1 Dallas ISD interview panels — After caregiving for my parents, I started doing volunteer work at the neighborhood Dallas ISD elementary school I attended growing up. Recently, I was invited to be a community member on an interview panel for the new elementary school principal.
I have been impressed not only with all the candidates for principal, but also with the Dallas ISD panel members of teachers, staff and the leadership search team.
The candidates are smart and engaging, with multiple advanced degrees, years of classroom teaching and time as assistant principals. Both candidates and panelists are dedicated and focused professionals with decades of educational experience, consistently showing how much they care about every student learning and growing.
Most are bilingual. They understand how to look at test-result metrics and use them to create plans to bolster the school. They discuss how to involve parents, how to deal with students of all needs, how to make sure the teachers and staff have the necessary training.
Opinion
No one likes to pay property taxes, however these educators make me know my money is well spent. I am proud that we are trusting these talented and dedicated Texans with our children — the future.
Carol Clark, Dallas
2 Driver’s license renewal process — As my driver’s license renewal date approached, I felt anxious about long lines at the Texas Department of Public Safety facility outside in the hot sun. Fortunately, my experience was quite the opposite. Our Texas state government has gotten its act together and significantly improved its system, making the process smooth and efficient.
I visited a user-friendly website to find locations and discovered that my first choice in Plano was fully booked for five months. OK. My next option, the Garland Super Center, 20 minutes away, had an open appointment the following week.
Upon arrival, I found a clean, uncrowded facility. Circulating staff were available to assist newcomers, and one helped me obtain my “number-chit,” indicating my call number and assigned cubicle.
I comfortably waited in front of a screen displaying the numbers being called. After just eight minutes, my number appeared, and within 15 minutes, I completed the details for my license.
Overall, it was an easy-peasy experience. Well done, Texas.
Bob Crawford, Richardson
3 Newspaper carriers — Many of us are usually focused on applauding or raging at the reporters who write the news or opinion pieces. Here’s a shout-out to the folks who deliver the paper, that is, the paper paper.
Despite the rain, my papers are all safe in plastic sleeves. It wasn’t all that long ago that rainy days meant unfolding the wet paper and spreading it out to dry.
So, thank you to all the paper people who not only get up early but deliver their precious bundles nice and dry. We do notice.
Merrie Spaeth, Plano