Students in the Dallas Independent School District still get to enjoy a few more weeks of summer. But it was back to work Tuesday for more than 1,000 new teachers.
This week, they're taking part in a "New Teacher Academy" that's meant to introduce them to the district and give them a confidence boost heading into the first day of school.
"My emotions are a little bit all over," said Shemia Evans, who will be teaching third grade social studies and science. "This is a career change for me. My background has been in event planning for quite some time, for associations and corporations, but I wanted something more rewarding."
Dallas ISD leaders told the new teachers they're coming into the district at a time when a lot of good things are happening.
Over the past five years, they've increased high school graduation rates from 80 percent to 88 percent. Since 2015, the number of Dallas ISD schools on the state's "Improvement Required" list has been cut roughly in half.
Superintendent Dr. Michael Hinojosa encouraged the teachers to bring enthusiasm into their classrooms daily so they can keep that momentum building.
The new teachers say they're eager to meet that challenge.
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"I have that motherly instinct," said Stephanie Galvin, who will be teaching bilingual pre-K. "I feel like I can guide these children. I feel like I can have positive impact."
Dallas ISD students return to school Aug. 28.
