Central Staff News

Six junior and senior Dallas ISD students had the opportunity to experience leadership in a new way thanks to Human Capital Management and the Call Me MISTER® program.

The students traveled with HCM team members to the Call Me Mister Leadership Conference that took place this July at Clemson University. During the trip, the students had the opportunity to engage in a range of leadership workshops, seminars, and networking sessions hosted by the program. Because Dallas ISD is the only school district to partner with the Call Me Mister program, district students were able to build strong bonds with college students and other like-minded individuals from different backgrounds.

Through Call Me Mister and a partnership with the University of North Texas at Dallas, students from Dallas ISD high schools will have the opportunity to receive mentorship and support to become teachers. Dallas ISD is the first public school in Texas to offer this program to high school students. 

The Call Me MISTER®— Mentors Instructing Students Toward Effective Role-models—program was developed 22 years ago at Clemson University to increase the pool of available teachers from a broader, more diverse background. Call Me MISTER® and Diverse Male Educators Destined to Teach, Hope, Respond, Inspire, Value and Empower (THRIVE) are UNTD’s programs to attract males from diverse backgrounds into the teaching profession.

Theresa Davis, manager of Health Services’ Teen Pregnancy and Parenting program, goes above and beyond to lead a team of nurses and social workers who help pregnant or parenting Dallas ISD students continue their education without interruption. 

They provide students with social and community health services, parenting skills and counseling, job readiness and career counseling, child care assistance, and more, and Davis said the results have been incredible to see.

One of her favorite success stories is that of a student who got to attend her dream university with help from Davis and her team. 

“Most of our students are either pregnant or parenting, so they’re doing double duty,” Davis said. “They’re trying to achieve their academics successfully while taking on a dual role, so it was a big deal for a student in our program to achieve valedictorian at her campus.” 

The valedictorian received a full-ride scholarship from The University of Texas at Austin, but Davis said the student had always envisioned herself at SMU. So Davis worked with the high school campus’ interdisciplinary team of counselors to help the student apply for several scholarships and make her childhood dream come true. The student went on to become a first-generation college graduate in her family.

Davis—a proud graduate of Skyline High School, Prairie View A&M University and The University of Texas at Arlington—has spent the past 29 years in the district, with a decade leading the Teen Pregnancy and Parenting program by example. She said she is “proud” of her team and the “daily positive impact” they make every day, and her efforts have not gone unnoticed. 

“Theresa is an exemplary leader,” said Jennifer Finley, executive director of Health Services. “She is professional, well-spoken, and motivates her team to support students to the best of their ability. During her many years of service, she has been met with challenging and serious situations. In every instance she has handled the situation with grace while putting others at ease.” 

For Davis, it all comes down to her passion for supporting students.

“Assistance matters,” Davis said. “We take a nonjudgmental stance and show students that we care in their day-to-day lives. If their personal and home life is not in order, it will affect their academic achievement, therefore we start with the home, and we help take care of any of those personal needs that help accelerate their academic success and well-being.”

To learn more about the Teen Pregnancy and Parenting program, visit https://www.dallasisd.org/Page/26548. 

Education Technology is the new name for the district’s technology department. Educational Technology is committed to providing efficient and effective technologies that enable innovation and enhance the student learning experience with a focus on simplicity, security, scalability, and excellent customer support. Their team members provide services to schools, departments, students and their families.

Transportation Service Centers are being redesigned. The redesign—including renovations of the facilities with additional restrooms, air conditioning, ventilation systems, outside lighting and other safety features—will redistribute buses to the Lawnview, North Dallas, and Kleberg service centers and the service center located at 2419 Cockrell Ave. The relocation of the centers will be done in phase and will start in December 2023. 

Dallas ISD team members were all over the map this summer, from travels to Puerto Rico, Belize, Nigeria, Bahamas, Jamaica, Mexico, and various countries in Europe, to New Zealand and all over the United States, they all made new memories. From family and friend reunions close to home and overseas, to cross-country travels—team members were living their best lives. Because there were a lot of great vacation stories, we are sharing them in two parts. 

Adventure seekers, anniversaries, and celebrations

Stephany Cortes Rogel, a teacher at Rosemont Upper: I attended the Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, and it was absolutely exciting. This was my first World Cup and my first time on this side of Earth. Every match I attended had its own story. Attending the best Women’s World Cup was a great experience, and I can’t wait to share it with my soccer girls team at Rosemont Elementary.

Felicia Shaw, an office manager at City Lab High School: I celebrated my 25th wedding anniversary in Jamaica. I enjoyed everything, especially parasailing for the first time. I felt like I was on top of the world! I even have a video taking-off and I recorded while in the air.

Paola Gomez Agudelo, a manager in the Alternative Certification Department: During our summer break, I traveled by myself to San Pedro Island, Belize. I’m a certified open water diver, so I had the opportunity to dive at the Hol Chan Reserve in Belize. This was a very special trip because it was my first trip by myself to a country I have never been to before. When I went to find out about scuba diving trips, they told me I could go and feed the nurse sharks at the Hol Chan Reserve. I thought they were going to be enclosed, but to my surprise, they were all around us. My first encounter ever with sharks was exciting.

Stefany Ramirez, a teacher at Larry Smith Elementary School: I celebrated my bachelorette party in Cancun, Mexico. I enjoyed spending time with my closest friends and frolicking on the beach. All-inclusive resorts are always a must and so is quality time with friends.

Reunions

Mark Olateju, a teacher at Benjamin Franklin International Exploratory Academy: I traveled to the United Kingdom for a week and reunited with cousins that I had not seen in several years. I was surprised by the number of Americans in London! It reminded me of another American city like New York!

Maria De La Luz Garcia Villalobos, a teacher at Hotchkiss Elementary School: I visited family and friends at my hometown, Tampico, México. I got to see my 84-year-old mom, family and soulmate friends who I’ve known since about 1979. My mom didn’t know about my visit, and I covered my identity. I changed my voice, my name, and wore sunglasses and a mask and pretended I was an old, forgotten friend. It was so funny because she didn’t recognize me. When I let her see my face, it was so emotional. We held each other, cried and laughed at the same time. My sister recorded the moment. It was unforgettable!  

Terri Scott, a nurse at Wilmer Hutchins Elementary School: I spent time with my grandsons and traveled throughout Texas for family get-togethers. My grandsons live in Idaho, they are 7- and 6-years-old. The oldest, Liam, is autistic and the apple of my eye. The youngest is Conner, and he would make my life so hard trying to pronounce dinosaurs’ names like therizinosaurus. Conner was constantly sneaking in to see what scary movie we were watching. On his last attempt, he shoved open the door and yelled, “Conner’s back baby ’cause you’re part of my peeps!” No idea where he got that from but we died laughing.

Leah Richard, a teacher at Justin F. Kimball High School: I spent  time with my 85-year-old mother in Corpus Christi. We had an amazing time, and the smile on her face spoke volumes. My favorite part was experiencing a boat ride with my mom and the joy and excitement we had. I learned you can overcome anything. I never dreamed of me getting on a boat. Now I’m planning a cruise to Cozumel next summer.

Family Vacations

Amanda Gomez, a data controller at George Peabody Elementary: My favorite thing about traveling was spending much needed time with my family. We went to Disney World, Disneyland, took a cruise to the Bahamas, traveled to New York and back to Orlando. The kids learned a lot about cultures and how privileged they really are.

Megan Johnson, a teacher at Skyline High School: I visited the Grand Canyon in Arizona and the Mayan ruins, swam in a cenote in a cave, and enjoyed the beach in Tulum, Mexico. I spent a week vacation with my family in Tulum and learned that the best vacations are spent with family and friends. There is nothing like family time!

Genevra Buchanan, a teacher at Whitney M. Young Jr. Elementary School: I spent the first week of my summer vacation on a four-day Caribbean Cruise with my 83-year-old mother. It was her first time ever on a cruise, first time ever leaving the United States, and first time leaving the south. Being able to give her that experience meant the world to me. She complained about the long lines to get on the ship, all the walking was a bit much for her but when she found her niche in the casino, all was good in her world. Let’s just say her first cruise paid off!

Thank you to everyone who filled out the call for submissions. We enjoyed hearing about your travels. Make sure you check out the second round of vacation memories next week. 

A couple of years ago, Emily Reynosa, an English-as-a-second-language teacher at Lee A. McShan Jr. Elementary School welcomed a new student into her classroom almost every week. 

With about 45 students in the classroom, ranging from first to fifth grade, Reynosa relied on the Core 4 tenet of Flexible to do her best to make it work. Striving for the yes, she made adjustments like making extra copies and rearranging the classroom to make her students—newcomers to the country—feel more comfortable.

This past school year, she had fewer students, ranging from third through fifth grade, and a teacher assistant to provide additional support to her classroom. 

Reynosa always knew she wanted to go into a field where she was helping others. She had considered nursing, but decided the blood and the needles weren’t for her—she chose teaching instead. She had been around educators all of her life because her mother had been a teacher and then a principal. 

“I wanted something where I could help people, and I ended up in the perfect spot, because newcomers are a vulnerable population, and they need a lot of support,” Reynosa said. 

This past school year, she had a student from Ukraine who, Reynosa said, did well on a daily basis but would sometimes get sad and would say she wanted to go home. 

Reynosa would then pause class, and she and the other students would do activities to make the student feel better, like drawing pictures and talking about how they felt. 

The Friendly tenet is one that comes naturally to Reynosa. She says being friendly is crucial in helping meet the needs of her students and their families because she often helps connect families to resources. 

Parents regularly call her for help. For example, a parent sent her a picture of a prescription from a doctor because the family didn’t understand it. There was a time when a family who was having a baby needed help with resources.  

“It is an emotional commitment because so many of the families are struggling so much and there is only so much you can do–but I’m happy to do it,” Reynosa said. 

She will sometimes use social media as a tool to ask for help. She asks friends if they would like to donate diapers, or she will create a wish list on Amazon to help get her students’ families what they need. 

She admits that it was not an easy road to get to where she is today. When she was doing her student teaching and was graduating in the fall of 2012, she knew it would be challenging to find a job because a lot of districts were not hiring in December. 

“So, I prayed and prayed and this job kind of just fell into my lap,” she said.

Since reading is her main focus in the classroom, she provides incentives for students to reach their goals. For example, the first person who learned 300 words from the Fry Sight Words list, would have a party in the classroom to celebrate the accomplishment.

One of her students reached the 300 word goal before spring break, and Reynosa bought her a cake with her name on it. The class then celebrated and had a big party to honor the student. 

“From not speaking English at the beginning of the school year, to having students read 300 words or more is a huge milestone,” Reynosa said. “The students learn and celebrate their accomplishments together. I do my best to provide a safe and welcoming environment, and I can give them the skills that they need to be successful.” 

As the sun rises on the first day of school, a mix of excitement and buzzing energy will fill the air. Although the nerves associated with the first day of school are typically associated with students, even the most seasoned educators can’t deny feeling a tinge of restlessness before they stand in front of their classroom door, ready to welcome new students. 

Chazlee Jackson is no stranger to the start of a new school year, but this year’s first day of school will look different for her. Jackson dedicated six years of her teaching career to Elisha M. Pease Elementary, where she honed her skills and made lasting connections with her students. For the 2023-2024 school year, she takes on a new role at Barbara Jordan Elementary, teaching first grade. 

“I’m thrilled to be part of the Barbara Jordan Elementary community,” said Jackson, a Dallas ISD alum, which adds an extra layer of sentimental attachment to the district. She attended Harry Stone Montessori and Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts.

As she embraces her first day at a new school, Jackson acknowledges experiencing back to school jitters of her own. 

“Jitters happen for teachers, too! I literally have to count sheep, meditate, and do breathing exercises to calm my nerves,” she admitted. Yet, she embraces the new environment with an open mind and anticipates a rewarding year of growth and learning alongside her students.

Despite being in a new location, she continues to be consistent and effective in her preparation for a new school year. Jackson has developed a process that helps her set the stage for a successful academic term. 

“I will reflect on my previous school years and really become familiar with what worked and what didn’t,” she said. She writes down a list of pros and cons from the previous year, analyzing why certain approaches were successful and others weren’t. This reflective practice allows her to plan and strategize effectively for the new year.

Drawing from her experience of starting a new school year at a different campus, Jackson offers valuable advice to fellow teachers going through a similar transition. “Walk in with your head held high because you deserve to be in that space,” she encouraged. “Be open-minded and remember to protect your peace. A stressed teacher is never their best teacher.”

For students who may be nervous about the new school year, Jackson’s message is one of empowerment and positivity. “Remind yourself that you are growing and learning, and it’s okay to make mistakes. This school year will only be great if you believe it. So tell yourself, ‘I will have a great school year because I deserve it!’” 

As the bell rings on August 14 to kick off the new school year, Jackson will stand in front of her classroom ready to embark on a new chapter in her teaching journey, armed with experience, passion, and an unwavering commitment to shaping young minds at her new school.

Annual Enrollment for 2023-2024 is ending Thursday, August 17, 2023. Team members who want to make changes to their benefits, enroll in the Sick Leave Bank, contribute to a Health Savings Accounts (HSA) or Flexible Spending Accounts must do so before 5 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 17. 

The Dallas ISD Benefits Portal (benefits.dallasisd.org) is your information hub for benefits-related information, including enrollment materials, plan descriptions and comparisons, beneficiary designations, and more.

• Forgot your password? Click on the “Forgot password” link on the home page and reset it by answering the challenge questions you set up when you first accessed the portal. If you did not set up challenge questions, call the Benefits Call Center at (972) 925-4000 for assistance.
• Are you accessing the Dallas ISD Benefits Portal for the first time? To register, enter your Employee ID, temporary password, and birth date in MMDDYYYY format, followed by the last four digits of your Social Security number. Once registered, you must set a new password, following the rules outlined on the site.
• Are you enrolling eligible family members for coverage? Provide your covered dependents’ name, date of birth, and Social Security number.
• Need a step-by-step guide for using the Dallas ISD Benefits Portal? Refer to the Benefits Overview Guide 2022-2023.

If you need some help or have any questions about your benefits please book an appointment with the Benefits Department by clicking here.

Questions or need help? If you have questions or need assistance, call the Benefits Call Center at (972) 925-4000. English- and Spanish-speaking representatives can assist you on weekdays from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Wall to wall cheers could be heard  throughout the Winspear Opera House in downtown Dallas Wednesday morning, as Dallas ISD welcomed approximately 1,400 new teachers to the district in its New Teacher Academy. The incoming team members represent teachers who have teaching experience in other districts and novices who are starting their careers in the district. 

The morning session of the New Teacher Academy included a welcome by Superintendent Stephanie S. Elizalde, Ed.D., who shared some of her experiences when she began her career as an educator.

“I always remember my first year teaching and the challenges and choices that I faced,” Elizalde said. “I could choose to say there was something wrong with my students when they were not doing well, or I could choose and pick up the mirror and say how can I get better.”

“One of the choices allows me to be comfortable,” she added. “The other one allows me to be empowered. It is a strength, not a weakness to say, ‘This is how I can improve.’” 

Elizalde added that every student deserves a champion, and that every one of the incoming teachers deserves a champion, as well. 

“My job is to ensure that we provide you the support that you need—that we champion you—so that we can champion our students,” she said.

Vanecia Brown, a teacher new to the district, was one of the attendees at the New Teacher Academy. An educator entering her seventh year of teaching, she is now the new physical education teacher at  Seagoville High School.

 “I’m really excited, and Dallas ISD has given plenty of opportunities for us to collaborate together and to be amongst other new teachers,” Brown said. “To see how the district is growing and trying to be innovative in how we are educating our students is encouraging. Go Dallas ISD!”

Bianca Camacho, an incoming first-grade teacher at Clinton P. Russell Elementary School, shares the sentiment as Brown. 

“I’m really excited to be given this opportunity to work and grow at Dallas ISD,” said Camacho, who is embarking on her sixth-year as an educator.

Presentations during the New teacher Academy took place in the morning, and the personal development training for new teachers continued during the afternoon. Among the presenters during the morning session were Dallas ISD Trustee Dan Micchiche and Dallas ISD’s Choice/Magnet Schools Teacher of the Year Jonatan Cruz. 

The New Teacher Academy also included uplifting performances by local artists Will Richey and Alejandro Perez and their band Melody Memory, Dallas Poet Laureate Joaquin Zihuatanejo, the Blue Belles Dance Team from Wilmer-Hutchins High School,  and the Royal Elite dance team from Seagoville High School.

The interactive performances with Richey and Perez had the teachers clapping and singing, and repeating empowering phrases such as “We are together one tribe.” Zihuatenjo presented his “A City is a Poem” poem with live music accompanied by Melody Memory, and a video that showcased various places and people in Dallas. The dance teams collaborated to share a high-energy performance that got the crowd energized. 

The keynote speaker of the event was author, motivational speaker, and educator Stephen Peters who talked about the impact that teachers had in helping him become a best-selling author. 

Throughout the challenges in life, he always remembered his middle school teacher who would tell him he was smart. He never forgot his teacher’s voice, and asked the attendees “What will your students hear when they hear your voice?” He also told the educators that students are dependent on what they as teachers bring every day. He described their work as “hard work, that is also heart work.”

Throughout the day, as attendees were in and out of sessions, the lobby of the Winspear included booths of different Dallas ISD departments and organizations who talked to the new team members about the different resources available to them, as they prepare to begin the new school year. 

As teachers return ready to start the new school year, one of the tasks they will be undertaking is preparing classrooms to welcome students. For some teachers, this will look a little different this year. 

This summer many teachers took advantage of the curriculum camps offered by Teaching and Learning to dig deeper and become familiar with the new curricular tools that will be utilized in the following contents: 

• K-8 RLA and K-5 Dual (Amplify)
• K-6 Math (Eureka) 
• Algebra I, II, and Geometry (Carnegie)

Teachers of these subjects will be receiving new teacher and student curricular resources soon. As you unbox these resources, Teaching and Learning invites you to share your excitement for the new curriculum by posting unboxing videos and pictures of your new tools on your social media applications using the hashtag #DallasISDUnboxed. 

Lastly, be sure to access Clever for all approved digital tools and Curriculum Central for curriculum resources. Have a great start to the school year.

Dallas ISD has reorganized the way it provides services to students who receive special education to better meet their needs and those of their families.

Richard Kastl will serve as the new assistant superintendent of Special Services. Most recently, he served as executive director of School Leadership over the Northeast Secondary Network and the Bryan Adams Vertical Team. Kastl has dedicated his career to the students and families of Dallas ISD for 18 years. He began his career at Sunset High School where he was recognized as a master science teacher, department chair, and then promoted to assistant principal. He was later named principal of Bryan Adams High School where he led efforts to turn the campus around and implemented the first comprehensive high school of choice in Dallas ISD. In 2018 he earned the designation of Master Principal. Kastl has pledged to build a districtwide culture of high expectations for all students, especially those with disabilities who receive special services. 

The department also welcomes two new executive directors. 

Kylynnedra Wilcots, who will be executive director of Special Education Child Find and Direct Services, is a 23-year Dallas ISD veteran. She began her career as a licensed specialist in school psychology and in 2015, became the district’s Behavior Program supervisor. Most recently she served as the director of Evaluation and Behavioral Health. Under her leadership, the department developed systems to ensure the district’s compliance with state and federal requirements. Wilcots is committed to developing leaders and ensuring students with disabilities receive quality services that help them thrive and meet their individual potential.

Sandra Fernandez, who will serve as the new executive director of Special Education Compliance and Instructional Support, has also been with Dallas ISD for many years. She began her 27-year career as a fourth-grade teacher at John F. Peeler Elementary School and was eventually promoted to assistant principal and principal. Under her leadership, James Bonham Elementary School became a Blue-Ribbon School in 2010. Fernandez opened Adelfa Botello Callejo Elementary School in 2012. Most recently she was an ACE principal at Nancy J. Cochran Elementary School where she and her team took the school from an F rating to a B rating. She was also a finalist for the 2023 Principal of Year. Fernandez is dedicated to ensuring campuses, students, and families receive excellent services. 

“These new leaders in Special Education bring a wealth of knowledge and experiences that will greatly benefit our students and our families,” said Elizabeth Casas, deputy chief Special Populations.