Do your new year’s goals include a desire to improve as a leader and communicator? Is 2018 the year you invest in expanding your professional skills? Dallas ISD Talk It Up! Toastmasters can help you achieve these goals. Learn more at an open house at 11:30 a.m., Mon., Jan. 29, in the ninth floor conference room at 9400 N. Central Expwy. Go here or call (972) 925-3915 for additional information.
Teachers, administrators and central staff employees who supported the December 2 and December 9 Dallas ISD school fairs are urged to respond to a survey to provide feedback on the events. Please visithttps://www.surveymonkey.com/r/discoverdallasisd17 by Monday, Jan. 22, with suggestions to improve the quality of this districtwide recruitment effort.
Dallas ISD will honor its 2017-2018 Teacher of the Year finalists and announce the winners next week at a special reception sponsored by Central Market.
Learn who the finalists are below.
Elementary Finalists
• Tamesha Connaughton, physical education, George Bannerman Dealey International Academy
• Gina Maffucci, fourth-grade reading language arts/social studies, Arthur Kramer Elementary School
• Sarah Jane Rust, second-grade math/science, Stonewall Jackson Elementary School
• Josue Tamarez Torres, fifth-grade math, Annie Webb Blanton Elementary School
• Courtney Thomas, kindergarten, Urban Park Elementary School
Secondary Finalists
• Jennifer Cambre, Pre-AP Biology, Pre-AP Chemistry, AP Chemistry for grades 9-12, School of Science and Engineering
• Beth Poquette Drews, mariachi, orchestra, guitar for grades 6-8, L.V. Stockard Middle School
• Nedra Johnson, science for grades 6-8, Alex W. Spence Middle School
• Emily Schick, sixth- and seventh-grade Pre-AP science, Irma Rangel Young Women’s Leadership School
• Kayla Takats, seventh-grade language arts, Ann Richards Middle School
All teachers named Teacher of the Year at their campuses were honored at a reception in October. This group of campus winners were invited to apply for the district award.
The application process included a review of the candidate’s community involvement, professional development, two written essays and required three endorsements from students, parents, colleagues or a mentor. A variety of current and former Dallas ISD school leadership, former winners and finalists and community supporters assisted in a blind review and scored the essays and endorsements. Separating the teachers by categories, the average of these scores lead us to our finalists who were interviewed by a panel.
The National Society of High School Scholars has named Thelvie Cullins, Jr., an Advanced Placement Calculus teacher at the School for the Talented and Gifted, as a Top Ten 2017 Claes Nobel Educator of the Year.
This is the second year in a row that Cullins has received this honor.
According to the National Society of High School Scholars, Cullins aids students in both grasping difficult mathematical concepts and developing into hard-working, passionate learners.
“Mr. Cullins’ personal classroom results are astounding, but what is most impressive is the impact he’s had on those around him and our school,” TAG Principal Ben Mackey said.
The Educator of the Year Award recognizes ten exemplary educators who have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to preparing students for success. These 10 educators, who are all members of the Claes Nobel Educators of Distinction program, applied for the Educator of the Year Award to spotlight their accomplishments. Since the inception of the Educators of Distinction program in 2004, NSHSS has recognized more than 40,000 educators worldwide.
“I am honored to receive this recognition. It lets me know that everything I do sincerely for students, not only can I do it and have the students benefit, but it also seems to be recognized in some kind of way,” Cullins said. “That gives students more confidence in me, and it gives me more confidence in what I’m doing and in my ultimate goal: helping other people.”
Angie Gaylord has been appointed acting deputy chief of the Office of Transformation and Innovation.
Gaylord has served Dallas ISD as executive director of Professional Development and Digital Learning since 2016. Her previous experience in education includes serving Irving ISD as division director of Professional and Digital Development and as principal of Lady Bird Johnson and Crockett middle schools.
At Lady Bird Johnson Middle School, she was instrumental in the development of the country’s first Net Zero School. In 2011, she was honored by the Texas Education Agency for her contributions to innovative systems and teaching in Texas.
Gaylord holds a degree in kinesiology and biology from the University of North Texas and a master’s in educational administration from California State University, Los Angeles.
In her new role, Gaylord will report to Deputy Superintendent Israel Cordero.
Dallas ISD has some incredible campus leaders; just look at the candidates for the 2017 Dallas ISD Principal of the Year as proof!
Top Dallas ISD campus leaders vying for 2017 Principal of the Year honors
Watch the above video to hear from the principals share what they enjoy most about their work.
Long-ago campus colleagues reunite as 2017 Principals of the Year
Dallas ISD educators and administrators can now apply for a $20,000 scholarship to continue their post-baccalaureate education to benefit the Dallas ISD community and its students.
The Credit Union of Texas established the William H. Cotton Scholarship in 2016. The scholarship is named after William H. Cotton, a Dallas ISD and credit union trailblazer.
Teachers and administrators can go here to learn more and download the scholarship application.
Eligibility requirements for scholarship applicants include:
The scholarship entry packed must be postmarked by March 30.
The past winners of the scholarship are Nancy Bernardino, the principal of Dallas ISD’s Solar Preparatory School for Girls, and Zumwalt Middle School teacher Shareefah Nadir-Mason
“The Credit Union of Texas believes it is important to invest in the future of Dallas ISD educators because the future of the school district is directly tied to the quality of its leadership and teachers,” CUTX said in a statement. “Anytime we can support the Dallas ISD in its efforts to distinguish itself as one of the best urban school districts in the nation, it is in our best interests to do so because we know that a strong and healthy Dallas ISD means that the Credit Union of Texas enhances its chances of continuing as a strong and viable financial institution. Given our long and storied history together as partners, we want all Dallas ISD employees and families to think of the Credit Union of Texas as their partner of choice for all of their financial needs.”
Dallas ISD’s United Way employee giving campaign ended up raising $120,000, which far surpasses the original $80,000 goal!
The campaign supports the many United Way programs that directly benefit district students and families. These programs include: after-school, scouting, early childhood, parent education, college and career readiness, homeless education, summer camps, mentoring, STEM, tutoring and many more programs.
As part of their holiday luncheon and the Principal of the Year ceremony earlier this month, a few Dallas ISD campus leaders didn’t mind looking a little silly in the spirit of competition – namely an Ugly Sweater contest.
After lunch, it was time for the holiday sweaters to rear their ugly threads.
Eight principals strutted their crazy stuff for their peers, but only three could claim bragging rights (and gift certificates) as having donned the wackiest, tackiest seasonal apparel.
First place: Ben Dickerson, Edward H. Cary Middle School
Second place: Rachel Moon, Rosemont
Third place: Stephanie Amaya, John Ireland Elementary School
Central Staff employees can now take their learning to the next level with dozens of online and video-based courses. These include titles such as Lead with Compassion, Build a Team, The Seven Habits of Highly Effectively People, Six Sigma, and more. These online learning opportunities are available around the clock, accessible from a computer, tablet or other mobile device–for the first 300 Central Staff employees who sign up. Go here to review a list of training sessions, and register today.