491 Retirees To Be Honored at May 23 Event

17 May 2002

Area Superintendent Frederick Todd To Retire After 46 Years of Service

DALLAS–A reception and dinner to thank 491 retiring Dallas Independent School District employees will be held at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, May 23.

With 491 employees retiring, this is a record number of retirees for the district. The combined service for this year's retirees totals 12,090 years. This includes 18 employees who have worked for the district for at least 40 years. Among the retirees are 254 teachers, nine assistant principals and 17 principals.

"There is no nobler cause than public education," said General Superintendent Mike Moses. "These employees have dedicated their entire lives to the education of the Dallas Independent School District's students. They are the backbone of the DISD, and we want to thank them from the bottom of our hearts for their dedication and years of service."

Retiring after 46 years, Skyline High School teacher Dortha Anita Jordan and Area 5 Superintendent Frederick Todd will be honored for this year's district longest service record at the recognition event that is scheduled at the Wyndham Anatole Hotel. The hotel is located at 2201 Stemmons Freeway.

Jordan has taught English at Skyline for the past 29 years. She's well known at Skyline for her love of American literature, world travel and teaching.

"Ms. Jordan was known to students and staff as a tough teacher with a passion for teaching English," said Claudia Rodriguez, principal at Skyline.

Todd's more than four decades of service to DISD students includes having been a classroom teacher and principal at six different schools. Among the many awards and honors that he has received are Man of the Year in 2000 from the South Dallas Business and Professional Women's Club Inc.; the National Alliance of Black School Educators Presidential Award in 2001; and the Whitney Young Award For Community Service in 2002. The Area 5 Dr. Frederick Todd Chess Tournament for students was named in his honor. The event highlights the academic benefits of chess and provides the students with an opportunity to earn scholarships.

List of employees who have worked for the district for at least 40 years