Music that Describes Lisa
Lisa Lovato was nominated by her colleague, Marissa Limon.
Ms. Lovato is a recognized Master Principal whose passion and drive has transformed her school into a premier campus drawing attention from across the nation due to the successful implementation of personalized learning. She began her first principalship at Dan D. Rogers eight years ago and immediately began changing the culture of the school to empower students and teachers. After implementing data-driven instructional practices that resulted in drastic increases in student achievement, Ms. Lovato and her team began seeking more innovative ways to support students through their challenges. When Dallas ISD received a $2.5 million grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to implement Personalized Learning in schools, Ms. Lovato immediately jumped on the opportunity to learn how to tailor instruction to meet the individual needs of each student. From a field of over 30 Dallas ISD schools that originally applied to participate, Rogers was the only school who reached the final application phase and was unanimously chosen to receive full-funding. Five years later, Rogers is an A-rated campus sought out as a mentor-campus by hundreds of schools across the country.
The success of the campus can be attributed to Ms. Lovato's relentless pursuit of excellence. She practices transparency in her decision making and models a growth mindset by sharing her own experiences in overcoming struggles with all stakeholders. She has a keen ability to connect with individuals and to motivate them to push themselves. Known for building capacity in staff, she is often heard challenging people to reflect on their practices with urgency using her famous tagline, "Is that what's best for kids?"
Ms. Lovato knows the name of every student on campus and most of their family stories. She has pulled together resources from countless places to fill a need where she sees it. Her passion can be felt as soon as you step foot on her campus.
In addition to leading an awesome campus, Ms. Lovato is a mentor and coach to school leaders across the district. She facilitates principal professional development for the district and collaborates with organizations to build leadership capacity among administrators around the country. She continually works on building her own skills by seeking opportunities to learn with other school leaders through conferences, collaborative groups and educational programs.
"Ms. Lovato is a LifeChanger who has impacted thousands of lives through her commitment to outcomes for students. She exemplifies leadership in every way possible and is beyond deserving of this recognition," said Limon.
Lisa Lovato inspires everyone at Rogers(staff students, and parents) to push themselves to be the best they can be. Her impact has reached beyond our school, as she helps to support and inspire other educational leaders within and outside our district. She is truly a Life Changer!
I’ve been at Rogers six years and am blessed to have been under the leadership of Ms. Lovato my entire professional career. To see what she has done in the last six years to transform our school, grow our students, and her staff has been incredible. At just 21 years old, she saw a leader in me when I had never seen one in myself. She pushes you to always be the best you can be and to always have a growth mind set. Although it is not always easy, I can definitely say I am so grateful to have her as my leader and mentor and to be apart of such an amazing school!
This being my fourth year at Rogers, I have not seen firsthand all that Ms. Lovato has done for the school. However, I have seen enough to realize that she puts our school before herself often and is always willing to do "what is best for kids" while still taking care of her staff!
Since Ms. Lovato has taken over Dan D Rogers, we have had many amazing opportunities and privileges bestowed upon us due to her hard work and dedication, such opportunities include: a renewed futuristic library, science lab and auditorium; multi-million dollar technology grant; a Real School garden, creating an outdoor classroom and place for our students to connect with nature; 100 new trees, a new playground and walking track; the ability to go and learn from conferences; and hosting schools from around the nation (elementary to college level) to showcase our growth and our ability to incorporate innovative practices. All of these opportunities are due to the training Ms. Lovato seeks out and provides to build teacher capacity and propel student growth consistently ranking Rogers above the district average and making us a quality Choice School here in Dallas ISD!
That is just the beginning! Ms. Lovato has a way of making teachers want to be better, to provide more authentic learning for our students all while providing a stimulating and enriching environment for her staff. One of my favorite opportunities that she gives us is autonomy to reach our students in various ways. She supports teacher ideas for student growth and Personalized Learning opportunities. Here, at Dan D Rogers, our goal is to teach to the whole child, not just the test taking aspect. While we recognize that passing tests is an important piece to the puzzle of a student’s schooling, it is not the big picture. We want our students to become lifelong learners who strive for excellence!
Ms. Lovato encourages us to share our ideas and make things “our own” in everything from teacher trainings to weight loss programs to student programs. Ms. Lovato saw the potential in one of her 4th grade teacher’s idea for a wax museum performance night where the students research a person alive or dead that has had a great impact on the world and makes a presentation, including a speech, costume and props. Each student picks someone who they may, or may not have, known much about previously such as Leonardo Da Vinci and Amelia Earhart, or maybe a spy who carried documents in her false leg. The possibilities are endless! These are the kinds of ideas we are allowed to work on because Ms. Lovato sees what we have to offer as individuals and she pushes us to capitalize on said ideas to create a positive work environment as well as a school that excels. Our school has also become a shining example for Social Emotional Learning, where we teach the children and staff to recognize and control their behavior and center themselves when outside influences take over. Ms. Lovato also makes sure we maintain a program with community support to feed our needy children with snacks over the weekends, and she opens our school on long breaks to feed our students lunch at no cost to the parents. It is such dedication which Ms. Lovato fosters that makes numerous parents drive their children to our school from miles away after they have moved to other areas.
My favorite way she takes care of her staff would be that she recognizes our drive and how we go above and beyond for our kids and she pushes us to apply for various graduate level courses, leadership courses, the Distinguished Teacher Review and Teacher of the Year and so on. Thirteen out of only thirty six teachers are currently DTR and nine teachers are currently eligible to apply in part due to her leadership and her investment in each of us.
I can say, without the shadow of a doubt, that I nor our school would be in the position we are in if it were not for Ms. Lovato, she has continuously pushed me and my coworkers to better ourselves both personally and professionally.
It has not always been easy but it has always been for the betterment of our school and students.
I love Mrs. Lovato because she always sees beyond all possibilities, she is always looking for alternatives for the improvement of both the students and her staff, she is very dedicated and hardworking and it is impressive to see how she knows all the children by name and identifies their families as well.
Honestly, the school is not the same since she has take charge as a leader, always having a vision and mission for all to fulfill.
Ms. Lovato works tenaciously to provide for her students, staff, and community surrounding Dan D. Rogers. She has transformed the school into an A-rated campus that serves as a model for other schools across the country. She pushes everyone around her to become the best student, best educator, or best person they can be. Her impact on the world around us boundless; Ms. Lovato is truly a life-changer!
I have worked with Ms. Lovato for four years and it has been an honer and pleasure working with her. She is honest and has integrity with strong moral principles. She is always inspiring others to do their very best. She is commitment and has a passion for education. She is a good communicator with teachers, parents, students and as well as the community. Ms. Lovato has the empowerment to be a life changer to Dan D. Rogers with her creativity and innovation.
I started teaching at Dan D. Rogers before Ms. Lovato became a principal. I have seen first hand the great positive impact Ms. Lovato has had on our campus, teachers, students, parents, and the community. She has tailored her efforts to bring all stakeholders together to better serve our students. And you feel it in the air when you step inside our school. The kids are smiling and feel accomplished. The teachers want to elevate their game to new levels to bring about the potential that is stored in our beloved students. She is truly a campus/life changer!
Ms .Lovato has made our school a place where students, parents, and staff grow to be their best. Ms. Lovato's leadership inspires me to be a better teacher each day.
I am a 4th grade teacher at Dan D. Rogers Elementary School in Dallas ISD. I have served in education for six years and have been in Dallas ISD for three years. I have taught in both traditional public and charter schools from grades 3-8 and served in both low-income and mixed income communities. It’s safe to say I’ve had a lot of different experiences in education and had many potential employers but there was one that offered something none could: An innovative, personalized learning platform with one of the best leaders I've had the pleasure of working with, Principal Lovato.
Principal Lovato has transformed Dan D. Rogers from your average neighborhood school to a choice school where parents jump at the chance to enroll their children. As beneficiaries of a Real School Garden, a new playground, cutting edge technology, and innovative renovations like our "Continuous Learning Lab", Principal Lovato has built a school with a legacy: Dan D. Rogers Elementary is Dallas ISD's flagship Personalized Learning School.
In my short time with Principal Lovato, I have grown more than in the past two years of employment at other campuses. I am pushed daily to be my best and as byproduct, kids are challenged to be their best. Principal Lovato actively mentors her teachers to be come leaders in the school, the district, and the community. She trains aspiring principals to be the best they can be at their craft, partners with Harvard University to improve her own craft, and constantly finds new ways to grow. With her guidance and leadership, our school has received an A rating -- One of the most prestigious ratings a school can receive statewide.
In conclusion, not only does Principal Lovato change adults' lives, but she changes students' lives with her vision. A vision of a data-driven school that meets each child at their level and teaches the whole child. A vision of a community that builds children up, regardless of their background and status. A vision of a movement, one that wants to end what is considered average and start what is exceptional.
I have been working for Ms. Lovato for over 6 years now. She hired me at 19 years old as a teacher assistant and motivated me to get my college degree. I am now in my own classroom and she is a big reason behind it! She is a true life changer!
Principal Lovato is an outstanding leader. Her commitment to the Rogers community is demonstrated every single day. I am happy to work under her leadership as she serves as an example for others.
Thank you for allowing me to grow as an educator. I have learned so many new skills and improved my teaching practice. You are truly a life changer to all the students and staff at Dan D Rogers.
Thank you for allowing me to grow as an educator. I have learned so many new skills and improved my teaching practice. You are truly a life changer to all the students and staff at Dan D Rogers.
Ms. Lovato is a true leader of change! My son loves her school and her teachers are always so positive and smiling! We are blessed she cares so deeply about the student as a whole not just passing tests!
Ms. Lovato is an absolutely a life changer. She strives to help all of her staff members and TA'S to do their very best. She has great leadership and an interest in our students to be successful.
Ms. Lovato has pushed me to be a better teacher. She is encouraging and will take the time to listen when it is needed. She knows each of the students and will greet them when she sees them on a daily basis. She is very supportive of each of our students and wants the very best for them. She is definitely attuned to the needs of all our students and always does what is best for our students and our campus to help us continue to grow.
She has really helped me to push myself to be better each year and never settle for less..... I always feel like I'm learning new things that helps me become better to handle our students needs
Ms. Lovato is truly a LifeChanger. Not only is she a life changer to the students of Dan D. Rogers Elementary but she is also a life changer to those that work under her supervision. She strives to pull out the best in all those that work for her so we can in turn give the best to our students. It is an honor, pleasure, and a true blessing to work under her leadership.
Ms. Lovato is changing lives on a daily basis. She connects with every student and family at our campus. Dan D Rogers is producing life long learners and thats because of the deposits Lovato is putting into our students. You often see Lovato asking students what they are learning and taking an interest in their lives. Our campus is teaching world leaders and this is all possible because of Ms Lovato's support. I'm blessed to have a principal that's making the world a better place!!!
I have worked with Ms. Lovato for almost 7 years now and I have truly seen what great leadership is. I started as a 5th grade teacher in 2012 right after graduation and I was encouraged by her to develop my own capacity as both an educator and a leader. I have been provided opportunities to help turn around our school through a grant for personalized learning, receive a Masters in Educational Leadership and become an instructional coach in three years. I have become a better educator, leader and person because of her. Not only does she impact educators on our campus, she is so passionate about the work she does and always does what is best for kids. She is definitely a life changer!
Ms. Lovato is truly a life changer to every student that passes through the doors at Rogers Elementary! It is an honor and a pleasure to work under her direction and leadership. She pushes and encourages rack of us to be our best self!
Ms. Lovato is an awesome campus leader and mentor for new principals. She is a model example of exemplary leadership in Dallas ISD.
I am eager to voice my support for Ms. Lovato!
Lisa and her team at Rogers Elementary hosted a conference of a statewide blended learning program in December of 2018. As a frequent example of what is possible through a high quality implementation of blended learning, the impact of Ms. Lovato and her team impact reaches far beyond the walls of Rogers and across the state of Texas.
Lisa is absolutely a life changer!!
We are so proud of you Ms. Lovato and truly proud to have our church associated with your school! You have done SO much for the students and staff there and deserve the credit!!
