Submitted by Dallas Education Foundation
The Dallas Education Foundation (DEF), Dallas ISD's direct and designated nonprofit philanthropic partner, held its third annual HeART of Teaching Gala on November 1st in the historic Longhorn Ballroom. This year's gala featured an innovative way to connect the Dallas community with Dallas ISD by partnering with Dallas ISD dance teachers and notable Dallas residents to host a fun and friendly dance competition. Dancing with the Dallas Stars.
Not only were Dallas ISD dance educators featured, but musical performances by teachers from across the arts disciplines included a large, burgeoning jazz ensemble, a high-energy cover band, and a toe-tapping pop ensemble performed by Dallas ISD. The energy of the night was amplified. Art educator! Also, the teachers who worked behind the scenes: the incredible visual artists who provided original art and talent for the silent auction, and the world-class Dallas ISD production who moved the lights, played the music, and managed the stage. I can't forget the staff either.
DEF celebrated the evening's great success, including honorary president Ambassador Ron Kirk, hosts Lynne McBee and John Dahlander, and respected judges from the arts community Charles Santos and Ahava Silky. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to all the members of the Dallas community who were involved. -Jones, Lily Kabatou Weiss.
DEF would like to thank our city's stars who have continued to rehearse time and time again to light up the dance floor: Texas Congressman Rafael Anchia, Dallas ISD Superintendent Stephanie Elizalde, Ed.D., the Honorable Jennifer Stback Gates, WFAA Anchor, Dallas ISD Alumni Cynthia Izaguirre, Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins, and Victor Vital, Managing Partner of Burns & Thornburgh and Chairman of the DEF Board of Directors.
John Dahlander, Head of Partnerships and Governmental Relations, guided guests through the evening, highlighting the dance duo through thoughtful and thought-provoking interviews. And our Dallas ISD star and superintendent Stephanie Elizalde lit up the dance floor with her intense mambo and flamenco performance with her partner David Arevalo. Congratulations to Sunset High School's Fernando Rocha and Jennifer Stback Gates for winning the coveted Mirrorball trophy!
All of the evening's entertainment was provided by Dallas ISD teachers and their Star Dance disciples. HeART of Teaching aims to highlight the talent and dedication of His ISD educators in Dallas. We would like to thank the following Dallas ISD performers and production staff for volunteering their time to prepare, produce, and perform for the gala.auction items
Nae Callihan, Wilmer Hutchins High School
Robert Cooper, H. Grady Spruce High School
Monica Haislip, Visual Arts Director
Bob Romano, Thomas Jefferson High School
Erica Stevens, Asher Silverstein Elementary School
Brandon Tijerina, Theater Director
Desiree Vanicia, Woodrow Wilson High School
dancer
David Arevalo, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Academy of the Arts
Schalk Chendal, Seagoville High School
Quan Powers, H. Grady Spruce High School
Janna Robison, W.H. Gaston Middle School
Fernando Rocha, Sunset High School
Iris Wyatt, Lincoln High School, Humanities/Communication Magnet
Dallas Music Educators Association Director Jazz Ensemble
Ray Akin, W.H. Gaston Middle School (retired)
Doug Baskin*, David W. Carter High School (retired)
Nae Callihan, Wilmer Hutchins High School
Dr. Mark Cervantes, LG Pinkston Senior High School
Tony Galbreath, David W. Carter High School (retired)
Kermit W. Gray Jr., Franklin D. Roosevelt High School of Innovation
Alan Green*, Hillcrest High School (retired)
James Guyton, Judge Louis A. Bedford Jr. School of Law
Alejandro Hernandez, Raul Quintanilla Sr. Middle School STEAM Academy
Josh Howe, Zan Wesley Holmes Jr. Middle School
Tyrone Jones, Emmett J. Conrad High School (retired)
Jay Kelliher, Fred F. Florence Middle School Young Men's Leadership Academy
Rene Luna, WE Greiner Academy of Exploration Arts
Michael Mihalovich, Robert T. Hill Middle School
Cecil Neal Jr., T.W. Brown Middle School
Artemus Nelson*, Mark Twain School for the Talented and Gifted
Dorian Scott, Barack Obama A. Maceo Smith Men's Leadership Academy
Carissa Washington, Central Staff
Christopher Young*, Barack Obama, A. Maceo Smith Men's Leadership Academy
*Also performs in the Dallas ISD cover band
pops orchestra
Amanda Chen, Thomas C. Marsh Preparatory Academy
Felipe Diaz Jr., WE Greiner Academy of Inquiry Arts
Maria “Lupe” Garcia, WE Greiner Academy of Inquiry Arts
Steven Ramirez, Bryan Adams High School
Ellis Ramos, Judge Louis A. Bedford Jr. School of Law
Kyra Russell, George B. Deeley Montessori Academy
photograph
Jeff Dietz, Dallas ISD Photographer
Production staff
Chris Brown, Event Audio Support Supervisor
Sergio Cebrian, Event Audio Support
Adam Kullman, North Dallas High School
Tyne Thompson, South Oak Cliff High School
Deannara Vasquez, Anne Richards STEAM Academy
Phil Villar, Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts
Additionally, DEF would like to thank the Dallas ISD Visual and Performing Arts Department for their dedication and support throughout the planning and execution of the event.
Video and performing arts staff
Hope Crockett, dance manager
Monica Haislip, Visual Arts Director
Lametria Smith, Instrumental Music Director
Brandon Tijerina, Theater Director
All proceeds from the gala will support the Dallas Education Foundation to advance early learning, literacy and post-secondary success in Dallas ISD. This event was only made possible through community investment from our organizing committee, sponsors, and silent auction donors. The HeART of Teaching event also includes his four designated grant sponsors: Addy Foundation, Clay Jenkins Family Foundation, Linebarger at Law, and Thompson & Horton, which will provide grants to the Dallas ISD Visual and Performing Arts Department To do.
About the Dallas Education Foundation
The Dallas Education Foundation's mission is to stimulate community investment to advance student success in Dallas ISD. Since late 2019, DEF has awarded more than $7 million in grants to benefit Dallas ISD, with a focus on paths to economic mobility for all students. The Dallas Education Foundation's 2023 HeART of Teaching campaign will run until the end of his December. For more information on how to support Dallas ISD students through the Dallas Education Foundation, please visit the following website: Website.
