Staff News

When Heather Houston, an eighth-grade science and astronomy teacher at Jesús Moroles Expressive Arts Vanguard, found out the solar eclipse was going to happen on a Monday, she suggested to her principal that it become a schoolwide event. 

One of the things that motivated Houston was remembering how she watched partial eclipses when she was a Dallas ISD student and thought it would be an exciting experience for the students. Houston attended Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts and graduated from Sunset High School. 

“I’ve been sitting back watching the kids just take charge,” Houston said. “I’ve seen some kids that were really shy step up, and it’s been really neat to watch them turn into little teachers,” she said.

As Houston was looking for materials for her students, she remembered that one of her students wanted to be a writer, so she asked him if he was up for the challenge. Cash C., her student, wrote a book about how to safely watch the solar eclipse. It included simple facts and illustrations, and students created lesson plans around the book and models that they had created.

Houston’s students took their work outside of their classroom and taught the younger grade levels, pre-K through fifth grade, about how to watch the solar eclipse in a safe way. 

At Moroles, all grade levels will watch the solar eclipse together, with the exception of the ones whose parents signed the opt-out letters that were sent home with the students. 

Going into this, students weren’t sure exactly what to expect and wondered if they would be able to answer all the younger students’ questions or if they would behave– but they did–and the “student” teachers did an excellent job, according to Houston. 

“When students are passionate about science, I love it,” Houston said “And if I have a student that changes their mind about science throughout the year and turns out to like it, that makes my year,” she said.  

You may have already caught Houston and her students on the local news, as they have recently been featured doing this important work. 

Here’s some links to their story that ran in local news stations:

https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/dallas-isd-astronomy-students-teach-younger-students-about-upcoming-eclipse/3495057/

https://www.cbsnews.com/texas/news/dallas-isd-school-gets-in-spirit-for-total-solar-eclipse/

https://www.iqmediacorp.com/ClipPlayer?ClipID=6cbcb642-661e-49da-8eac-97733516262d&TE=%7B0%7D

School Librarian Appreciation Day is on April 9, and Dallas ISD is celebrating the highly trained professionals who cultivate a schoolwide culture of literacy, inquiry, and innovation that empowers students to become lifelong learners. 

To commemorate the day, Dallas ISD’s Library Media Services Department is highlighting some of the great work librarians are doing in supporting learning in their schools. 

Vernetta Lockridge, librarian at John W. Runyon Elementary School

Vernetta Lockridge is known for her collaborative approach to literacy instruction. When a second grade-teacher sought a lesson on Greek mythology, Lockridge accepted the challenge with a smile. Her can-do spirit and dedication have earned her the trust of her teachers, leading to invitations for hour-long “library on the go” lessons in their classroom. From exploring character traits to reinforcing the parts of a story, delving into math graphs, and discovering Greek mythology,  Lockridge seamlessly integrates literacy into engaging lessons that support her teachers’ Amplify curriculum.

Nicole Williams, librarian at T. G. Terry Elementary School

Nicole Williams creates an environment that is conducive to active and participatory learning. To support real-world experiences and science content,  Williams has a small aquarium with tadpoles which teachers and students visit regularly. The students use the district-purchased online resources to take their learning about amphibians a step further. Williams also provides engaging opportunities for students to use technology in the learning process. She leads the students in producing the virtual announcements for her school once a week.

Carrie Bruce, librarian at E.B. Comstock Middle School

At E.B. Comstock Middle School, students are combining literacy with innovative tech tools for more engaged learning. Carrie Bruce organized a lesson centered around fairy tales and used Strawbees—a STEAM technique that uses connectors and building straws that are placed together to build unique creations– to build representation of the stories. This approach enhances the students’ literacy skills, creativity, critical thinking, and the practice of using technological tools for learning. Puss in Boots built a chair and footstool for the King, Little Red Riding Hood built a closet for the wolf to hide in, and Cinderella built a pumpkin, her pink dress, and a magic wand. Kudos for innovative teaching taking place in the Comstock library.

LaShonda Roberson, librarian at Yvonne A. Ewell Townview Center

To support her Marvin E. Robinson School of Business and Management at Townview students, LaShonda Roberson participates in the student run entrepreneur space. The “library booth” is an opportunity for the library to circulate books, Social Emotional Learning activities, has a creative writing station, promotes the Dallas Public Library, and helps students build their personal home library with free books. The library booth is updated monthly.

For information about school libraries and happenings in the Library & Media Services Department, follow Dallas ISD Library and Media Services on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @DISD_Libraries or visit their website at https://www.dallasisd.org/librarymediaservices.

For 16 years, Armina Wrice has been an important member of Dallas ISD, influencing future generations since relocating from the Philippines in 2008 to pursue her passion in education by becoming a teacher. 

In addition to her teaching responsibilities, Wrice participates in other activities and clubs within the district. As a coach of the TMSCA since 2016, she has led Henry W. Longfellow Career Exploration Academy students to consistent success, qualifying in state championships under her guidance. 

“I really like to impart knowledge about math and real life,” Wrice said. 

Wrice lives by the mantra “The only permanent thing in this world is change,” a philosophy that drives her to constantly seek new ways to engage and inspire her students. Recently, Wrice was honored with the Dallas Retired Teachers Association Award, a recognition that came as a surprise. 

“The first time I ever heard of this award was very recently when my principal announced it,” she said. “I saw it as an opportunity to grant my students a new experience.”

Wrice’s inspiration stemmed from a desire to introduce her students to pen tablets, revolutionizing the way they interact with math assignments.

 “I wanted them to experience the ease of use and creative possibilities,” she said.

Thanks to the award funds, Wrice was able to purchase a class set of 30 pen tablets, which has increased innovation and creativity in her classroom. 

“It’s a dream come true, personally,” she said. “And professionally, it reaffirmed my belief that if there’s anything else I want to pursue for the benefit of the children, there will always be support out there.”

Wrice is thankful for the support of her principal, Michael Tatum, whose encouragement and guidance were essential in her journey to receiving the award. Wrice is so pleased with what she has been able to do with the award, she encourages her fellow educators to apply for grants. 

“Anyone else who would like to make some of their dreams come true should consider applying for awards like this,” she said. “The delight in the eyes of a child when they see how we make things more interesting and equitable for them is priceless.”

Assistant Principals are campus leaders who support their principals, teachers, community and other team members to make sure the day-to-day operations are carried out successfully and efficiently.   

Dallas ISD will celebrate National Assistant Principals Week April 8-12 by bringing awareness and celebrating these unsung heroes in our schools. 

“As the second in command, assistant principals play a crucial role in the success of our schools,” said Nancy A. Bernadino, Associate Superintendent. “In Dallas ISD, our assistant principals work closely with students, teachers, and families to improve academic outcomes, strengthen social-emotional learning, and create a positive climate and culture for all. We are grateful to have leaders committed to excellence and equity for all children.” 

Here are a few tips from the National Association of Secondary Principals to thank and celebrate your AP:

• Students, team members, and community members can write a thank you note with specific examples on how their AP made an impact.
• Read testimonies from students, parents, and teachers during school announcements.
• Send them an e-card to let them know they are appreciated.
• Art, music, and theater classes (specials) can do a small group project to honor your AP. 
• Share the activities your school is doing to celebrate your assistant principal via social media.

Dallas ISD team members must be cautious and take steps to protect sensitive data against smishing messages, a mix of “SMS” and “phishing”, which fool consumers into disclosing sensitive information or compromising security. Smishing attacks can be avoided by following these simple tips:

• Be cautious of messages promising prizes, rewards, or offers that seem too good to be true. These could be bait to lure recipients into revealing sensitive information.
• Be suspicious of abrupt requests for immediate action from coworkers/supervisors you rarely communicate with (i.e. principal asking you to buy gift cards).
• Watch out for messages containing shortened URLs or links that appear unusual or lead to unfamiliar websites. These links may redirect to phishing sites designed to steal credentials or deliver malware.
• Don’t trust urgent SMS messages regarding your credit card, bank account, or package delivery.
• Disregard unexpected texts asking you to reset your password due to your account being compromised. Only rely on Dallas ISD technology team members to assist you with password resets and troubleshooting.

This week representatives from Reliant Energy presented Dallas ISD’s Energy and Sustainability Department with a $64,000 check to support the district’s ongoing efforts of energy efficiency. 

Reliant started a program in 2023 called Responsive Economic Dispatch, or RED, and when the ERCOT grid is peaking high, it’s an incentive to reduce energy during peak periods.

“The RED program compensates the district for turning down during peak times, which are the most polluting times,” said Annette Van Brunt, energy consultant to the district. “Not only does it help reduce the strain on the grid, the district is getting an incentive and also reducing carbon emissions in the state of Texas.” 

“The check that was presented today was part of the 2023 RED program and was due to the fact that Dallas ISD reduced in some of our peak periods and they’re one of our largest ISD participants,” said Reliant energy representative Jeff Bettison. When the district is able to reduce, they reduce 20 megawatts, he added. 

“Both Reliant and the district continue to work on different ways to improve these efforts and look forward to working together in the future”, said Bryant Shaw, manager of the Energy and Sustainability Department.

The M/WBE Department recently recognized the top three elementary, middle and high schools that ranked the highest in supporting minority- and women-owned businesses among the district’s vendors. Schools who want to know where they rank can download this document. The top schools by grade level are:

Elementary Schools

First Place | Leslie A. Stemmons 

Second Place | Stephen C. Foster

Third Place | T.G. Terry

Middle Schools

First Place | Dr. Frederick Douglass Todd, Sr.

Second Place | Piedmont Global Academy and Barbara Mann

Third Place | Robert T. Hill 

High Schools

First Place | Kathleen Joy Gilliam Collegiate Academy

Second Place | David W. Carter

Third Place | H. Grady Spruce

One of the basics of eating healthier is having a handle on what you are eating, and the best way to do it is learning how to read nutrition labels. The following is a quick guide to reading the Nutrition Facts label.

Step 1: Start with the serving size

Servings per container and serving size information appear in large, bold font. The serving size is not a recommendation of how much to eat.

• Look here for both the serving size (the amount people typically eat at one time) and the number of servings in the package. 
• Compare your portion size (the amount you actually eat) to the serving size listed on the panel. The Nutrition Facts apply to the serving size, so if the serving size is one cup, and you eat two cups, you need to double the calories, fat and other nutrients. 
• Learn more about serving sizes on the Nutrition Facts label.

Step 2: Compare the total calories to your individual needs

• Calories are in large and bold font to make the information easier to find and use.
• Find out how many calories are in a single serving and compare it to your total calorie allowance for the day—2,000 calories per day is used for general nutrition advice, but your individual needs may be higher or lower.
• Learn more about calories on the Nutrition Facts label.

Step 3: Let the percent daily values be a guide

• Use the percent daily values (DV) to help evaluate how a particular food fits into your daily meal plan because these apply to the entire day, not just one meal or snack.
• Daily values are average levels of nutrients based on a person who eats 2,000 calories a day. A food item with a 5% DV of fat provides 5% of the total fat that a person who needs 2,000 calories a day should eat. 
• You may need more or fewer than 2,000 calories per day, which means you may need to adjust the percentage listed on the package for some nutrients. 
• Low is 5% or less. Aim low in saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol and sodium.
• High is 20% or more. Aim high in vitamins, minerals and dietary fiber. 

Step 4: Check Out the Nutrition Terms

• Low calorie: 40 calories or less per serving. 
• Low cholesterol: 20 milligrams or less of cholesterol and 2 grams or less of saturated fat per serving. 
• Reduced: At least 25% less of the specified nutrient or calories than the usual product. 
• Good source of: Provides at least 10% to 19% of the daily value of a particular vitamin or nutrient per serving.
• Excellent source of: Provides at least 20% of the daily value of a particular vitamin or nutrient per serving. 
• Calorie-free: Less than five calories per serving. 
• Fat-free/sugar-free: Less than ½ gram of fat or sugar per serving. 
• Low sodium: 140 milligrams or less of sodium per serving. 
• High in: Provides 20% or more of the daily value of a specific nutrient per serving. 

Step 5: Choose low in saturated fat, added sugars and sodium

• Eating less saturated fat, added sugars and sodium may help reduce your risk for chronic disease. 
• Saturated fat and trans fat are linked to an increased risk of heart disease. 
• Eating too much added sugar increases your calorie count and makes it difficult to meet nutrient needs within calorie coals. 
• High levels of sodium can add up to high blood pressure. 
• Remember to aim for low percentages of daily values of these. 

Step 6: Get Enough vitamins, minerals and dietary fiber

• Choose more foods containing dietary fiber, potassium, vitamin D, calcium and iron to maintain good health and help reduce your risk of certain health problems such as osteoporosis and anemia. 
• Choose more fruits and vegetables to get more of these nutrients. 
• Remember to aim high for the percentage daily values of these nutrients on other foods. 

Step 7: Consider the additional nutrients

You know about calories, but it is also important to know about the additional nutrients on the Nutrition Facts label.

• Protein: A percentage daily value for protein is not required on the label. Eat moderate portions of lean meat, poultry, fish, eggs, low-fat milk, yogurt and cheese, plus beans and peas, nuts, seeds and soy products. 
• Carbohydrates: There are three types of carbohydrates: sugars, starches and fiber. Eat whole-grain breads, cereals, rice and pasta plus fruits and vegetables. 
• Sugars: Simple carbohydrates, or sugars, occur naturally in foods such as fruit (fructose) and milk (lactose) or come from refined sources such as table sugar (sucrose) or corn syrup. Added sugars are included on the updated Nutrition Facts label. The 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends that foods and beverages with added sugars be avoided by children under the age of 2 and that individuals older than 2 years of age consume no more than 10% of daily calories from added sugars.

Foods with more than one ingredient must have an ingredient list on the label. Ingredients are listed in descending order by weight. Those in the largest amounts are listed first. This information is particularly helpful for people with food sensitivities or allergies, those who need to avoid certain ingredients due to religious reasons, or people who prefer a vegetarian eating style.

Learn more about the Nutrition Facts Label by visiting the FDA website.

Source: EatRight.org 

In the almost 25 years that Christine Martinez has been with Dallas ISD, she has become known for being a resourceful leader who is always willing to help others by leading with kindness. In her latest role as an administrative assistant with Custodial Services, she has become an advocate for the inclusion of custodians’ voices and contributions, making sure that they are honored as vital parts of the Dallas ISD team.

Martinez began her journey in the district as a registrar at Edward H. Cary Middle School, which closed in 2019 after a devastating tornado caused extensive damage to the school. The kindness for which she is known was in evidence at the time as the event turned her school community upside down. Not only did Martinez work at Cary, but she was also a graduate of Thomas Jefferson High School, another school severely damaged by the tornado. 

After the tornado, and working on different campuses—Pancho Medrano Junior High, Ben Franklin International Exploratory Academy, and Thomas Jefferson High School—following the school’s closure, the 2020 pandemic struck. That’s when she saw the opportunity to make a bigger impact in Custodial Services. 

Since she started working there, Martinez has lived by what is this year’s theme for Women’s History Month: “Women who advocate for equity, diversity, and inclusion.”

“Our custodial staff is very important to student success,” she said. “They play multiple roles, they help the teachers move their equipment, they clean the floors, they make sure we have access to essential items like paper towels.” 

“They keep students and team members healthy by making sure the buildings are clean and disinfected,” she added. “Especially when we had the pandemic, everyone else got to stay home and they were there at the buildings disinfecting them.” 

On Oct. 2, during National Custodian Day, Martinez makes sure that her fellow team members feel honored and appreciated. For the past three years, she has helped organize the different ways that custodians have been honored, such as ordering t-shirts for every custodian on campus, and giving them other swag items. Martinez has helped with the coordination as well as the creative aspect, such as helping design the t-shirts. 

Although Martinez is no longer working on a campus, she still considers her co-workers from Cary a part of her extended family and stays in contact with them. She said they get together every so often in person and stay in touch through social media for events like weddings, birth announcements, and so on.  

“Cary Middle School was my home. I spent more time there than I actually did where I’m paying my mortgage,” Martinez said. 

Despite the challenges of the school closing because of the tornado, which Martinez described as crushing, she was able to find the silver lining, as it led her to her current position at Custodial Services, which she absolutely loves. In addition to her role at Custodial Services, Martinez works at Alfred J. Loos Sports Complex. After she finishes her regular work day, she works as the acting manager at Loos, where she coordinates everything from games to special events. 

She makes sure that they are staffed for the games, including the ticket sellers and referees, having microphones, etc. She does the paperwork to make sure the referees are paid, and she’s there for the duration of an event, just in case something happens, says Martinez. 

“I meet a lot of different people, not just within the district, but our parents. They come out every week for their events and they get to see you and you run into them at the grocery store and in the community,” Martinez said. 

Like her times at Cary, Martinez continues to build connections with students, families, and community members. Martinez builds those connections everywhere she goes and is often encouraging others to work for the district, where she has met lifelong friends.

“I’m always always encouraging people to get in with the district. I tell them ‘find your home, find your place,’” Martinez said. “Of course, not everybody’s going to find the right match the first time. They can work at a school or in a central office, or anywhere. My advice is to keep trying.” 

“I have just been one of the lucky ones.” she said. “I had found my home at Cary, but I also found my home when I started working here at Custodial Services.”

Social workers play a vital role in our schools advocating for students, families and communities. During March—Social Work Month—Dallas ISD celebrates the work these professionals do to meet the needs of students and families.

“A lot of times you have to meet students and families where they are. You can’t go to them with a pious or superior attitude,” said Patricia Washington, a social worker in the district’s Child Find Department. “Sometimes they can’t help the circumstances they’re in and you have to work with them and treat them as you would want someone to treat one of your family members.” 

The theme for this year is “Empowering Social Workers,” as a way to bring awareness to better support social workers. According to the National Association of Social Workers website, it is one of the fastest growing professions in the United States, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that nearly 800,000 people will work as social workers in the United States by 2032, an increase of 7 percent over the decade.

Washington, of two social workers in her department, said that Social Work Month brings awareness to a field that can often be thankless by highlighting all the good things social workers do. 

“Most of us are in this business because we want to help those in need, and we truly care about the needs of others,” Washington said. “I’ve helped connect people to different resources, such as housing, mental health services, food, and so on.” 

Washington, who’s been working for the district since 2015, has been a social worker for over 40 years. Before coming to the district, she worked for the Dallas Police Department in the crisis intervention area. In fact, she started working for the district on the day she retired from the police department. Prior to that, she had worked for Child Protective Services, as well as a federally funded program that helped young mothers and pregnant teens. 

Washington, who graduated from Franklin D. Roosevelt High School, took the opportunity to work in the district as a way of giving back to the community that raised her.  

While Washington says she isn’t someone who expects anything in return, she does recall moments when she felt extremely gratified for doing the work she does. She remembers a time when she helped a mother and daughter mend their relationship after the daughter had suffered some trauma that the mother wasn’t aware of. Washington intervened and helped connect them to services as well as help their relationship. 

“The mom wrote a three-page letter to my supervisor after she found out who my boss was, and let him know how grateful she was and what a difference I had made, and to this day, it is one of my memorable moments, as it was an unexpected surprise,” Washington said. 

Washington said she was made for this kind of work, and she even practices kindness and empathy outside of work. For example, she will sometimes go up to a parent with their child at a grocery store, and say “I’m proud of you.” She had also been a “Big Sister” in the Big Brothers Big Sisters Program for several years, where she mentored a child who is now 21 years old. She recalls the child’s mom being thankful to her for bringing different opportunities to her daughter that she otherwise wouldn’t have been exposed to due to the mother’s disabilities. 

Washington said she inherited her mom’s caring heart to do this kind of work and describes her mom as someone who was always positive and gave others the benefit of the doubt. It’s that same kindness and dependability that Washington is known by her colleagues and the district’s families that she serves, and said that she truly loves the work that she does.

If you would like more information on the work that social workers do, and how you can help bring awareness, visit the National Association of Social Workers website at https://www.socialworkers.org/.