Dallas ISD almost fully staffed but still hiring days before first day of school

DALLAS — At Dallas ISD 's Hillcrest High School, Arthur Valle was preparing for his first "first day of school" as a brand new teacher. He said he had "first-day jitters" but was excited to meet a new set of kids when classes begin on Monday.

His first assignment? Making sure he connects with all of his students.

"It can't just be the material. It's the people that teach it," said Valle.

Valle is among the new teachers hired by DISD, which is starting the new school year almost fully staffed, but was still hiring at a job fair on Thursday.

Tionia Richardson, DISD's director of recruitment, said fewer than 100 classroom teacher positions were left to fill. With more than 10,000 teachers in the school district, that's considered a success.

Richardson was once a teacher with 15 job offers. She said that's the kind of sought-after applicant that the district is pursuing: one with options, but is choosing DISD. Then the goal is to support them, so they'll stay.

"Having those teachers be there for a period of time, they kind of understand the dynamics of the community in which they serve," Richardson said. "So, yes, is definitely better for us as a district as a whole, but more importantly for that school campus and to impact that child."

Richardson said DISD Superintendent Stephanie Elizalde has made listening to teachers, soliciting their feedback and then addressing their concerns a priority.

Valle, who will teach algebra, said a former teacher made him consider education as a career. He found DISD at a job fair.

As Valle taped materials to the wall and planned a classroom culture built around collaboration, he said he was looking forward to growing and learning as a teacher, right along with his students.

"I can pour that into my students, 'hey, look, I'm learning. You're learning and we're both killing it,'" he said.