On September 29^th, the Honorable Judge Joseph Miller, the Truancy Court Magistrate for Dallas County, presented the Learning Counsel and all area school districts a proclamation for “Digital Equity Day.” On behalf of the Commissioners Court of the County of Dallas, Miller honored the educators for their united and dedicated work to bridge the equity gap and help all students ready themselves for a 21^st-century workforce.

Miller, himself a former teacher in Dallas, stated, “Our Dallas area schools are doing amazing work to reach our youth where they are in this digitally connected age. Teaching is obviously so much more than the devices, but ensuring equity for all lets everyone have a fair chance at great learning. Thank you to all of you and all area schools and teachers for what you are doing every single day for our children. And thank you to the Learning Counsel for their events and what they are doing to help districts make the digital transition. You are all being recognized in a small way today.”

The presentation of the recognition came during the Digital Curriculum Tactics Discussion at the Region 10 Education Service Center in Richardson, TX.  The Region 10 ESC Serves the school districts and charter schools in the northeast Texas area with professional development and services designed to improve student achievement and school district efficiency.

In attendance were 86 educational executives, including representatives from virtually all area school districts: Dallas ISD, Garland ISD, Duncanville ISD, Plano ISD, Keller ISD, Kennedale ISD, Grand Prairie ISD, Richardson ISD, Midlothian ISD, Wichita Falls ISD, Houston ISD, Region 10 ESC, Maypearl ISD, University of North Texas, Mesquite ISD, the Good Shepherd Episcopal School and St. Mark’s School of Texas.

“It was an honor to collaborate with all these dedicated Dallas area schools and districts,” stated Dr. David Kafitz of the Learning Counsel. “The sharing of information about what each organization is doing to bring equity and utilize the digital transformation we are in, to better learning outcomes, fills me with pride that we are making effective advances. To receive the proclamation today, as part of this group, from the County of Dallas, is a wonderful acknowledgement of the dedicated work of everyone involved.”

Pictured L-R: Kimberly Lane, Blended Learning Specialist, Lancaster ISD; Tom Yarbrough, Huawei; Dr. Rickey Williams, Deputy Executive Director of Region 10 ESC; Dr. David Kafitz, Learning Counsel; The Honorable Joseph Miller of the Dallas County Commissioner’s Court; Craig Gray, Director of Digital Learning and Resources of Region 10 ESC

The day ended with a leadership panel where equity for all, as stated in the County’s proclamation, was a central theme. Craig Gray, the Director of Digital Learning and Resources for Region 10 ESC, pointed out that one of the biggest challenges educators face is the built-in system they work in. “As long as people are focused on test scores they are reluctant to do something different,” he stated. “Furthermore, the future world of work is going to be something entirely different than we know today. Students must have the ability to learn anytime, anywhere. Not only to learn today, but because those are skills they will need when on the job—to adapt, think critically, learn something new and shift.”