Central Staff News

The Kemper Foundation is accepting applications for the 2025 Read Conmigo School Impact Grant through March 9.   

The Kemper Foundation awards up to 22 Read Conmigo School Impact grants of $10,000 each with the goal of supporting school and program wide dual-language initiatives. Applications must be submitted by the principal on behalf of their school. 

Grant funds are awarded for the benefit of the students, and funds should remain within the school, regardless of changes in principal leadership. 

Eligibility requirements:  

• Must be a Title 1 elementary school serving bilingual students. 

• Must have an established dual-language program with at least one year of implementation. 

Funds may be used for school resources and technology improvements, instructional support and professional development, and community and cultural engagement. 

Examples include: 

• Developing or acquiring dual-language curriculum and instructional materials 

• Expanding existing dual-language programs

• Providing bilingual educator training, workshops, and conference attendance 

• Hosting schoolwide bilingual events, such as assemblies, literacy fairs, and cultural celebrations 

• Supporting family engagement initiatives in dual-language education 

• Funding dual-language arts, dance, music, and theater programs 

For a detailed list of non-eligible uses of the grant funds and grant requirements for principals who are awarded funds and to apply for the grants, visit the grants page. 

The open transfer period for the new District Support Initiative campuses has opened, and teachers, counselors, and media specialists/literacy media specialists who meet the guidelines and are interested in working at those schools can seek and accept a position at those schools.

Eligible employees must apply online using their EAD login at www.dallasisd.org/careers using the internal openings link. Employees must apply to be eligible to participate. The current principal’s approval is not required during the open transfer period; however, the best practice is to inform the current principal of the desire to transfer.

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

• Hold a valid Texas Teacher Certificate or hold a valid District of Innovation Certification Exemption 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

To see the list of campuses in the Pathway to Excellence, Strategic Support Schools, and Strategically Staffed High Schools programs and learn more about the supports and stipends provided, visit www.dallasisd.org/dsi. 

The deadline for principals to submit a recommendation for the open transfer period for PTE/SSS/SSHS campuses is June 1, 2025.

The open transfer period for all other campuses begins March 24, 2025, and ends at 11:59 p.m. on April 25, 2025. 

Human Capital Management will accept principal recommendations via TMS for schools, including those in the Pathway to Excellence, Strategic Support Schools, and Strategically Staffed High Schools programs. 

Human Capital Management will email notifications of approval/denial throughout the open transfer period. These notifications will be sent to the employee and the current and receiving principals. Transfers are only final once the Letter of Assignment email notification has been sent from Human Capital Management. All notifications will be completed by May 2 and June 9 for PTE/SSS/SSHS campuses. After the open transfer window closes, all transfers must follow the administrative transfer guidelines.

An accidental fire this summer damaged the kitchen Skyline High School uses to teach life skills to students who receive special education services, and while repair work was being completed, Assistant Principal Sonja Nix had to get creative to find a way to help her teachers impart those skills without a kitchen.

She found the answer in virtual reality.

With the use of computer programs that Nix and the SPED teachers have repurposed and goggles that have been obtained from other programs that were no longer using them students in Vashti Mbah’s class are following recipes, cutting and measuring ingredients, mixing them and cooking, just like they would in a real kitchen.

“We partner with the culinary arts pathway to use their kitchen, but if the students have a catering event coming up, we can’t use it,” she said. “But we have to keep teaching these skills. This is a great way to do it. The students have really taken to it.”

Cooking is not the only life skill where virtual reality is used to teach. Students in Caroline Gichangi’s functional life skills class get to drive using computers and programs that have been repurposed from other areas in the high school thanks to Nix’s efforts. And while they are not likely to be driving a car in reality, the programs are reinforcing other lessons and teaching them social skills.

“Kids are so used to interacting with phones and technology that this makes it so much easier,” Gichangi said. “Even those who don’t have reading skills can interact and advance to have a functional life. As they interact with each other.”

The students in her class show their obvious enjoyment while using the computer programs, which has helped them be more open and acquire greater communication skills, she said.

Nix, who is the assistant principal over special education and discipline, was working on her doctoral program going through an educational technology course when she had the idea that technology—specifically augmented virtual reality—could be helpful in special education classes. Skyline, Dallas ISD’s largest high school, has more than 300 students receiving special education services and about 80 of them are in functional skills classrooms. As far as Nix knows, Skyline is the first program to use virtual reality with SPED students in this way.

Unfortunately, this technology is not normally part of life skills classes so there was no budget for it . Because it was needed at the moment, Nix begged and borrowed from other programs that were not using the computers, goggles, programs, etc., and got the students to try them out.

“The kids found a bunch of apps we didn’t know we had but we need to update the modules,” Nix said. “We have been incorporating the technology into the lesson plans. It has been a great success. They are acquiring 21st century skills.”

Nix hopes that the success shown this year can lead to more support for technology upgrades—both equipment and software—so more students in functional skills classes can benefit from them. She also hopes that other high school life skills classes will see how virtual reality can help students and adopt it, as well. 

“I would like to visit other campuses and talk to them about how this has made a difference for our students, and how they can replicate it,” Nix said. “We are taking the district’s mission to educate all students for success seriously.”  

Crystal Alexander, a manager in the Mathematics Department, has always been inspired by women who have broken barriers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, and since becoming a math teacher with Dallas ISD, she has been inspiring the next generation of trailblazers. 

One of the ways she has done this is through the annual Dallas ISD STEM Expo—the largest in Texas. After 11 years of managing the event, Alexander believes it is one of her greatest projects, exposing over 5,000 students each year to exploration and design within technology.

She believes these events are crucial to inspiring the next generation of innovators.

“In today’s world, success isn’t just about intelligence or skill, it’s about knowing where to find opportunities and having the confidence to pursue them,” Alexander said.

A Dallas native and graduate of the Business and Management Center, the name of the business magnet at the time, Alexander said her passion for the Dallas community stems from her family and her mother.

“My interest in STEM was sparked by my childhood curiosity—breaking things and trying to fix them before my mom got home. I had an early instinct to repair, troubleshoot and put things back together,” Alexander said. She approaches her career with a problem-solving mindset.

Her mother instilled in her a love of learning and a desire to put God first, which Alexander has carried from early education through her 24 years with Dallas ISD.

Alexander began her career as a math teacher at E.B. Comstock Middle School, returning to her roots in Pleasant Grove. After five years, she became a teacher at Emmett J. Conrad High School where she worked within the STEM Academy, which partnered with Texas A&M University to develop project-based learning STEM curriculum. Four years later, Alexander transitioned to a districtwide role, serving as an instructional math coach and STEM manager before eventually taking on her current position.

In 2023, Alexander briefly took on the role of interim director of the Math Department, using knowledge from her Master of Science in School Counseling from Lamar University to lead and motivate the team supporting the district’s more than 130,000 students. 

Alexander holds a bachelor’s degree in math and biology from Jarvis Christian University, a historically Black university. She uses her background to develop and organize large scale events beyond the expo, including the LBJ Express and Tackle Tomorrow STEM Camps.

“What excites me most is seeing students engage with math and STEM in ways that change their perspective on what’s possible—whether it’s a student discovering a love for coding, a teacher gaining confidence in delivering math lessons, or a family realizing new opportunities for their child’s future,” she said.

Alexander has partnered with global and local companies, creating community STEM events with Microsoft, the Dallas Millennial Club, American Airlines, the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden, Klyde Warren Park and numerous other organizations.

“I appreciate that the district has provided space for innovation and collaboration, allowing me to develop initiatives that truly make a difference,” Alexander said.

 In addition to her work in the district, Alexander is on the advisory board of the Kids on the Move for Success in Atlanta, Ga.,  guiding the organization’s STEM programming. 

She also serves on the Board of Directors, the Education and Research Committee and the Black Heritage Committee at the Dallas Arboretum. She said these experiences have allowed her to contribute to cultural celebration and educational development.

In her own career, Alexander hopes to continue advocating for equity, ensuring young girls see themselves in STEM careers. However, her greatest motivation is her mother, whom she remembers as a mentor and support system.

“I carry my mother’s influence with me every day, especially in my role as a math and STEM educator. She instilled in me a deep sense of vigilance in helping others,” Alexander said.

Beyond education, Alexander is a dedicated advocate for the Alzheimer’s cause, a passion she developed after her mother’s diagnosis in 2015 and passing in 2018.

“I’m very active in promoting the cause, sharing information and participating in research. So many people my age are dealing with their parents who are transitioning into that stage,” Alexander said.

After losing her mother, Alexander has expanded her purpose to advocacy, researching ways to help others prepare for life changes.  She prioritizes wellness, recognizing that our bodies change over time and require intentional care.

In her work in STEM, Alexander is inspired not only by her mother but also by the women who have broken barriers in mathematics and STEM, despite it being a male dominated field.

 “Women like Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughn and Mary Jackson are important because their work at NASA helped change history,” Alexander said. “Dr. Evelyn Boyd inspires me because she is one of the first Black women to earn a PhD in mathematics.”

“For me, women’s history is about recognizing the challenges women face in leadership positions within education,” Alexander said.

Dallas ISD’s Food and Child Nutrition Services is preparing to celebrate National School Breakfast Week March 3-7. This year’s theme, “Clue In to School Breakfast,” encourages students to start their day with a healthy breakfast.  

“We want every student to walk into the classroom feeling nourished, energized, and ready to succeed,” said Debi Rowley, executive director of FCNS. “School breakfast isn’t just about feeding kids—it’s about giving them the fuel they need to think, learn, and grow.” 

Throughout the week, cafeterias will feature special menu items, including a mini parfait on March 4 and brunch for lunch on March 6. Schools will also receive posters, promotional items, and themed attire activities opportunities to engage students and staff.  

Food and Child Nutrition Services invites elementary and middle school students to submit their artwork displaying the importance of a healthy breakfast. For more details and submission guidelines, please visit NSBW Contest Entry Forms 

Winning entries will receive prizes and will be featured in the FCNS newsletter and will be displayed in school cafeterias and at the Maria Luna Food Services building.

The Educational Technology Department invites team members to its upcoming Lunch and Learn sessions. This is a new initiative designed to help district staff get acquainted with the department and its valuable resources.

What to Expect:

• EdTech Website Tour: Get a comprehensive overview of the Educational Technology Department’s website and the wealth of resources it offers.
• EdTech Information Guide: Learn about the organizations that make up EdTech, what they do and the services they provide.
• Explore Additional Resources: Find out more about other valuable EdTech department pages.
• Navigating the Portal: Discover how to customize the Dallas ISD portal to efficiently access your most used applications.
• How to get help: Understand the process for requesting support from EdTech.

To view upcoming sessions, visit the EdTech Lunch and Learns webpage. Scroll down to see sessions in upcoming months.

If you are a team member who is thinking about retiring this year, keep in mind that Dallas ISD compensates retiring employees for unused local days through the Retirement Service Award program. 

Per district policy DEC (REGULATION), the Retirement Service Award incentivizes those employees planning to retire and provides the following benefits to the district: 

• The district has advance notice of retiring employees to better plan for upcoming vacancies
• Teachers who do not use their local days are in the classroom educating students rather than absent;
• Teachers being in the classroom, means a decrease in the demand for substitutes on campuses, which is a budget savings.

Employees who notify Human Capital Management of their plans to retire in Oracle Self-Service by May 1, 2025, will receive a flat daily pay rate for unused local days accrued by June 15, 2025. The RSA is paid on the July 15 paycheck. 

Information to participate in the RSA Program will be communicated through multiple channels, including email, WAIP, The Beat, and the Dallas ISD Benefits website. 

Dallas ISD inaugurated its second resource center this week to serve the students in West Dallas and their families. 

Dallas ISD Superintendent Stephanie Elizalde and Board of Trustees President Joe Carreón both praised the Resource Center West as a place that will make a difference in the community because of the resources it will provide—from a safe space for students to participate in after-school programs to a grocery-style pantry managed by Brother Bill’s Helping Hand. 

The Resource Center West, located at 2200 Dennison St., will serve parents and students from Dallas ISD schools with a focus on the Dr. L.G. Pinkston Sr. High School community and surrounding areas. Students in grades prekindergarten through 12 and their parents/guardians will have access to a variety of services. 

The West Dallas location joins the Resource Center South, which opened last year to serve the Lincoln and Madison communities. The centers are part of the projects approved by voters in the 2020 Bond. 

The center will prioritize four areas of services that were determined with the help and participation from the community:

• Access to primary healthcare
• Access to daily household needs
• Recreation spaces and programs
• Family counseling and resources

The Resource Center West serves as a centralized hub to access multiple services. It is designed to act as a one-stop location where parents and students can engage in learning, personal development, and community-building activities.

It will offer community-driven programs that provide free resources and services; a dedicated space for parents to access education, and enrichment activities; a hub for collaboration between local schools, parents, and community organizations; and the pantry for families to obtain free food.

In addition to the ribbon cutting, the center will hold a grand opening for district families from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 1.

When Guillermo Michel began his career as a science teacher, little did he know he would be instrumental in establishing Dallas ISD’s career institutes, which allow students to explore a variety of careers and obtain industry certifications. 

Recognizing the need for specialized training, the district launched the career institutes in 2019. Michel, industry partner and program coordinator at Career Institute North, has played a pivotal role in developing the 18 career programs offered across the district. February—Career and Technical Education month—highlights the training and career programs that create internships, industry certifications and credentials for students beyond what their home campuses may offer. 

“Not all high schools have comprehensive programs,” Michel said. “The original idea was to create four institutes—one in the north, south, east and west, serving 25 high schools.” 

It was his work in the STEM Department, which he joined seven years after working as a teacher, that led to the career institutes. Michel used skills from his undergraduate background in media and communications to create professional development learning materials in math and science.  

His online training materials were so effective that he was recruited to help launch the career institutes.  

Deputy Chief Oswaldo Alvarenga, who previously directed the district’s STEM and CTE departments, saw the value in Michel’s impact and wanted to use his skills beyond just math and science.  

Michel was brought on to create promotional materials for counselors, principals, and high school students to inform them about the new development. 

From the beginning, the goal of the career institutes has been to prepare students for the workforce by providing industry ready training in high demanding fields such as health sciences, technology, construction and other key professions. 

“It has been great to see all of the progress. We started with four teachers in a small office, sending out four teachers to instruct principles of construction and principles of architecture,” Michel said.  

Within the past six years the career institutes have evolved into expansive campuses with industry standard technology, devices and tools for students.   

“The great thing about CTE is that there is always something new,” Michel said. “There is always a new technological update to add. We keep up with whatever is developing across the world.” 

Students enter the program during their freshman year. They begin with introductory courses that eventually lead to interactive labs in their career focus. 

“There are many booming industries, but not a lot of technicians who can do the skilled work,” Michel said. “So that is one of the main goals of the institute, to give the industries qualified manpower to do those jobs.”  

A unique but simple aspect of the career institutes is the institute’s focus on developing the student’s soft skills.  

“When we spoke with companies and asked them what they needed from our students, they said we just need them to show up on time and pay attention, but if they have industry based certifications already right out of high school, that is amazing!” he said. 

The companies recognize that students will have the necessary certifications and skills to succeed and are looking for something more—expectational communication skills. In response, CI North focuses on expanding student’s resumes and developing their social skills. 

What Michel finds most impactful is how students not only develop essential career skills but also form meaningful friendships across the four institutes, fostering both professional and social development.  

From aviation to game design, to health sciences and construction, Michel has helped create an intricate learning system—where students are building HVAC systems, designing games and using simulators to fly and land private planes.  

“Some students come in feeling really shy, unsure of themselves and hesitant to speak up,” Michel said. “But as the years go by, something incredible happens. By junior or senior year, they’ve transformed—standing taller, speaking with confidence, and believing in their potential. The quiet kid who once avoided eye contact is now leading projects and mentoring others. It’s a reminder of why we do what we do. Earning industry certifications gives them more than just credentials—it gives them hope. Hope for a better future, for real opportunities, and for the chance to become leaders. Each certification is proof of their hard work and resilience, opening doors to careers and a future they once only dreamed of.”

It’s time again to apply for the William H. Cotton Scholarship, worth $20,000 and open to all Dallas ISD educators who want to pursue post-graduate degrees.

The scholarship was established by Credit Union of Texas to honor the legacy of Cotton’s 46 years of dedication and service to Dallas ISD and the Credit Union of Texas. It is awarded to one district educator or administrator seeking to pursue continuing post-baccalaureate education, including certifications, to further their career in the field of education for the benefit of the Dallas ISD community and its students. Cotton was a long-time principal and administrator who was also the first African-American president of the Dallas School Administrators Association. He retired in 2000 as an associate superintendent.

The completed scholarship application should be returned no later than March 31, 2025.

Who is eligible?

• Must be a CUTX member with a checking account or a loan product prior to submitting an application.
• All accounts at CUTX must be in good standing.
• Must be a Dallas ISD employee in a professional assignment.
• Must continue to be employed by Dallas ISD in a professional assignment throughout the course of the scholarship.
• Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident.
• CUTX employees and their immediate family members, as well as board members and their immediate family members, are not eligible for this scholarship.

Please note that all eligibility requirements must be met throughout the term of the scholarship.

How the scholarship works

• Scholarship funds will be paid directly to the educational institution.
• Continued disbursement of scholarship funds requires a grade of a C or better in all graded courses and passing in a pass/fail course.
• Scholarship funds may be disbursed in varied increments each semester as needed. The total value of the scholarship is not to exceed $20,000.
• Prior to the beginning of each semester and disbursement of scholarship funds, scholarship recipients must complete the CUTX Scholarship Questionnaire.
• Scholarship funds will be available for a maximum of seven years.

Download this flyer for more information about the scholarship. Visit https://www.cutx.org/community/cutx-cotton-scholarship to apply before March 31