13 May 2009
Administrator Seen as Dynamic Force on Campus
DALLAS—Dayanna Carson, associate principal at Cesar Chavez Learning Center, was named the 2009 Associate Principal of the Year during a ceremony today at City Place.
Superintendent of Schools Michael Hinojosa presented the award along with David Bynum, president of the Dallas School Administrators Association, who presented Carson with a $1,000 check.
Carson has been an associate principal at Cesar Chavez since January 2008, and an educator for nearly 10 years.
Carson is known on her campus as a dynamic leader who brings fresh ideas to life. One example of her leadership abilities is her development of the Flight Plan, a one page version of the campus improvement plan which makes the campus goal focus extremely clear. An integral part of the Flight Plan is the Flight Club, a comprehensive plan for aiding students who have high potential but low motivation.
"Throughout the past 10 years of molding and developing students, I have found my voice by being a servant leader," said Carson. "My passion is educating others to achieve their highest good. This is my daily purpose, this is my daily goal."
Carson is seen as a natural-born manager who is able to handle difficult situations, multi-task and maintain her composure all at the same time without slowing down. School staff credit her for being an effective time manager who realizes the importance of time to teachers, starting and ending meetings on time and ensuring that meetings are not just for the sake of having a meeting but that there is a specific agenda and objective.
"Through the effective utilization of teacher expertise, student talent, instructional time, professional development and innovative methodologies, we have created a culture of a shared vision with the common goal of student success on our campus," said Carson. "As the associate principal, I invite our staff to be creative in their problem solving endeavors. As daily practitioners in the field of education, we must rise to meet the challenges and overcome any barriers to educating our students effectively."
Seen as a change agent at Cesar Chavez, Carson has played a major role in the development of the Lights of the Round Table, a symbolic presentation which recognizes individuals called to duty, and the significance of what that person can do. She has organized several programs to identify and encourage at-risk students in creative ways including organizing a mentor/mentee program and a Commended Computer Club.
"If education is the cornerstone of our society, then administrators are the architects responsible for building a solid foundation for student success," said Carson.
Carson is currently working on a Doctoral Degree in Education at the University of North Texas. She has a Master of Science and a Bachelor of Science from Jackson State University.
"We believe that every student must be educated in a safe, welcoming, effective and innovative learning environment," is the fourth core belief adopted by the Board of Trustees.
For a complete list of core beliefs, visit the Web site at http://www.dallasisd.org/about/vision.htm.