Dozens of Dallas ISD team members are preparing to host a new event that will reach out to families whose children receive certain special services in the district. The Special Populations Back to School Expo will include 22 vendors and offer a variety of resources.
Parents of students who receive districtwide services from programs such as adapted physical education, assistive technology, deaf or hard of hearing, music therapy, orientation and mobility, occupational therapy/physical therapy, speech, and vision will benefit from participation in the expo. The event focuses on students who receive the specific services mentioned and will not include a wider array of resources for all families receiving other services. The free event will be held from noon to 4 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 2, at the Forester Athletic Complex.
“Our vision is to create endless opportunities to ensure that all students in special education can have access to resources available in the district. We hope this becomes an annual event,” said Kelli Hackney, one of the organizers and representative in the Adapted Physical Education Department.
Families are encouraged to register in advance so that their services can be verified. In addition to access to resources, families will receive free school supplies, backpacks, and giveaways while they last. A sack lunch will be provided to students who participate.
Dallas ISD has proven to be not just home for the Perez family—Agapito Perez and Norma Marisa Perez work in Student Transportation Services—but also a source of pride after the recent graduation of their daughter.
Their daughter, Maritza Maldonado, graduated from Irma Lerma Rangel Young Women’s Leadership School, and her achievements include receiving multiple scholarships to attend Austin College, where she will pursue her dream of becoming an immigration lawyer.
Agapito Perez, with over 30 years of experience in transportation, has spent the last 12 years with Dallas ISD, while his wife has been with Dallas ISD for about three years. Their hard work has set a strong example for their daughter, whose accomplishments, they believe, reflect the sense of perseverance and determination they have instilled in her.
Perez shared that both he and his wife have always emphasized the importance of education and hard work.
“Since Maritza was young, she knew she wanted to be a lawyer,” Norma Perez said. “I think that helped her to focus on her studies.”
It’s not just work and academics that connect the Perez family to Dallas ISD. Big fans of soccer—they coach teams in the community—they were also very involved in their daughter’s participation in the sport from a young age and in high school.
Agapito Perez coached his daughter when she was younger and played in boys teams. When she got to high school, she joined the girls team at H. Grady Spruce High School, her home school. Students who attend Dallas ISD’s specialty and magnet schools can still participate in UIL sports activities in their home schools. Thanks to her parents’ support and guidance in this aspect of her life in Dallas ISD, Maldonado was also recruited by the Austin College soccer team and by the Tigres soccer club in Mexico.
Annual Employee Benefits Enrollment for the 2024-2025 plan year is underway through Aug. 16, and the Benefits Department will host Annual Enrollment seminars to assist team members in finalizing their benefit elections.
The seminars will be available in person and virtually via Teams and will give a brief overview of current benefit selections. The seminars will include a time for questions from participants.
Seminar Schedule:
In-Person: Aug. 7, 2024, noon-1 p.m. (Linus D. Wright Admin Building) Register Here
The major plan change for the 2024-2025 year is the elimination of the Baylor Scott & White HMO plan. Employees enrolled in this plan may elect an alternative plan through the enrollment portal. If no action is taken, these employees will automatically be enrolled in the TRS ActiveCare Primary+ medical plan.
BSW and Blue Cross and Blue Shield are in negotiation for BSW plans to remain in network with the other TRS ActiveCare plans. The deadline for these negotiations has been extended to Oct. 1. Until then, employees may continue to use their BSW providers and facilities. The Benefits Department will share updated communications as information becomes available.
While the 2024-2025 school year is just around the corner, bands like the award-winning Skyline Raiders Band, have begun their summer training schedule by giving freshmen students their first taste of what it means to be in a marching band.
At the helm of these efforts is head band director Jesse Provo, who has been a band director at Skyline for 14 years, and is entering into his second year as the band program’s leader.
Last week, band students came to Skyline to pick up their instruments, and, this week, Provo and his team began training freshmen for the upcoming marching season. tudents will learn basic warmups, get back into practicing and playing their instruments, as well as beginning to learn marching skills.
“It’s a learning curve so we have the freshman learn the way we do things – how we march, how we stand at attention, exercises, and so on.”
He said that for freshmen, the marching aspect of the program is new to them, as they’ve spent most of their time sitting down and learning music during their middle school years. Provo said that this training will help when the more experienced students in the higher grade levels join them next week. It’s almost as if they’re on an equal playing field because they’ve had that extra week of practice and preparation before everyone else returns.
Going into his second year as band director, he said what he’s most looking forward to is seeing a little bit more growth from his students, to see how they come together as a band family, as the band program happens all year round from August until June.
“I look forward to seeing our kids grow and taking on all of the challenges that I know are going to come, and being able to see them overcome them,” he said.
One of the aspects that Provo said he and his team enjoyed the most about this job is making connections and seeing his students grow.
“You can see them move on to college and do this at the university level as well,” he said. “Some of our kids become band directors. It’s great to see them join the band director ranks.”
Former students who are now band directors have come back to visit and offered to help, he said.
“It’s a wonderful feeling to know that students have taken their music education and experience and have translated it to a career path for them,” Provo said.
He credits his middle and high school band directors for motivating him to pursue music. He said as a student he remembers feeling great joy to go from not being able to read music, to being able to do it at a high level. After graduating from high school, his career path as a professional musician and educator began when he attended Alabama State University, where he also participated in the band at the university level.
Whether you are a student who has been in the band program since middle school or if this is your first time joining the program this year at Skyline, Provo said there’s a place for everyone in his program.
“We try to incorporate everybody and meet them where they are,” he said. ”I’ve seen such a big difference in students compared to when they first come in.”
He said some students come in shy, but then they make new friends and learn to play an instrument. This gives them new skills and confidence.
“Just to see their growth over time and see how they’ve changed from that shy person that didn’t really speak into becoming leaders i
n the band program over a course of a short period of time, is just wonderful to see that,” he said.
Provo said that whether students decide to pursue a career in band or not, it opens doors for them. Students have included their participation in band on their resumes, and employers have found that to be an advantage, as band requires commitment and dedication.
The Skyline Raiders band is a staple in the community and is often asked to perform at different events such as parades, opening ceremonies, and other celebrations. Provo said it’s an honor to go out into the community to perform outside of the band room because it shows that the community believes in them. It also gives the students an opportunity to give back, he said.
“From our standpoint, as long as the kids are growing in the right direction and they’re learning music, growing and being able to play and perform, and they like what they’re doing, that’s what’s most important. We want to see them growing, prospering, and performing,” Provo said.
Lupita “Lu” Guerra is an administrative assistant in School Leadership and has been working for the district for 13 years.
What attracted you to education?
What attracted me to education was having the opportunity to work alongside great leaders and be around students.
What do you do for the district and how long have you been doing it?
I have had the opportunity to work with several departments within the district, which has led me to School Leadership as an administrative assistant, to our wonderful executive directors, and to be an additional support to the principals and office managers of my vertical teams.
Why do you think the district’s culture tenets are important?
The district’s tenets promote a positive culture, boost motivation, lead people to do their best, and enhance students’ success, which is at the core of everything we do. At the same time, it reaffirms our commitment to delivering professional, high-quality service to all stakeholders, internal and external.
Is there a time when one of the culture tenets made a difference for you or someone else?
Recognition is a key tool for stepping in and assisting a colleague when in need, inspiring them to do their best work, and showing appreciation for their efforts. My success is your success mentality.
What is your go-to Core 4 tenet and why?
Friendliness, because being kind, understanding, and professional makes a huge difference when interacting with families, employees, and stakeholders.
Is there something your coworkers would be surprised to learn about you?
My life revolves around my two high school daughters, but, when I do have time for myself, I enjoy journaling, reading, and being in good company with family and friends creating memories.
Bernard Johnson is a sergeant in the Dallas ISD Police Department and has been working for the district for 24 years.
What attracted you to education?
The opportunity to shape young lives to meet their calling.
What do you do for the district and how long have you been doing it?
Sergeant of police 24 years serving Dallas ISD.
Why do you think the district’s culture tenets are important?
I believe the culture tenets are important in directing the vision of our district.
Is there a time when one of the Core 4 tenets made a difference for you or someone else?
Yes, being flexible to cover what was needed when it was asked of me.
What is your go-to Core 4 tenet and why?
All four are: staying focused daily, fast service every day, being flexible in serving all our stakeholders, and always being the friendliest employee around.
In compliance with state and federal laws, Dallas ISD requires that all employees complete the annual compliance training at the beginning of every school year. The window for completion will be Aug. 1-Sept. 30.
The policy acknowledgment will now be included as part of the compliance training in Cornerstone for support employees.
To complete the training
Employees (except for substitutes) will log into Cornerstone at https://dallasisd.csod.com. The compliance training will be in the “My Assigned Training” section located on the “Welcome” page or on the “Learning” tab under “View Your Transcript.”
For help with technical issues with the courses in Cornerstone, employees may go to the Live User Support tab to access the live support team.
Substitute employees will log into the Compliance Learning Portal using their employee ID, last name (as it appears in Oracle/Bio-Clock), and date of birth.
For additional information or assistance, please contact the Human Capital Management Policy and Compliance team at HCMcompliance@dallasisd.org.
Together, we are making student success happen, and Dallas ISD’s 2024 Convocation will celebrate the efforts team members make every day. This virtual event starts at 10 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 5. The convocation video will feature Superintendent Stephanie S. Elizalde and guests for a festive and inspiring kick off to the 2024-2025 school year.
The link to the livestream of the convocation will be available at www.dallasisd.org/convocation. A countdown video will air 30 minutes before the official start time so schools and departments that want to watch as a group have time to set up and test the video streaming. Closed captioning will be available.
Swag items to help celebrate convocation will be delivered to campuses and departments no later than Aug. 5. Each full-time team member will receive a branded fanny pack and a car visor. The number of items each school will receive was determined based on the number of full-time team members under the org. This includes campus-based central team members but not substitutes or contractors.
Although food will not be provided for convocation, campuses can take the opportunity to plan welcome-back events or meetings around the virtual event. Additional information and reminders will be shared. We can’t wait to kick off the 2024-2025 school year with all of you!
Sara Ramirez, a science lab teacher at the Environmental Education Center, has spent 13 years connecting students with nature by guiding them through hands-on field trips and providing information on environmental and earth/space science. For Ramirez, who graduated from Dallas ISD, becoming an entomology teacher is like coming home.
Ramirez attended Casa View Elementary, Henry W. Longfellow Middle School, and the School for Health Professions at Yvonne A. Ewell Townview Center. Her passion for science and wildlife led her to Texas A&M, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in wildlife and fisheries sciences. Despite moving to East Texas to escape city life, Ramirez found her dream job at the Environmental Education Center, surrounded by diverse wildlife and natural landscapes.
“I love coming to work every day and seeing what new wildlife I will encounter,” Ramirez said, recalling encounters with deer, hogs, raccoons, and more.
Growing up, Ramirez’s parents played a pivotal role in fostering her love for animals and nature. Watching National Geographic and Planet Earth with her dad, exploring state parks, and observing various animals at home fueled her curiosity and passion for science. Her parents’ encouragement broadened her understanding of the natural world, laying the foundation for her future career.
“My favorite childhood memory at Dallas ISD is my very own field trip to the Environmental Education Center. I visited with my 8th grade class from Longfellow Middle School,” Ramirez said, remembering her former teacher who is now her colleague at the environmental center.
Ramirez is the first in her immediate family to earn a college degree and proudly embraces her identity as an Aggie.
Despite her love of learning, Ramirez never envisioned herself as an educator. Although classmates predicted her career as a teacher, she initially aimed to become a veterinarian. Her experiences at a veterinary clinic, however, led her to realize her preference for outdoor work and steered her toward careers in environmental science.
It was during her time at Texas A&M that Ramirez discovered her love for teaching. Volunteering with the Wildlife Society, she enjoyed educating the public about nature, witnessing the joy on people’s faces as they learned about animals. This newfound passion prompted her to pursue teaching, leading her to obtain certifications to teach 6-12 Agriculture and 9-12 Life Science.
“The Environmental Education Center was a perfect fit for me and is my dream job,” Ramirez said, appreciating the blend of outdoor activities and educational opportunities.
Ramirez’s diverse experiences, including an unexpected stint in entomology, have enriched her teaching. Working with insect specimens at Texas A&M introduced her to the fascinating world of insects, a subject she now passionately shares with her students. Her favorite work memory at Dallas ISD involves a collaborative fish rescue mission, highlighting the hands-on, community-focused nature of her job.
The Teacher Excellence Initiative has profoundly impacted Raimirez’s career, pushing her to grow professionally. The system encouraged her to engage in grant writing, conference proposals, and educator networking, expanding her influence beyond the classroom. Presenting at conferences and sharing her ideas has become a fulfilling aspect of her professional journey.
Ramirez’s commitment to education extends to the Summer Science Program for 4th graders, where she teaches entomology. Through hands-on activities, students learn about insect life cycles and scientific collecting methods, fostering a positive connection with nature.
“The purpose of these displays and this class is to educate people about insects and their importance,” Ramirez said, aiming to inspire future environmentalists.
Balancing a busy life, Ramirez often reminds herself to “just breathe,” a mantra that helps her navigate stress and maintain mindfulness. Her dedication to her students and passion for nature continue to inspire those around her, creating a lasting impact on the next generation of environmentalists.
The Environmental Education Center, where Ramirez thrives, offers free field trips for Dallas ISD PK-12th grade classes, providing students with enriching outdoor educational experiences. For more information, visit theEnvironmental Education Center.
Dane Beasley is an operations manager in Performance Management in the Human Capital Management Department and has worked for Dallas ISD for 9 years.
What attracted you to education?
The joy of being able to help people attracted me to education. We have all come across someone that truly inspired us by the way they treated others. The professionalism, kindness, and enthusiasm from my high school English teacher, Paul Finnen, has had an impact on me to this day. The passion he had for teaching and his authentic connection with students set the standard for how I wanted to make a lasting impact in education. Whether we were discussing the character motivations in Things Fall Apart or developing sound logic to prepare for one of our many classroom debates, Finnen had a way of inspiring us to not only think outside of the box, but to also respond responsibly. While I only taught for a very short period, one thing I always carried with me was the satisfaction of helping people and treating others with kindness. Enjoying the work that you do will also carry you a long way.
What do you do for the district and how long have you been doing it?
As the operations manager of the Performance Management team in Human Capital Management, I ensure that team members are supported throughout all phases of their appraisal process. Starting with their goal setting and ending with their end of year review, I model how to leverage different tools like Cornerstone or even the TEI Dashboard so team members can have an optimal experience throughout the academic school year. My journey in Dallas ISD began nearly nine years ago when I joined the TEI team in August 2015.
Why do you think the district’s culture tenets are important?
I think the culture tenets are important because they provide us with a common standard of what success and community looks like. If we have a shared understanding of the mission and goals, then we’ll all be marching in the same direction making it nearly impossible for us to fail.
Is there a time when one of the Core 4 tenets made a difference for you or someone else?
One of the most memorable experiences I’ve had since joining Human Capital Management started off quite negative. We have phone call support year-round, but our call volume is especially high in September-October during the annual TEI Scorecard release. We received a phone call from a very irritated middle school teacher. He didn’t understand why he received partial points on his SLO submission on his scorecard. Although he did very well on the other components of the scorecard, the SLO accounted for a significant portion of his Student Achievement component. I must have been talking to him for at least 30-40 minutes just trying to ease his anxiety about the mishap and encouraged him to check out some options he had to fix the oversight that he made the previous academic school year. When he learned that the revision might take a few days to process/complete, he became pretty upset and used some very, um. colorful language before he hung up the phone. I learned early on to have a short memory about negative experiences, otherwise you might be inclined to take things personally. The next day, one of my teammates stopped by my desk and asked if she could transfer a call to me, and I said, “Of course I can assist.” To my surprise, it was the middle school teacher from the previous day. He was simply calling to apologize about the interaction the day before and admitted his frustration and interesting choice of words were in response to something unrelated that happened on his campus. Before I was able to accept his apology, he reminded me that he admired my kindness the day before, despite his own impatience and frustration. Now, anytime I have an encounter that appears to turn even vaguely negative, I like to remind myself to just be patient and friendly because you just never know what someone else might be going through.
What is your go-to Core 4 tenet and why?
Friendly, without a doubt. It’s a constant reminder of my faith and like something my mom used to tell my siblings and I all the time: treat others the way you want to be treated. The truth is everyone has a battle they are fighting, so no matter the circumstance, being kind to everyone you meet can make all the difference. My time in this district has been filled with meeting so many amazing people, and part of what makes these experiences so memorable is how personable everyone is.
Is there something your coworker would be surprised to know about you?
I wouldn’t say it’s a surprise, but my coworkers know how much I enjoy watching football. Disclaimer: I can’t promise anyone reading this that I won’t bore/annoy them with my hopeless Dallas Cowboys banter. My coworkers would be surprised to know just how much I enjoy the NFL combine and NFL draft. It’s really a Beasley family event to be honest. My wife and I have watched a ton of the combine interviews, live workouts and viral moments over the last 10 years. Draft night is my favorite part of the process because we get to see the lives of nearly 300 athletes change for the better in a matter of seconds. While the Cowboys haven’t sniffed any post season success in recent years, they are very keen on identifying, selecting, and developing players. All of that starts with the NFL combine.
One of the aspects that Provo said he and his team enjoyed the most about this job is making connections and seeing his students grow. 
