The Dallas ISD Operation Services Division gave principals an overview of what they do and how they can assist on campuses.
Sunset High School teacher Laura Page was selected as one of 53 participants for the 2017 National Gallery of Art Teacher Institute on Art of the Renaissance held in Washington, D.C., in July.
The six-day seminar brought together teachers of art, English, history, math, and related subjects from 22 different states. The program emphasized the social and cultural context of Renaissance art in Italy and Northern European countries between the 14th and 16th centuries.
Participants learned about the development of oil-painting techniques, the role of prints in disseminating new ideas, using works of art as primary resources in classroom instruction, incorporating art into interdisciplinary teaching, and strengthening students’ visual literacy.
Through lectures, gallery talks, and hands-on activities, participants analyzed Renaissance artworks and focused on interdisciplinary teaching strategies. Activities were designed to meet teachers’ personal and professional enrichment needs. A demonstration of Venetian painting techniques and a site visit to a printmaker’s studio at Georgetown University rounded out the Institute’s course of study.
Generous support for the Teacher Institute was provided by the Park Foundation, the William Randolph Hearst Foundation, the Sara Shallenberger Brown Fund, the PaineWebber Endowment, and the Annetta J. and Robert M. Coffelt Sr. and Robert M. Coffelt Jr. Endowed Fellowship.
Page was awarded a National Gallery of Art Fellowship.
Dallas ISD this week is hosting its annual weeklong AVID workshops that have been coined as “Brown Bag Trainings.”
AVID, which stands for Advancement via Individual Determination, is a global organization dedicated to closing the achievement gap by preparing all students for college and postsecondary opportunities.
The AVID Center trains educators to use proven practices in order to prepare students for success in high school, college, and a career, especially students traditionally underrepresented in higher education.
This week’s trainings serve as refreshers geared specifically towards AVID campus staff members for the upcoming school year.
“My teammate, Tamika Stevenson, and I strongly believe in perpetuating the AVID way by preparing our very own teachers with the skills to better service the district’s underrepresented students,” said Ebony Palmer, AVID district coordinator. “We hope this week’s trainings will motivate our teachers to take their instruction to the next level.”
A principal and their child were driving home when the child got angry that they didn’t stop for fast food.
After a decent amount of crying and fussing, the child went silent. When the parent turned around to see what was going on, they saw their child hugging themselves and becoming calm. The parent asked what was happening, and the child replied they were doing “The Turtle,” a Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) technique for handling anger.
“And after that day, I can tell you that principal was sold on Social and Emotional Learning,” said Tim Shriver, the Chairman of the Special Olympics and co-founder of the Collaborative for Academic, Social and Emotional Learning (CASEL), to an auditorium full of Dallas ISD principals.
Shriver talked with the Dallas ISD principals about the importance and usefulness of SEL. The entertaining and informative discussion wrapped up a week of professional development for the Dallas ISD principals.
SEL is a big priority for Dallas ISD: go here to learn more.
KERA did a great profile on Seagoville High School Coach Mark Harrington, who leads the school’s successful Academic Decathlon team.
The Decathlon team has gone to the state championship for three straight years. Go here to read the full story!
Dallas ISD teachers and staff can enjoy discounts of up to 30 percent at special after-hours shopping event at select JCPenney stores from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. Sunday, August 6.
District staff will be the guests of honor at a closed shopping event at JC Penney stores at Timber Creek Crossing, 6051 Skillman St., Dallas 75231, and Town East Mall, 6000 Town East Mall, Mesquite 75150. District identification will be required for admission. Go here to download the invitation.
Three Dallas ISD educators are among 17 in Texas nominated for the national 2017-2018 LifeChanger of the Year Award.
National Life Group has sponsored and coordinated the award since 2006. Multiple awards are distributed each year among nominees from the 50 states and the District of Columbia. One Grand Prize Winner will split a $10,000 prize with his or her school.
The district nominees are:
- Javier Chaparro, principal, Seagoville Middle School
- Katherine Evans, counselor, Bryan Adams High School
- Marisa Saldana, first-grade bilingual teacher, Gilbert Cuellar Elementary School
Learn more about this year’s Dallas ISD educators nominated for the award below. Find their full profiles and the list of all nominees here.
Chaparro was nominated by Deborah Johnson, a member of his community. He is committed to supporting students by mentoring them and showing compassion. “Mr Chaparro is a shining example of positive influence and leadership in our community, and we are so proud of him,” Johnson said.
Evans was nominated by Shannon Rodriguez, who has worked with her for the past three years. Rodriguez said that Evans helps students and their families in a variety of ways by knowing the challenges high schools students can face. “As her coworker, I know that I can always count on Katherine to do a great job or come through in a pinch,” said Rodriguez. “Overall, she is selfless and works tirelessly for the benefit of the students she serves.”
Saldana was nominated by a colleague who wishes to remain anonymous. She is an excellent teacher, but also understands each individual student in her classroom – and is heavily involved in each student’s education as if they were her own child. “I have not met any other teacher that has so much patience, perseverance and dedication for her profession,” the nominator said.
LifeChanger of the Year Award winners will be selected in Spring 2018.
Tatum Elementary teacher Carolyn Myers was driving to work when a car crashed into her, flipping her automobile on its side.
Myers was trapped, thought she smelled smoke, and, as she puts it, “was totally freaked out.”
After screaming for help, a man came to her rescue, climbing down into the car and steadily talking her through the situation—calming her down— until the ambulance arrived.
“I truly believe this man saved my life,” Myers said. “I can not thank him enough.”
The man turned out to be Sgt. Dewye Jiles, a veteran of the Gulf War and current JROTC instructor at W.W. Samuell High School. Jiles said his army background and medical training kicked into high gear when he saw the car wreck.
“Helping people and being a Good Samaritan is something I teach to my ROTC class,” Jiles said. “I was happy to be able to help Carolyn in her time of need. I could see in her eyes how terrified she was, so I’m glad I got to be there to help.”
A Dallas ISD teacher saw his suggestion to Gov. Greg Abbott become a reality over the weekend.
Eric Hale, a teacher at Burnet Elementary, served on an education panel with Abbott late last year that focused on ways to attract and retain effective educators. At the meeting, Hale suggested that the State of Texas start an annual tradition where it recognizes the best teachers from across the state for going above and beyond in their efforts to help students.
Fast forward to Saturday, April 29, and Hale attended a special reception at the Governor’s Mansion honoring more than 100 outstanding teachers from across the state. And at the reception, Abbott publicly credited Hale with coming up with the idea for the event honoring outstanding Texas teachers.
“I couldn’t believe it, here was the governor telling this story to everyone about how this was my idea,” Hale said. “He came over to me and handed me the microphone, and I got to say a few words. It was a huge honor to get to represent Dallas ISD at the event.”
Hale said the governor plans to hold the teacher reception on an annual basis.