts either 40 or 80 minutes. Not all sunscreens offer water resistance.

Once you have the right sunscreen, you need to apply it correctly for effective protection. Sunscreen is safe and can protect your skin against skin cancer and premature aging. Follow these tips from AAD dermatologists when applying sunscreen*:

1. Apply sunscreen before going outdoors. It takes approximately 15 minutes for your skin to absorb the sunscreen and protect you. If you wait until you are in the sun to apply sunscreen, your skin is unprotected and can burn.
2. Apply enough sunscreen. Most adults need about 1 ounce—or enough to fill a shot glass—to fully cover their body. Rub the sunscreen thoroughly into your skin.
3. Apply sunscreen to all skin not covered by clothing. Remember your neck, face, ears, tops of your feet and legs. For hard‐to‐reach areas like your back, ask someone to help you or use a spray sunscreen. If you have thinning hair, either apply sunscreen to your scalp or wear a wide‐brimmed hat. To protect your lips, apply a lip balm with a SPF of at least 15.
4. To remain protected when outdoors, reapply sunscreen every two hours, or immediately after swimming or sweating. People who get sunburned usually didn’t use enough sunscreen, didn’t reapply it after being in the sun, or used an expired product. Your skin is exposed to the sun’s harmful UV rays every time you go outside, even on cloudy days and in the winter.

Whether you are on vacation or taking a brisk walk in your neighborhood, remember to use sunscreen.

*Source: American Academy Of Dermatology https://www.aad.org/public

Hard work, perseverance and the need to help others succeed has led Angela Hernandez, to find herself at home as a fourth-grade teacher at John Quincy Adams Elementary School.

Hernandez started her journey with Dallas ISD as a 2011 graduate of Skyline High School and became a teacher’s assistant in prekindergarten after graduation. She enjoyed engaging the campus’s youngest students and their parents so much and did such a great job that she transitioned into a new assignment as a parent liaison at the school.

“I really enjoyed working with parents and building community connections that ultimately helped students succeed,” Hernandez said.

While serving as a liaison, Hernandez earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of North Texas at Dallas—the first person in her family to do so.

Thanks to Dallas ISD’s Alternative Certification Program, she was able to complete her teacher certification while maintaining her full-time job at Adams Elementary, where she is now a teacher.

Hernandez acknowledges that teaching has its challenges, but she wouldn’t do anything differently.

“I live for ‘light bulb moments when students learn and finally get it,” Hernandez said. “I love helping students understand that they can succeed and accomplish anything. I’m proof that this is true.”

The students, parents, and staff of Adams Elementary appreciate Hernandez’s contribution and all that she brings to their campus.

“Angela is a passionate, dedicated, resilient, and courageous teacher who loves education and does not cease to continually reflect and grow to serve our Pleasant Grove community regardless of the challenges life puts in front of her,” said Yoshiko Reyes, Adams Elementary principal.

Because Dallas ISD offers free meals to all its students, all families are eligible to receive the Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT), a one-time benefit provided by the State of Texas for eligible families to buy food.

Eligibility includes:

• Children up to 21 years old who are certified for free or reduced-price meals at school in Texas during the 2020-2021 school year.
• Children 5-18 years old who received SNAP food benefits for at least one month between October 2020 and June 2021.
• Children who attend a school that offers free meals to all students, such as Dallas ISD schools

Texas Health and Human Services will put funds in the Lone Star Card accounts of families who get SNAP benefits and whose children are approved for P-EBT. Families who are approved after submitting the application will receive a P-EBT card loaded with benefits from Health and Human Services.

Enrolled students (up to 21 years of age) in families that temporarily lost access to free or reduced-price school meals for the 2020–2021 school year due to the COVID-19 pandemic may be eligible to receive P-EBT. These benefits can be used to buy food from any retailer that accepts the Lone Star Card.

The application for P-EBT opened June 2, 2021. Go to yourtexasbenefits.com/Learn/PEBT to apply. The application link is case-sensitive. The deadline to apply is Aug. 13, 2021.

Who Needs to Apply?

• A parent/guardian must apply if eligible child is:
  • Enrolled in K-12 and NOT part of a family who received SNAP benefits for at least one month between August 2020 and June 2021.
  • Born on or before Aug. 1, 2014, and part of a family who received SNAP benefits for the first time during the 2020–2021 school year in May or June 2021.
• A parent/guardian does not have to apply if eligible child is:
  • Born on or before Aug. 1, 2014, and part of a family who received SNAP benefits for at least one month between August 2020 and April 2021.
  • Born after Aug. 1, 2014, and part of a family who received SNAP benefits for at least one month between October 2020 and June 2021.

For more information about eligibility, applying and getting your P-EBT benefits, visit hhs.texas.gov/pebt, or call the P-EBT call center at 833-442-1255, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-6 p.m.