United to Learn continues to make significant strides in supporting Dallas ISD schools, educators, and students through strategic partnerships and targeted programs.

A Vision for All Students

At a recent United to Learn event, Dallas ISD Superintendent Dr. Stephanie Elizalde shared her passionate vision for education in Dallas, emphasizing the District’s commitment to serving all students regardless of background or circumstance.

“Dallas is the Statue of Liberty. We take and we embrace everyone,” Dr. Elizalde remarked. “There is a place for each of the different types of schools that exist in our community. But the special place for Dallas ISD is that we are about all in all paths. We will never apologize for our statistics being what they are because we take them all. We lift them all.”

Reframing Our Language: “Under-Championed” Students

Dr. Elizalde introduced a powerful shift in terminology during her address, calling on attendees to eliminate “Title One” from their vocabulary when describing students. Instead, she proposed a more empowering alternative:

“Children are not Title One. They’re under-championed. Let’s replace [that label] because words matter. Let’s replace what the state and the federal government label us. What we do is we serve under-championed students… Because with your help they are champions.”

This reframing highlights the district’s belief in the potential of every student while acknowledging the additional support some may need to achieve their full potential – support that United to Learn helps provide.

Three Key Areas of Impact

Dr. Elizalde highlighted three critical areas where United to Learn’s partnership is making a difference:

1. Personalized Literacy Support

United to Learn provides targeted literacy tutoring to students who need it most, helping close opportunity gaps through one-on-one and small group instruction while closely monitoring student progress.

2. Educator Support and Wellness

The organization strengthens Dallas ISD’s educator workforce by offering specialized training focused on wellness practices that improve school culture and climate. This support is particularly impactful in priority and strategic support schools, creating a more resilient and motivated teaching force.

3. Future Educator Pipeline

United to Learn is building a pipeline of future educators by training high school and college students to tutor in elementary classrooms. These emerging leaders gain valuable classroom experience while developing an appreciation for service and education careers.

A Partnership That Transforms

Dr. Elizalde emphasized that the district’s recent success in educator retention – the highest rate in 15 years – is directly connected to partnerships like United to Learn. She noted that while all educators face stress, organizations like United to Learn help prevent burnout by providing aligned, targeted support.

“Sometimes we have people who want to partner with us. But if their alignment is not in our alignment, if their belief is not in our belief system, then I very nicely have to say thank you and no,” Dr. Elizalde explained. “This organization not only is aligned [with our goals], but you’re talking about a leader who came to our meeting when I was rolling out Amplify curriculum and said, ‘I want to sit with you in this training.’ What other organizational leaders lead by example themselves?” Dr. Elizalde asked rhetorically, referring to United to Learn’s founder and CEO, Abby Williams, for whom she had expressed heartfelt gratitude at the beginning of her remarks.

The Coffee Bean Effect

Dr. Elizalde closed with a metaphor that perfectly captures the impact of United to Learn’s work. When facing the boiling water of stress, she asked, do we become like an egg that hardens, a carrot that softens to mush, or a coffee bean that transforms its environment for the better?

“United to Learn, ladies and gentlemen, is Dallas ISD’s coffee bean,” she concluded.

United to Learn continues to partner with Dallas ISD to support under-championed students, empower educators, and build a brighter future for Dallas. To learn more about how you can get involved, visit our Get Involved page