Staff News

Dallas ISD continues to be a trailblazer in the field of international recruiting and recently visited Panama City, Panama, to find outstanding bilingual educators to lead district classrooms.

“This was a way to expand the district’s international recruiting efforts, given the current teacher shortage, specifically in the areas of bilingual and special education,” said Rafael Fontalvo, director of the Staffing Department, whose efforts and connections were recently featured in a local story. 

To help get the word out that the district was in Panama to recruit teachers, Fontalvo, who is originally from Panama, appeared on TVN, a national television station in Panama City. The response was successful, as over 150 persons attended the information sessions. 

“It drives us to explore other markets in countries such as Panama, where educators are bilingual and biliterate, which is an area that our school district needs, specifically in the dual language program,” said Diana Castañeda, manager of the Recruitment Department. “Knowing that we have one of the largest dual language programs in the nation, it is important for us to sustain and meet those needs of the students so they can continue to have successful outcomes.”

In past years, the district has recruited teachers in Mexico and Puerto Rico, but this is the first time the district has taken the recruitment efforts to Panama.  

The district chose Panama based on data from the last couple of years that indicated where bilingual candidates had come from internationally, according to Steven Jackson, director of the Recruitment Department. 

“Each year, we analyze data to identify new markets that we haven’t tapped into, and we notice that there were high quality teachers that came from both Panama and Colombia. Based off our analysis, we decided for the 2023-2024 recruitment season that we would start focusing our international recruitment efforts in these countries,” said Jackson. 

Jackson says that in these international recruitment efforts, they look for veteran teachers with a minimum of two years teaching experience.  

“They know the pedagogy that’s needed to be successful in our classroom. We bring veteran teachers that have the knowledge and experience in their home country, not just novice teachers,” he explained.

“We were able to talk about the H-1B and J-1 visa programs and had a lot of high-quality candidates come to our information sessions. We were able to interview over 50 candidates for bilingual and special education positions in Panama City,” said Jackson.  

 As part of the process, the candidates must meet a few minimum requirements through the Texas Education Agency, Castañeda said. 

“We are bringing top talent to our classrooms and ensuring that the teachers can relate to the culture of our students as well,” she said. “Because they speak Spanish, they are able to communicate with our students as well as their parents, and this is very important to us.” 

Fontalvo echoes the sentiment: “Something that’s very interesting about Panama is we have a lot of Afro Latinos that speak Spanish. From an equity perspective, a lot of our students will be able to see someone in front of them that looks like them, which is very empowering for our students and families.”

As far as next steps, preparations are being made for the teachers to begin working for the district in the 2023-2024 school year. According to Castañeda, the district is currently interviewing, screening and vetting candidates, who will work primarily in the areas of bilingual elementary and special education.

“I’m very excited about these opportunities that continue to build Dallas ISD as an international brand,” Fontalvo said. “We’re very excited to go in this direction, as we’re tapping into teacher pipelines that weren’t available in the past.”

Supporting each other and paving the way for student success are integral parts of Dallas ISD’s culture and the work educators do every day. For two librarians, this work also has been a journey of discovering new careers and rediscovering their friendship. 

Louise Wolff Kahn Elementary School’s Brenda Vargas and Henry B. Gonzalez Personalized Learning Academy’s Yolanda Rosa first met in January 2012 when Vargas took a long-term substitute position at Kahn. Vargas said Rosa “took me under her wing right from the beginning” and became first her mentor in the classroom and then her good friend. 

“I started at Dallas ISD 24 years ago,” Rosa said. “I was the young one, and I was on a team with veteran teachers. They taught us how to work together. We all helped each other, and I learned something from each and every one of them. So with Ms. Vargas, she was young and she wanted to learn and she wanted to help her students, and I loved that about her. I learned from her, and she learned from me.” 

They taught together at Kahn for a few years before Rosa moved to Edwin J. Kiest Elementary School, but the connections she built at Kahn did not fade. Inspired by Kahn’s librarian at the time, Nancy Cheyne, Rosa decided to follow in her footsteps and has spent the past seven years as a library media specialist at Kiest and now at Gonzalez. 

While Vargas and Rosa lost touch during those years, Vargas soon embarked on her own journey to become a library media specialist, also inspired by the colleague she and Rosa still call “Mama Cheyne.” Vargas earned her master’s degree and continued to work at Kahn as a teacher for a few more years until Cheyne retired in 2021 after more than 50 years of service. Vargas stepped forward to fill the open position. 

Rosa and Vargas had no idea they had been on such similar journeys until this past fall. They had both joined the second cohort of Project READ to further their knowledge of library research, exploration, application and design, and they stumbled upon each other at a training. 

“I saw her from behind, just the back, and then she started talking,” Vargas said. “I instantly thought, ‘I know who that is.’ As soon as we got a break, I went up to her, and it was like we were never apart.” 

They have been talking ever since, sharing their experiences and what Vargas called the “joys that come with being a librarian.” Being a media specialist is something that Vargas loves, but she said it can be difficult to be the only one in the role on her campus. 

That is why these ongoing friendships and connections throughout the district mean so much to both Vargas and Rosa. As Dallas ISD library media specialists, they said they love coming together and supporting each other through the ups and the downs. 

In Rosa’s words, “We are all learning together. We can only get better.” 

While the district may be closed for spring break March 13-17, staff can still get assistance with benefits. The benefits call center will be open regular hours during that week to provide assistance.

For those 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 questions regarding your HSA/ FSA, you can contact Optum at 877-528-9876 or visit www.optum.com.  Optum is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

You may reach the benefits call center at 972-925-4000 or email benefits@dallasisd.org. 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.

Are you a current Dallas ISD teacher, counselor or media specialist looking for a new opportunity? If so, the open transfer period may be for you. 

The open transfer period allows eligible team members to accept a position at another campus for the following school year. During the open transfer period, current principal approval is not required, although best practice would be for the team member to inform their current principal of their desire to transfer. 

The open transfer window for high priority campuses opened on March 6 and will begin for other campuses on March 22. The principal deadline to submit recommendations for the open transfer period is 11:59 p.m. on April 26.

To be eligible for an open transfer, team members must meet the following criteria: 

• Hold a valid Texas Teacher Certificate or hold a valid District of Innovation Certification Waiver in the requested subject-area vacancy and meet TEA/SBEC Certification Standards for the position 
• Must not be entering their fourth year of an Alternative Certification Program 
• Must not be identified for non-renewal at the end of the current school year due to performance and/or misconduct

Eligible team members must apply online using their EAD login at www.dallasisd.org/careers using the internal openings link. The Human Capital Management team will email notifications of approval/denial throughout the open transfer period. These notifications will be sent to the team member and the current and receiving principal. 

Transfers are only final once an approval email notification has been sent from Human Capital Management. All notifications will be completed by May 5, 2023. 

After the open transfer windows close, all transfers will need to follow the administrative transfer guidelines. If you have any questions or concerns, contact Priscilla Soltren at 972-925-4227 or via email at psoltren@dallasisd.org.  

Dallas ISD’s Information Security Department has begun a software security deployment. The purpose is to update staff issued Mac computers with the Digital Guardian security software. 

Your Mac will reboot two times to finalize the installation. Additionally, there will be a pop-up notification asking for your credentials to allow DgSessionSvc to make changes to your Certificate Trust Settings. Please enter your login credentials at this screen when prompted. 

Here’s an example of the notification: 

[[[Please use the password you use to log into the Mac]]]

WARNING:If you click cancel, you will lose internet connectivity on your Mac!

 The Information Security Department thanks team members for their continued commitment to the safety and security of Dallas ISD’s network and information systems. Please feel free to reach out with any questions you may have regarding this update to the IT Help Desk at 972-925-5630.

When Cecilia Oakeley, deputy chief of Evaluation and Assessment, received her doctorate in educational research in the 1980s, there were few women practicing in the field and even fewer who were also ethnic minorities. When she was promoted to head the department in 2005 not many women were in charge, especially in districts as large as Dallas ISD.

“When I was getting my Ph.D., there were very few women, so I felt like I was breaking ground, and even more so when I started getting leadership roles,” Oakeley said. “I am glad to see that we now make more of an emphasis on girls getting into math and science, and that there are many more women in the field of educational research now. It’s gratifying to have seen the future being forged when I first started.”

Women’s History Month is celebrated annually in March to recognize and celebrate the countless roles women play in history and society, including those of trailblazers like Oakleley. 

Since she joined Dallas ISD 40 years ago, Oakeley has witnessed history being made and many of the district’s accomplishments under 15 superintendents. 

Oakeley’s team manages local and state assessments for the district, evaluates district programs, tracks campus data, tracks student growth measures in several areas, manages changes in accountability, reports data to agencies, ensures compliance, provides key information for school board presentations and much more. She and her team led the design of the district’s Teacher Excellence Initiative, the first of its kind in Texas when it was first approved by the Board of Trustees. Since then, the district has adopted performance evaluations based on that model for principals, assistant principals and some district departments. 

Some of her more personal standout memories in Dallas ISD include meeting her husband, a retired analyst from the district’s Information Technology department, and seeing her two children graduate from Dallas ISD’s School for the Talented and Gifted at Yvonne A. Ewell Townview Center. 

In addition to her work in the district, Oakeley has been a leader by serving as a policy council member for the National Center for Analysis of Longitudinal Data in Education Research (CALDER) and as a council advisory member for the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), also known as the Nation’s Report Card.

What accomplishments are you proudest of? 

“One accomplishment during my time was incorporating our own value-added model into the achievement component of the Principal and Teacher Excellence Initiatives (PEI/TEI). Both were highly regarded accomplishments that ultimately affect our students.

“Another proud moment was the evolution of my team forecasting online testing—before the pandemic struck. Because of this initiative, we were able to transition smoothly during the pandemic by anticipating the constant challenges. My team has expertise that allows flexibility and growth.”

What advice or words of encouragement would you give your younger self or someone following in your footsteps? 

“Be curious, keep learning and be passionate in your area of expertise because the educational system is constantly evolving. Understanding leadership methods will be an advantage as every day brings new opportunities and challenges, and leadership qualities allow for smoother transitions. Be flexible as leadership and district policies change and learn to pivot and embrace each day with excitement. Finally, make sure you are taking care of your physical and mental health so you can continue doing this for 40 years.”

What helps you persevere during hard moments? 

“Being connected with my team and colleagues by working toward a common goal enables me to persevere during challenging times.”

What drew you to the field of education?  

“I love my job! I enjoy the work I do, my colleagues, constantly learning and ensuring Dallas ISD achieves high goals.”

What is a favorite memory at Dallas ISD?

“Being part of the court-ordered desegregation where I participated in providing district reports to the court and finally going to court to show that the district was no longer segregated. I was in the courtroom of Judge Barefoot Sanders! Just being part of that whole court case was very exciting and impactful, and it really helped the district to no longer be under a court order.”

In your 40 years in the district, what change has impacted you the most?

“Women in leadership positions were once limited when I began working with Dallas ISD. I am proud of all the district women and diverse leaders who reflect the communities we serve.”

Dallas ISD offers free translation services of documents to all schools and departments through the Translation Services Department.

“This service is offered districtwide and can improve communication with families, students and community members, by providing translation in the language our stakeholders feel more comfortable in,” said Alejandra Rios, supervisor for Translation Services.  

Among the services that are offered are the translation of documents, such as flyers, manuals, handbooks, curriculum, notes, letters, memos, PowerPoint presentations, etc. 

“The schools are always striving for more parent participation,” Rios said. “In order for parents to participate in their children’s education, they have to understand the language. By providing translation of written documents, we are closing the gap by providing a service in their own language.”  

Translation Services serves all schools and district facilities.

Services are provided on a first come, first served basis. Document translation is offered in Spanish, Arabic, Burmese, Chin, Kirundi, Swahili, and French. 

To request translation of documents, fill out the request form by clicking here.  

First year teacher Gabriela Palacios said teaching has always been a “lifelong dream and passion,” but she was not able to pursue it until she joined Dallas ISD’s Alternative Certification Program in February 2022. By August, she was teaching 10th-grade English at Rosie M. Collins Sorrells School of Education and Social Services at Yvonne A. Ewell Townview Center as an ACP intern. 

“It’s everything I could have hoped for being here in the classroom,” Palacios said. “It’s definitely been a great learning experience, and my students are just wonderful. They keep me laughing.” 

That is not to say the journey has been easy. Palacios described the pacing of the program as “sprinting a marathon,” as she cared for her four children while meeting requirements including 30 hours of observation, 150 hours of professional development and passing content and pedagogy exams before being able to apply for a campus position. 

Yet Palacios said she could not be happier with where she ended up and the support she has received from the Dallas ISD ACP team. Not only is tuition free for certifications in critical need areas, but the program’s coordinators are eager to help guide participants through the requirements and each new teacher is assigned a field facilitator, who observes them and provides resources and feedback once they are in the classroom to help them toward their ultimate goal of gaining certification. 

“I would definitely recommend the Dallas ISD AC Program to anybody who wants to become a teacher and who wants to make a difference in schools,” Palacios said. “In the end, any goal that is worth achieving is going to require effort and skill, so you really have to be dedicated to putting in that time.”

She learned so much during her time in the program and put those lessons into practice so well that she received an opportunity to present strategies on how to bring writing into the classroom at a webinar through edWeb, an online platform for educators, in November. 

“It’s funny because in the summer we had to go to 150 hours of professional development, and I must have done 50 hours alone from edWebs,” Palacios said. “So I had been watching edWebs quite a lot, and then all of a sudden I was one of the people presenting, which was a pretty surreal experience, especially as a first year teacher.”

From empowering her students to become better writers to seeing them have early breakthroughs, Palacios said she is “grateful” for her time in the ACP.

“Dallas ISD is incentivizing teachers to come by offering this program to teachers for free,” she said. “Rather than taking that for granted, I think it’s important to appreciate that this is a huge opportunity. If you have wanted to get into education, but for whatever reason haven’t done it, now would be a good time to join. Be ready for it because it’s a whirlwind experience, but it’s absolutely worth it.”

Learn more about the Alternative Certification Program by visiting https://www.dallasisd.org/altcert and encourage anyone you know who might be interested in making a difference in students’ lives to apply today.

Health and well-being can be complicated and sometimes difficult to maintain, especially when it comes to mental health concerns and personal crises. If you are struggling or know someone who is, remember that you are not alone. Help is available in the district and in the community. 

District resources

Dallas ISD team members can take advantage of the Employee Assistance Program by LifeWorks. This confidential, secure platform has free specialist counselors on call 24/7, as well as personalized wellbeing tips, podcasts, videos, exercises, assessments and more. 

Contact LifeWorks by calling 972-925-4000 or visiting www.dallasisd.org/benefits and clicking on Benefits Resources to access online EAP information. LifeWorks also has an app that offers specialized self-help resources developed by experts. Once downloaded, the app can be accessed through the EAD login credentials. 

For any team members who are looking to support students in need, take advantage of the many available resources, from the Alcohol and Drug Intervention Program to school-based clinicians and psychiatrists.

• Alcohol and Drug Intervention Program: The program increases awareness, expands prevention, facilitates intervention and promotes recovery for substance use/abuse in teens and youths in Dallas ISD. Visit their website to find teacher resources, counselor resources, parent resources, treatment locators and more.
• Youth and Family Centers: These address the mental, behavioral and physical health issues that a student may experience to improve learning. Their teams of licensed clinicians and psychiatrists offer a range of services to promote wellness, including evaluation and assessment, individual and family counseling, psychiatric consultation, medication management and more.
• Physical Health Services: Through a partnership with the Parkland Health Hospital System, the district is able to offer physical health care services to students, including immunizations, sick and preventive care, health education and more.
• Support Services for LGBTQ Youth: Students who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning and other identities often experience harassment, indifference, bullying and exclusion. The Support Services team is dedicated to providing students and teachers with resources to ensure that all students have a safe school experience.

Contact Dallas ISD’s Counseling Services at 972-925-8989 or counselingservices@dallasisd.org, or Dallas ISD’s Mental Health Services at 972-502-4190, to learn more. Visit https://www.dallasisd.org/Page/63382 to reach out to a specific school’s counselor. 

Community resources

Anyone who is experiencing a crisis can get immediate support by contacting the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in English or Spanish at 988. Additionally, people can access the National Alliance on Mental Illness HelpLine from Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., by calling 1-800-950-6264, texting “HelpLine” to 62640 or emailing helpline@nami.org.

The North Texas Behavioral Health Authority helps individuals in need of immediate mental health support and is available 24/7. Learn more about the resources the organization provides at https://ntbha.org/ or get help at 1-800-260-8000. 

Find more crisis hotlines and resources below: 

• National Human Trafficking Hotline: 888-373-7888
• Veterans Crisis Line: 988, press 1
• Crisis Text Line: Text 741741, free 24/7
• Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline: 800-422-4453
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration National Helpline: 800-662-4357
• National Sexual Assault Hotline: 800-656-4673
• National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-7233
• Trans Lifeline: 877-565-8860

Thousands of team members have called Dallas ISD home for years, even decades, and the district will recognize their commitment to the Dallas ISD community with a new Service Recognition Award program.

Human Capital Management is leading the effort to honor over 13,800 employees who have worked for the district for at least five years with a service pin this spring. In addition, a special award will be presented to those who have dedicated at least 35 years to the district at the Lifetime Achievement Reception on May 9, 2023.

Eligible team members will receive a service pin at anniversary milestones in five-year increments, and 2023 honorees will receive the service pin corresponding to their most recent five-year milestone. For example, team members who have worked in Dallas ISD for 19 years will receive a 15-year pin this spring. A table with milestones corresponding to the awards is available on the program’s website. 

Team members may verify their years of district service using instructions provided on the Service Recognition Awards website through March 31 at https://www.DallasISD.org/ServiceAwards.

Campuses and central administration departments will receive a package with a roster of eligible employees, a toolkit with instructions, and service pins by early April. Award distribution should occur before the end of the 2022-2023 school year. Campuses and departments are encouraged to distribute the pins at a time when their teams can gather to celebrate.

Team members are encouraged to share their celebrations online using the hashtags #DallasISDcelebrates and #DallasISDservice across all social media and tag the district.

For more information, contact the Onboarding & Retention team at Recognition@DallasISD.org or 972-925-4080.