Bryan Adams High School teacher wins national award

Almost everyone has a favorite teacher or one who made a difference in our lives by believing in us or setting us on the right path. For dozens of Bryan Adams High School students, that teacher is Joan McCoo.

McCoo, a veteran entrepreneurship teacher who was recently promoted to early college coordinator, was recognized last month by the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship with the Steven J. Mariotti Teacher Award. She received a $15,000 cash prize for herself and an additional $5,000 cash award for the school. 

District 3 and Bryan Adams High School are fortunate to have a teacher like Joan McCoo who has inspired so many students to succeed in school and, perhaps one day, become entrepreneurs. A heartfelt congratulations and a thank you go to this outstanding educator from all of us in Dallas ISD. 

It is thanks to excellent teachers and administrators, committed parents and engaged students that Dallas ISD continues to rise in the ratings handed out by the Texas Education Agency every fall. Dallas ISD received a B grade again this year, based on 86 points—an increase from last year’s 81.

District 3 also did well with individual school grades, which are based on the TEA ratings and local accountability standards. Jack Lowe Sr. and Martha Turner Reilley elementary schools both got As, and another 11 schools in our district received a B grade. I have no doubt that with hard work and support, the rest of the schools in District 3 will achieve higher grades next year.  

A key to success is students being in class every day, so Dallas ISD stressed the importance of attendance and its link to academic achievement during national Attendance Awareness Month in September. Attendance Awareness Month provides the district with an opportunity to raise student and community awareness on the importance of school attendance and demonstrates that attendance is a top priority.