Staff News

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!

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.