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Dallas ISD superintendent Michael Hinojosa’s resignation comes as superintendent vacancies are
at an all-time high. (PHOTOS: COURTESY DALLAS ISD)
ROADMAP FOR A REPLACEMENT
Dallas ISD has plenty to offer, but it may not make superintendent search easier
While Michael Hinojosa’s January announcement that he would be tendering his resignation as superin tendent of BETHANY Dallas ISD
ERICKSON might have come as a surprise to the public, it wasn’t a shock to the board of trustees. in fact, I am grateful to him for giving us a heads up and, frankly, for resigning in the manner he did at this time of the year because it gives the board plenty of time to conduct a very thorough search process and still have a new superintendent in place before the first day of school.” That said, the board may not find it easy to find a replacement. Almost a quarter of superintendents nationally have quit in the past year, Amer-
I think a lot of talented ican Association of School Administrapeople would probably tors director Dan say, ‘I’m either going to Domenech told The Hechinger Report. retire, or I’m not going Typical turnover is to look for anything around 15%. In North Texas, right now because I Hinojosa is one of 10 know what I’ve got. superintendents that have indicated they Mike Moses will resign or retire. That exodus certainly jibes with what former Texas Education Commissioner (and former Dallas ISD superintendent) Mike Moses is seeing.
Moses said that issues around masking, vaccinations, pandemic response, critical race theory, and more are causing superintendents to rethink their options.
“These are all high-stakes issues, and the job is already daunting,” he said. “Urban education is already fraught with learning challenges, financial challenges, facility challenges, labor challenges — the list goes on and on. Then you throw in all these others on top of it.
“I think a lot of talented people would probably say, ‘I’m either going to retire, or I’m not going to look for anything right now because I know what I’ve got. And if I go somewhere else, I don’t know what I’ll be facing.’”
And while there may be internal candidates within Dallas ISD that could be a good fit, Moses said they could also be in every district’s potential pool of candidates. Dallas ISD will have to compete with other districts even to keep current leadership because the pool of qualified applicants nationally is “very shallow,” he said.
“If you have someone on your staff that’s talented and you might want to promote, and you don’t, you might have to be prepared to see them go, too,” he said.
So, what does this mean? It means that, while Dallas ISD does have a lot to offer a superintendent when it comes to resources and desire to innovate, the district will still face a monumental task.
And it might not be an inexpensive prospect, either — principles of supply and demand dictate that when the supply of anything (including superintendents) is low, and the demand is high, the price goes up. Will districts get sticker shock from what they may have to offer to lure top candidates?
As the district begins the process of hiring a search firm to locate that talent pool, we’ll continue to update readers at peoplenewspapers.com.
Letter to the Editor
Editor’s note: For 30-plus years nonprofit Big Thought has offered art education, out of school programs, summer learning, juvenile justice intervention, and other efforts to equip youth in marginalized communities to imagine and create their best lives.
Thank you, Dr. H.
On behalf of the entire team at Big Thought, we want to say THANK YOU (to Superintendent Michael Hinojosa, who plans to leave Dallas ISD later this year.)
Your leadership has revolutionized the way Dallas ISD teaches our children. You have helped establish a special sense of community for our families and supported our educators with innovative solutions that have made our schools stronger.
Our team is lucky to have been part of your journey at Dallas ISD from day one. You saw the potential in our partnership and together we have provided hundreds of thousands of students with arts education and after school programs, launched Dallas City of Learning together, expanded Learning Partners, and established a comprehensive social and emotional learning (SEL) system. These innovative efforts have helped improve students’ academic and personal achievement, resulting in better performing learners, teachers, and schools. Your understanding that our students need more than what we can provide during the regular school day is an investment that Dallas will benefit from for decades to come.
Thank you for giving Big Thought the opportunity to serve hundreds of thousands of Dallas ISD students under your leadership. Your faith in our team has allowed us to help close the opportunity gap, slow the summer slide, and empower students to see themselves as creators with bright futures – no matter what part of Dallas they’re from.
We are grateful for the foundation you have built for Dallas ISD over the past 13 years and our team will continue the work we’ve started together. Your energy, vision, insights, experience, honesty, authenticity, unapologetic leadership, and belief in our students will be missed.
Keep creating great things wherever you go.
Fashion show will promote confidence, benefit Genesis Women’s Shelter
By William Taylor
william.taylor@peoplenewspapers.com
Eighty to 90 teen models will strut the catwalk this spring, sporting fashionable looks on loan from the racks at the Genesis Shop, a thrift store benefiting Genesis Women’s Shelter.
Student models went to a fitting recently at Genesis Shop. FROM LEFT: Meera Malhotra,
Maria Solis, and Millie Trumpower. (PHOTOS: JOJO MA) IF YOU GO
“I believe Genesis Women’s Shelter’s mission to assist women and children escaping family violence is more important than ever since the pandemic has resulted in worsening of domestic violence,” said Avani Haden, a junior at The Hockaday School.
She is co-chairing the fourth annual Hockaday Charity Fashion Show, which after going virtual last year, will return to an in-person format on March 27 at the Statler Hotel.
“Everyone is intrinsically valuable and beautiful, and the fashion show is a way to increase self-confidence and highlight the models’ beauty,” Haden said. “Together, we will be lifting spirits for an important cause while highlighting the joys of a life of service and charity.”
The idea behind the fashion show emerged in 2018, with then seniors Emma Roseman and Varsha Danda seeking a fun way to help the community. That first show in the spring of 2019 raised more than $2,000, and the event has grown from there.
Last year’s virtual show brought in $4,000, and organizers hope to do even better this year.
Participants are mostly, but not exclusively, Hockaday students of all grade levels, Haden said. “Some lucky St. Mark’s (School of Texas) boys will be modeling, too.”
Volunteers also assist with tasks such as styling, marketing, and social media, Haden said. “Coming from an all-girls school, I have always believed in and promoted women’s empowerment, and the fashion show is a great way to both support the shelter and have fun while raising awareness in the community and focusing on girls’ ability to make a real impact.” What: Hockaday Charity Fashion Show
When: March 27
Where: Statler Hotel
Tickets: $25
Online: Visit HockadayFashionShow. org to purchase tickets and donate to the Genesis Women’s Shelter.
Nestled in a quiet North Dallas neighborhood, Dallas Lutheran School provides a quality education in a Christ-centered environment for students in grades 7 thru 12. Opportunities await in academics, athletics, robotics, performing and visual arts.
With our low student to teacher ratio environment, Dallas Lutheran offers Advanced Placement, Honors and Dual Credit courses, and services to support students with their academic and learning needs. New academic buildings will break ground Summer 2022 with a targeted completion in Fall 2023.
Contact Katie Mayfield at katiemayfield@dallaslutheranschool.com to schedule a campus visit today.
CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: These zero-emission machines from Starship Technologies are catching SMU students’ attention with their day or night food deliveries. “These robots are so cool,” said student Carlie Lara; Junior and theatre major Crystal Tigney sang as faculty, staff, and students kicked off Dream Week at SMU with a Unity Circle ceremony, including speakers talking about the legacy of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.; SMU benefactor Gary Webber, a Silver Mustang Award Winner and former Dallas County judge and city council member, is the founder of
Weber Financial Inc.; Psychology professor Nathan Hudson researches how personality traits change. (PHOTOS: COURTESY SMU)
Feed me, robot
Are you a hungry SMU student, faculty member, or employee? These are the droids you are looking for. SMU has a new service that provides food delivery robots. Thanks to Starship Technologies, students can get food and a robot waiter with the Starship Deliveries app.
Sixteen robots capable of carrying 20 pounds will bring customers’ orders from nine locations. The robots, designed to learn, have computer-based vision navigation to get from one location to another. They can cross streets and climb curbs. Weather is no issue. The app is already available for download for anyone who is or will be hungry.
Dream Week
Though SMU students typically return to campus after Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the civil rights leader’s enduring influence is celebrated with Dream Week to open the spring semester.
Activities kicked off with a Unity Circle ceremony for students, faculty, and staff on Jan. 19 and continued with such activities as a campus screening of the film Selma and a day of service.
Getting in the zone
SMU Alumni Garry Webber has gifted $50 million to help build a three-tiered end zone complex at Gerald J. Ford Stadium. The largest gift in the history of the Athletic Department kickstarts the $100 million fundraising effort for an expansion that will support all 484 student-athletes. The teams will get new locker rooms, a weight room, position-specific meeting rooms, a team auditorium, and a full kitchen and training table. The facility will also house coaches, support staff, and video and recruiting services.
A new concourse will offer more for fans, expand facilities, improve accessibility, and add a breezeway that joins the stadium’s entryways to the internal field.
“Both SMU and Dallas have played a substantial role in my life, and I feel honored to pay it forward to the next generation of Mustang student-athletes and fans,” Weber said.
Hope = Change
SMU psychology professor Nathan Hudson has been researching what makes people change for the better and whether it can be done without us even knowing it.
“The idea of personality trait change – especially other people trying to change an individual’s personality – can sound scary. But whether we recognize it or not, society is filled with interventions designed to try to change our personality traits,” he said. “For instance, elementary school is a giant intervention designed to help children become more intelligent, yes, but also kinder and more sociable, responsible and hardworking.” His research concluded that this could possibly be done, but only in some cases. When it comes to emotional stability, it would only happen if people wanted to change. A person could focus on learning a conscientiousness-building task by repeating it consistently until it becomes internalized. – Compiled by Greg Nielsen
With Special Thanks
MEDIA SPONSORS Women’s Council of the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden
Mad Hatter’s Tea Party
Wednesday, April 20, 2022 • I2:30 until 4:00 pm Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden Benefiting
Tanya Taylor Celebrated Fashion Designer
Inaugural Presentation
“Innovators in Design Award” Featuring
Spring Fashion Presentation by Jan Strimple Productions
Hat Judging Competition Champagne Reception and Afternoon Seated Tea Dallas Pop-Up Shop Exquisite Themed Silk Scarf
Join our Mobile Online Silent Auction! Beginning April 13 through April 20, 2022 at www.wcdabg.org
Laurie Sands Harrison, Honorary Chair Claire Catrino, Chair Lisa Loy Laughlin, President Women’s Council
If you’re looking for a college education with a short commute, SMU is no longer your only option. Texas A&M University-Commerce opened a new campus near NorthPark Center in February.
The campus occupies the 19th and 20th floors of the office tower at 8750 North Central Expressway opposite NorthPark Center.
A&M-Commerce has moved its Colleges of Business and Education and Human Services headquarters to the new Dallas campus. The Colleges of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources and Humanities, Social Sciences, and Arts will also offer programs at the new site.
“It is my great pleasure to bring more A&M-quality education to Dallas,” A&M System Chancellor John Sharp said. “Here, we will educate thousands of North Texans using the assets of the Texas A&M System at an affordable price.”
The new facility features approximately 50,000 square feet of renovated space and provides tech-enabled shared spaces, an on-site fitness center, a café, and accessible parking. It also lies within a block of the Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) light rail line. A full suite of student services includes enrollment management, financial aid, career services, student success teams, academic advising, and technical support.
Dr. Mark Rudin, president of A&M-Commerce, expressed enthusiasm for the university’s new Dallas home.
“Our state-of-the-art classrooms, labs, and meeting areas will serve our students, faculty and staff well, bringing our long tradition of providing a high-quality, affordable education to students right here in Dallas,” Rudin said. “We look forward to showing DFW why people have sought higher education from A&M-Commerce since 1889.”
Vice chairman Bill Mahomes of the A&M System’s Board of Regents also addressed attendees.
“Seeing the [A&M-Commerce] sign at the top of this building makes me so proud, but it also makes me hopeful. Hopeful that the hundreds of thousands of people who drive past it every day may see it as a beacon for a better future for generations to come,” Mahomes said. “I hope it also sends a signal that we believe high-quality, affordable higher education should be within the reach of anyone who is motivated to seek it.”
State Sen. Royce West, District 23, also emphasized the importance of making
Texas A&M-Commerce senior Hannah Escobedo spoke during the Feb. 2 ribboncutting ceremony at the university’s new
campus near NorthPark Center. (PHOTO: COURTESY
TAMU-COMMERCE. SCREENGRAB: BETHANY ERICKSON)
quality and affordable education available to all students.
And Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson welcomed a new higher-education partner to the city.
“What we’re celebrating today is that a great city and a great and well-established university are coming together, and I know that today marks the beginning of an amazing partnership that will grow and last for years to come,” Johnson said.
A&M System guests included Board of Regents members Bob Albritton, Randy Brooks and Michael J. Plank; vice chancellors Phillip Ray and Joe Elabd; and assistant vice chancellor Matt Parson. – Staff report
