Staff News

Dallas ISD’s Benefits Department is giving the boot to breast cancer by partnering with Susan G. Komen for the 2024 Race for the Cure, an impactful event dedicated to raising awareness about breast cancer. And all team members can help!

The race will take place starting at 8 a.m. with an opening ceremony on Saturday, Oct. 19, at The Campus at Legacy, 5360 Legacy Drive, Plano, 75024. Dallas ISD employees can register to join the district team or can sponsor someone who has already registered to participate in the race for the cure. Those who registered by Sept. 22 will receive a free t-shirt. To register, click the team link: Team Dallas ISD. For more information on how to participate, download the flyer.

Proceeds from the race will be used by the Komen Foundation to fund breakthroughs that give more time to everyone in their fight against breast cancer; to provide care that ensures all have access to quality screening, diagnosis and treatment for breast cancer; to offer patient support, treatment assistance, even childcare and transportation services; to support everyone, no matter where they are in their breast cancer journey by providing a safe place to share, grieve, support and find strength to move forward; and to be advocates, fighting for government funding and critical patient support and research.

As the school year progresses, it’s a good idea to be mindful of prioritizing cybersecurity. The district’s Educational Technology Department has some important tips to help you protect your data, devices, and district resources.

1. Refrain from using the same password for personal and work accounts. Ensure that your work and personal accounts have different, strong passwords to safeguard your information.
2. Don’t leave devices unattended. Lock your device before walking away from it
3. Avoid public Wi-Fi to access district resources. Public Wi-Fi networks, like those at coffee shops, are convenient but not secure. Connect to Dallas ISD VPN for a secure connection.
4. Back up your teaching curriculum. Routinely transfer your teaching materials to cloud services such as OneDrive or Google Drive. 
5. Reach out for help. Contact the Dallas ISD IT Department or Help Desk if you need any technical assistance such as passwords. 

You can contact the Dallas ISD Educational Technology Department at 972-925-5630 or via email at ITServiceDesk@Dallasisd.org.

With a little over a month left before the Nov. 5 election, and a few days left to register to vote, it’s a good time to make sure you have the necessary ID required by state law to present at the polls and that all your information is up to date.

Election officials will accept several types of official documents as identification:

• Texas driver license issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety
• Texas election identification certificate issued by DPS
• Texas personal identification card issued by DPS
• Texas handgun license issued by DPS
• U.S. military identification card containing the person’s photograph
• U.S. citizenship certificate containing the person’s photograph
• U.S. passport (book or card)

State law requires election officials to determine whether the voter’s name on the identification provided matches the name on the official list of registered voters. After a voter presents their ID, whether it’s an acceptable form of photo ID or a supporting form of ID (if applicable), the poll worker will compare it to the official list. If the name on the ID matches the name on the list of registered voters, the voter will follow the regular procedures for voting.

If the name does not match exactly but is “substantially similar” to the name on the official list, the voter will be permitted to vote as long as the voter signs an affidavit stating that the voter is the same person on the list of registered voters.

If a voter possesses an acceptable form of photo ID but does not have it at the polling place, the voter will still be permitted to vote provisionally. The voter will have six days to present an acceptable form of photo identification to the county voter registrar. Alternatively, a voter who possesses an acceptable form of photo ID but does not have it at the polling place may choose to leave the polling place and return before the close of the polls on election day with said acceptable form of photo ID to, if the voter would otherwise qualify, vote a regular ballot at that time.

A voter who has moved and wants to update their registration with their new address can do so online before Oct. 7. Those who move to a new state, must register with the state they moved to.

If you update your county of residence, your voter registration in your current county will be cancelled. Your voter registration information will be updated to the corresponding county of your new address. Visit https://txapps.texas.gov/tolapp/sos/SOSACManager to make the changes online. If you have questions about the process, visit this FAQ section.

Once the change has been made, the voter will receive a new Voter Certificate in the mail within 30 days of submitting a change through this service. If you submit changes less than 30 days prior to an election, you must vote at your current polling location. To use this service, you need your:

• Current Driver License or ID Card
• Social Security Number
• Voter Registration Card VUID (Voter Unique Identifier) Number may be obtained from your County Voter Registrar.

Maria Tamayo has built her legacy and found her home as lead custodian at Maria Moreno STEAM Academy, where she has worked for the last 28 years. Her children also have been part of the Dallas ISD legacy attending Moreno and later graduating from district schools.  

To recognize the hard work it takes to have the schools and facilities in tip top shape and bring awareness to the dedication of custodians like Tamayo, schools throughout the country celebrate National Custodian Day on Oct. 2. 

“When I arrive at my school every morning, I feel at home,” Tamayo said. “I like the staff, the community, and the kids. They are like my family, and I feel as if I’m arriving at my second home.” 

Tamayo said she is honored by the welcome she receives from everyone from students, cafeteria staff, administration, teachers, and other team members on a daily basis. What she likes most about her job is making sure the school is spotless and making it a space where children can feel safe. 

“It’s more than just doing a cleaning job,” she said. “It’s also giving  that sense of security to the children,” she said. “[The floors are] kind of my forte—stripping the floors, waxing them and making them look like mirrors.”

Before coming to the district nearly three decades ago, she worked in a restaurant long hours and weekends, which was not conducive to raising a family. She applied to work for the district on a Wednesday, and by Monday she was on the job. What Tamayo originally thought would be a temporary position turned into a permanent one. At the time, she was even pregnant with her youngest daughter. 

Tamayo started as a substitute custodian in the administration building’s previous location and was soon offered a permanent job at Moreno where she has stayed ever since. 

One of the driving forces for working for the district was her children. Tamayo could take her children to school, since they attended Moreno, and she felt her job was a better fit for the wellbeing of her family. What she didn’t anticipate was how much she was going to love her job – one that she takes pride in and where she has built lifelong friendships. 

In her years of work with the district, Tamayo said that one of the things that has helped her overcome challenging moments is to approach things with patience and dedication, as well as trusting herself and her abilities. 

“Everyone has difficulties. We have to leave our problems at the door once we are at work,” she said. “Children can sometimes go through challenges, but it’s up to us to be strong for them in order to provide them with a safe space.”

One of the Core 4 tenets that Tamayo lives by is Friendly: Make Memorable Moments. Students who have since graduated and now have children of their own who attend Moreno often go up to Tamayo and share their fond memories of her. 

“Sometimes, I see a student who looks like a former student, and then I realize the former student is now a parent,” she said.

Tamayo is a person with many talents and interests. She is an avid traveler, having visited different countries and continents. She also loves nature and outdoor activities, crocheting, cooking, and baking. She takes pride in her homemade tortillas, which she learned to make from her mother. Having her table filled with food, and gathering around the table with her grown children, and their families is one of the biggest joys of her life. 

She has worked with four principals who have been very supportive. Her biggest wish is to have a happy retirement and for one of her team members to take her position as lead custodian at the school. She also hopes to leave a lasting impression, a legacy. 

“When it’s someday time for me to retire, I want to leave on a beautiful note, to be remembered as the one who brought cookies, or had a word of encouragement, or offered a shoulder to lean on to team members. I want to be remembered as a kind person who cared for others,” she said. 

One can argue that music teacher Andrés Rodriguez is a renaissance man. Among his many roles is teaching modern band and drumline, being the esports coach at his school, hosting a podcast, and performing as a professional musician who emphasizes learning about the richness of Hispanic culture.

His path began when Rodriguez  joined the orchestra and choir in his elementary school and continued his music education into his high school years. Rodriguez currently teaches pre-K through fifth grade at Arturo Salazar Elementary School, where he has been since 2020. Although he was active in music growing up, being a music teacher wasn’t originally on his radar. 

That didn’t happen until he was studying psychology at Tarrant County College and became a marching tech at his high school, which encompassed volunteering his time and helping  the new kids out with marching, he said. While helping the older students develop  leadership skills, he discovered that he was quite good in this role and enjoyed it, he said.

He went on to study at the University of North Texas, which is known for having a top rated music program. Rodriguez’s primary instruments are tuba and drums, but can play and teach multiple instruments. 

Rodriguez, who is Mexican American, makes sure students are empowered by helping them learn about their rich cultural heritage, something that he said is very relevant at Salazar where the majority of students are Hispanic.

“Teaching the culture of our people and incorporating it into the western way of learning music is very important because some of my students don’t speak English,” he said. “Some of my students are ESL students, and being able to learn a song, whether it be Spanish or English, is something that everyone can do.”

Rodriguez feels that incorporating culture, such as that of Hispanics, is a way for students to connect to each other, and celebrate their uniqueness. It is a way to empower students by connecting to their heritage, he said. “I feel like that helps grow the culture, the respect for where you came from or where your family came from,” he said.

Rather than losing their identity, Rodriguez likes to celebrate the uniqueness of his students. Not only do students learn different songs, they learn the history behind it. An example would be teaching the history of where songs such as “La Raspa” or “La Cucaracha” come from. 

“Most of the students have heard of them, but what is the historical significance behind the songs?” Rodriguez said. 

Rodriguez started as a teacher at Dallas ISD during COVID and used his talents to create YouTube videos to keep his young students engaged. He also has won grants to help fund the needs of his music program, which includes a modern band program and a drumline. Thanks to grant funding, his students have marching band instruments. 

“We learn all of the things that you would learn in a high school drumline, but at a place where the kids can really understand and develop themselves,” Rodriguez said.

One of Rodriguez’s accomplishments was being a top three finalist in the Dallas Symphony Orchestra’s 2024 Music Teacher of the Year Award. While Rodriguez is not currently teaching strings in his classes, he said the DSO judges likely felt a connection to him teaching students ukulele because of the strings and the hand positioning—things that musicians of orchestra instruments do. Besides the grants, awards, and accolades, Rodriguez knows that the importance of music goes deeper.

“You have music literacy,” he said “You are learning the  values  of notes and all of the key nuances of music. But before students do that, they need to learn how to read to learn lyrics, and they have to know math because you do a lot of counting in music.” 

Rodriguez plans to continue challenging his students and developing these young musicians, but mostly he hopes they will become leaders who will go out into the world with confidence. 

National IT Professionals Day, observed annually on the third Tuesday in September, is a time to recognize and appreciate the dedication of those who safeguard the digital world. At Dallas ISD, the Information Security team is formed by a group of professionals committed to protecting the district from ever-evolving cyber threats.

Led by Security Manager Tommy Pigeon—who has already made significant progress in improving the district’s approach to cybersecurity in the 10 months he has been with the district—the team has redefined, prioritized, and managed security risks in the education sector.

“Creating sustainable and secure IT solutions to enhance the classroom experience for our students drives my team each and every day,” Pigeon said. 

The team is structured into three specialized vertical sections, each playing a crucial role in fortifying Dallas ISD’s cybersecurity landscape:

• Architecture and Engineering: This section is responsible for the design and implementation of secure systems across the district.
• Threat and Vulnerability Management: Focused on identifying and mitigating potential security risks, this team ensures that any abnormalities in data or district assets are promptly addressed.
• Privacy and Compliance: This team works diligently to protect employee and student data by overseeing data sharing agreements and ensuring that all vendors comply with district and educational standards.

One of the key projects currently being spearheaded by Security Architect Sean Sheridan and Security Engineers Jose Gonzalez and Daniel Akwei is the implementation of cloud security and data loss prevention measures. These efforts are critical in enhancing how applications and data are securely handled within the district.

Since last year, the Threat and Vulnerability Management team has expanded, with Brandon Nerios and Adrian Villanueva joining Jennifer Le as information security analysts. Their combined expertise have strengthened the team’s ability to detect and address security risks more effectively.

Maria Macias and Christian Thomas, who lead the Privacy and Compliance team, play an essential role in managing data agreements and ensuring vendor compliance with district policies and standards. Their work is vital in maintaining the integrity and security of our district’s data.

Information Security’s work extends beyond their technical expertise as they regularly interact with stakeholders, including principals and concerned parents. The team’s flexible approach, aligned with the district’s Core 4 values, ensures that needs and concerns are addressed with professionalism and care.

You may have heard there’s an election coming up on Nov. 5. If you want to vote, state law requires you to register 30 days prior to the election in which you want to participate, which this year is Oct. 7. This means that if you are not a registered voter by Oct. 7, you won’t be able to cast your vote.

Fortunately, there is still plenty of time to make a plan and either update your registration if you have moved to a new address, are new to the state or have never registered before. Remember, you can’t cast your ballot unless you’re officially registered, so don’t miss the deadline!

Voter Eligibility Requirements

You may register to vote if you fulfill all of the following requirements:

• You are a U.S. citizen
• You are at least 17 years, 10 months of age (to vote, you must be 18)
• You have not been declared totally mentally incapacitated or partially mentally incapacitated without the right to vote by a final judgment of a court exercising probate jurisdiction
• You are not finally convicted of a felony, or, if so convicted must have (1) fully discharged the sentence, including any term of incarceration, parole, or supervision, or completed a period of probation ordered by any court; or (2) been pardoned or otherwise released from the resulting disability to vote

How to register

Texas does not allow for online voter registration, but there are other ways to register:

• You can download, print, and mail and application, which must be postmarked by Oct. 7. Applications are available in English(PDF document), Spanish(PDF document) and Vietnamese(PDF document).
• You can request an application by phone at (469) 627-8683
• You can register in person in your county office
• You can pick up an application at your local tax office, library and other government offices

Once you are registered, you will receive your voter registration certificate via mail. The certificates are yellow and are valid from the date of your registration through Dec. 31, 2025. You will get a new certificate every year while your registration remains active.

What is suspense?

The term Suspense usually refers to voters whose current address is not up-to-date in the state’s voter registrar system. A voter’s name may be added to the suspense list if they fail to respond to an address confirmation notice sent by the county where the voter last resided. Notices are triggered by the following circumstances:

• If a voter’s name appears on the list of nonresidents from the jury service office, or
• If a voter’s registration certificate is returned via mail to our department.

 For information on how to update your voter registration, visit https://www.votetexas.gov/. Information should be updated by the Oct. 7 registration deadline.

 Source: Dallas County Elections and dallascountyvotes.org

The Beat is starting Life Matters, a new occasional series to help team members navigate some of life’s challenges.

Handling work and caregiving responsibilities is never easy. Worldwide, the number of caregivers is rising every year and caregivers often must balance work, family, and other responsibilities as well as their caregiving role. Explore the challenges that working caregivers might face and learn ways to help balance these important responsibilities.

Understanding and balancing responsibilities

If you are managing caregiving responsibilities as well as your regular employment, you may face questions and uncertainties. You may not know whether your loved one will recover from an illness or how much care you will have to provide down the road.

Despite these uncertainties, it’s important to plan and explore the many sources of support available. This will allow you to do your best at work while knowing your family member,  relative or friend is getting the best possible care.

Caring for a loved one—a common experience

Here are some facts:

• More than 250 million people around the world are caregivers with an estimated 53 million in the United States alone. 
• Women predominantly take on the caregiving role. Worldwide, it is estimated between 57% to 81% of all caregivers of the elderly are women, according to a study published by the NCBI. Cultural differences play a role in this to varying degrees across the globe.
• Many young people are caregivers. Although the average age for caregiving is age 50 to 64, many caregivers are in their 20s or 30s. And the demand on young people for this role is growing as the population of older adults increases.

The realities of being a working caregiver

Most people underestimate how much time they will spend as caregivers. While working full-time and getting your own needs met—let alone providing care—you may not realize how many hours you are putting into caregiving for a relative, but the hours will add up. For one week, write down the hours you spend providing care and see if it matches your estimate. This will give you clarity and choice over how you best plan your time.

Caregiving affects physical and mental health. Studies show that caregivers experience higher levels of depressive symptoms and stress than non-caregivers. Caregivers also have reported worsening physical health ranging from complaints such as headaches to increased risk for heart disease.

Keeping this in mind can help you plan for the challenges you may face as a working caregiver. For example, because so many people underestimate how much time they will spend as caregivers, you may need to develop both a short- and a long-term plan for combining work and caregiving.

Juggling your many responsibilities

One of your biggest tasks as a caregiver who works is finding a way to manage your work and caregiving responsibilities so that you can give your best to both. Here are some tips:

Set priorities. Identify the caregiving tasks that are most important and schedule time for them in your calendar. Don’t wait until a crisis occurs to decide which commitments you can reduce or eliminate, because you may not be thinking as clearly then.

Learn to delegate. Even if you can meet all your relative’s needs on your own, you’ll provide better care if you take breaks from your responsibilities. Delegating some of the tasks of caregiving will help you avoid burnout and maintain the energy you need to meet all your responsibilities. It will ease the resentment that comes from taking on too much and will enhance the relationship with the person for whom you are caring and the rest of the family.

Develop a system. Consider making a list of your loved one’s needs (such as visits, doctors’ appointments, and help with shopping). Include the times when they occur and spaces for people to sign up to help with them. Copy the list and send it to everyone who might be able to help. Or create a password-protected website that people can check regularly to learn about your relative’s needs and help them decide how they can help. Alternatively, an online service such as Lotsa Helping Hands can make communication and coordination much easier between those who provide care for your relative. (Note: Keep in mind you may need to check with those who help you with your caregiving responsibilities to make sure they’re not sick as your relative or friend may be at increased risk of severe illness. Consider asking visitors to wear a mask for the safety of your relatives.)

Keep good records. Set up a system to organize papers related to your relative’s care—for example, transportation, adult day care, medical bills, and various legal documents—so you’ll always be able to find what you need. You can use folders, an accordion file, or a three-ring binder and make sure you have a dedicated notebook to write down information and keep track of your relative’s medical history, current medical conditions, and medications to give to the health care provider or emergency medical personnel if needed. Write down any questions you have of medical professionals as your time with them will be limited.

Plan for emergencies. It may take weeks or even months for appointments with professionals, such as health care providers or elder law attorneys. If your relative’s doctor has said that they may soon need to see a specialist, call now to find out the waiting times and make an appointment. And keep in mind that planning includes knowing your relative’s end-of-life decisions. Encourage your relative to complete such documents as a living will and a durable power of attorney for both medical and financial decisions, and a will.

Get ideas from other working caregivers. Talk with them about your challenges and how they might resolve them. You may also get helpful ideas from the Family Caregiver Alliance.

Find out what kind of support your employer offers for caregivers. Your employer may offer benefits that would make it easier for you to juggle your work and caregiving needs, such as flexible working or job-sharing. Avoid waiting until a crisis occurs to ask about these, so you’ll have enough time to think about which might work best for you. 

Talking with your manager

Your employer’s support is vital to navigating your work and caregiving. A conversation with your manager can help you find solutions to your caregiving challenges. Have the conversation right away if your caregiving has started to affect your work or you feel it will soon. It’s essential to discuss with your manager if your caregiving tasks have caused you to miss a deadline, come in late or leave early, or if those tasks have affected your ability to meet an important responsibility at work. Your manager may know of helpful resources offered by your employer or be able to adjust your responsibilities so that all the work gets done on time.

Keep your manager informed of changes that may affect your ability to meet all your responsibilities. Let them know promptly if the situation changes so that they can make any needed adjustments to the plan you’ve worked out for getting the work done.

Taking care of yourself

Balancing life, work, and caregiving is a challenge that can affect your own health and wellbeing. You’ll be able to provide better care if you take good care of yourself as well.

Here are some guidelines that may help you make your own health a priority:

• Maintain your usual good health routines. Eat a healthy diet, exercise regularly, and get seven to nine hours of sleep every night to maintain your energy.
• Use vacation to recharge. Think of your time off as a break not just from work, but, if possible, from caregiving.
• Look into respite care. Respite care gives you a temporary break from caregiving responsibilities. Some long-term care facilities provide overnight respite care for limited periods of time. You could also arrange for a relative to provide respite care for a shorter period, such as a few hours each weekend while you visit a park or have lunch with a friend. Learn more about respite care and find links to programs in your community on the site for the ARCH National Respite Network.
• Look into any leave laws under which leave may be covered (such as the Family and Medical Leave Act [FMLA]) if you need to provide extended care. FMLA allows caregivers to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave, with some restrictions, to care for a family member. 
• Contact the assistance program. The assistance program has additional resources on managing stress, finding local services, dealing with housing, staying on top of health issues, and coping with job-related issues you may face as a working caregiver.

If you need help, the district’s Employee Assistance Program provides short-term counseling for you, your spouse/partner, and any dependent family members. Counseling sessions can assist with a wide range of concerns, including stress, anxiety, depression, grief, and more. And, as always, you can reach TELUS Health EAP 24/7 at 972-925-4000 Option 3. For additional questions, employees may contact the Human Capital Management Benefits Department at 972-925-4300, email benefits@dallasisd.org, or click here for information on the Benefits Website.

Dallas ISD team members who create altars each year to commemorate Día de los Muertos in their homes or community have an opportunity to share their talents with others. The Latino Cultural Center, located in downtown Dallas, is calling for entries for their annual Día de los Muertos exhibition, which celebrates the lives and legacies of loved ones with colorful and creative altars. 

Community members, organizations, and artists are invited to share their own unique altars as part of a public exhibition. Submissions can be traditional or can have a modern interpretation, as long as they stay respectful to culture, according to the LCC website.

The altars cannot exceed six feet in height, six feet  in width, and four feet in depth. Perishable food will not be permitted in the altars but pre-packaged items, such as unopened candies and chips, are acceptable. Candles are also acceptable but cannot be lit. If you need a table for your altar, the LCC can provide it, but tables are limited.

If you altar is accepted for inclusion:

Installation: Oct. 18-24
Exhibition: Oct. 25-Nov. 9
Breakdown of installation: Nov. 12 and 16

For more information, call the LCC at 214-671-0045 or visit their website  at https://lcc.dallasculture.org/. Link to apply: https://form.jotform.com/242285990803160

Maria Rodriguez, the first Hispanic female sergeant in the Dallas ISD Police Department, has achieved a significant milestone in her community. Born and raised in Dallas, she attended various Dallas ISD legacy schools, including Maple Lawn Elementary School and Thomas Jefferson High School, where she was active in extracurricular activities such as the Liberty Belles and martial arts.

In 2010, she joined Dallas ISD as a teacher assistant at Skyline High School, where she met officer Alan Miles, who encouraged her to apply to the Dallas ISD police. At the time, Rodriguez’s son was 2 years old and needed attention, but she decided to join the police academy anyway and graduated in 2015.

Promoted to sergeant in December 2023, Rodriguez shared her pride in being the first Hispanic woman to achieve this rank within the department.

“I hope it paves the way for other Hispanic women,” she said, acknowledging the challenges of working in a male-dominated field. “Courage, resilience, and perseverance are key.”

Having worked as a detective for six years before her promotion, she credits her faith and strong support system for helping her navigate the challenges of her profession. Faith and family have been significant influences in her journey. 

“God gives me the wisdom to deal with situations as a police officer, and my supportive husband keeps me grounded,” she said. 

When asked about her impact on the Hispanic community, she highlighted the importance of representation. 

“Just by doing a good job with integrity and honesty, I hope others can see themselves in me and be inspired to pursue their dreams,” she said. She also shared a message for Hispanic students, encouraging them to “not let fear or limitations hold them back” and to see the possibilities in their future.

Rodriguez’s parents constantly encourage her to work diligently and represent the community with honor. 

“I am here to help,” she said. 

Parents often come to Rodriguez to discuss their concerns because they feel comfortable approaching someone who speaks and looks like them.

Her passion for community engagement is evident in her commitment to educating students about law enforcement. As a frontline supervisor for Bravo Patrol, she plans to work closely with students and parents to build strong relationships and mentor young people, particularly those who may lack positive role models at home.

“Mentoring and building relationships with students is a top priority,” she said, believing that early education on the law can prevent future issues.

“Many students within the district already come with challenges when they step in the door of the school,” she said. Students are looking for role models.

Looking ahead, Rodriguez hopes to increase Hispanic representation in law enforcement and continue educating students on the importance of making good choices. She believes that more Hispanic males and females are needed in the field and emphasized the importance of diversity in fostering trust and understanding between the community and law enforcement.

“Hispanic Heritage month is a time to reflect what we have overcome as a community and look at the future with a smile.” Rodriguez said. “Live life with joy and happiness.”