Eric Hale
Position: First Grade Self-Contained Teacher
School: David G. Burnet Elementary School
School District: Dallas ISD
City, State: Dallas , TX
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Eric Hale was nominated by his colleague, Shareefah Mason.
Mr. Hale is the epitome of an educator! He is the first teacher on campus and the last to leave. He has educated urban, impoverished students for more than a decade in Dallas Independent School District.
Mr. Hale is originally from Phoenix, Arizona. His upbringing was really tough; he lived in crime-ridden environments, dealt with challenges in his family, and had to navigate gang activity surrounding him. Eventually, his devoted grandmother and great aunt stepped in and raised him. They stressed the importance of education, and Mr. Hale began to soar.
After high school, he attended a local Arizona community college, where an advisor took him under her wing. She saw his promise and helped him to get into college. He had to transfer colleges and graduated from Wright State University, and he has also obtained a Masters degree in Educational Leadership from Texas A&M.
When Mr. Hale became a teacher in Dallas ISD, he realized that all of life’s bumps and bruises had prepared him to be an exceptional educator. He understood the importance of providing second chances to his students, as he had received many. He believed in making his classroom engaging because he knew it would make the students interested in learning. Most importantly, he knew the significance of building lasting relationships with his students. Mr. Hale sees himself in his students, each and every day. As an African-American male teaching at a predominantly Hispanic school, he has navigated and removed the language and cultural barriers that stifle many educators. He has learned to communicate with his students and embrace what makes them unique.
Mr. Hale has seen extraordinary academic success with his students. He has been identified as one of Dallas ISD's highest performing teachers, and he was bestowed with the honor of Distinguished Teacher, a tremendous feat in a district of more than 10,000 educators. He is also an advocate for his students outside of the classroom. In 2019, he traveled to Austin multiple times to speak to state legislators about the passage of House Bill V to ensure the development and maintenance of programs that will develop better teachers.
As a Teach Plus Fellow, Mr. Hale used his voice to discuss the necessity of addressing Race and Equity in the Dallas metropolis. He provided recommendations to Dallas ISD Superintendent Dr. Michael Hinojosa regarding strategic techniques that would change the face of race and equity throughout the more than 200 schools in the district.
"Eric Hale is a LifeChanger because he changed his life so that he would be in a position to serve his students," said Mason. "Eric is not only a devoted educator, but a husband and father. He is passionate about education because he knows it is what gave him and his wife the opportunity to build a better life for their daughters. He knows every child deserves that opportunity, as well!"
EVERYBODY NEEDS A TEACHER LIKE YOU. HANG IN IN THERE MR HALE!
Mr.Hale,
I just watched you on Kelly. I have to say, I am very proud of you for taking your classroom to the next level. I wish that the world had more teachers that took chances to shine on the generations to come as you do! The impact that you make will be that everlasting example to those lives that you grace!
Thank you for what you do!
Don
Mr Hale taught my grandson when he was in kindergarten and I can honestly my grandson couldn't have had a better teacher. Mr Hale has a way of teaching that any child could learn from and become a 4.0 student. The children in the area he teaches in are blessed to have a teacher such as Mr Hale who is not only a good teacher but a positive mentor. He is definitely a Life Changer.
Eric Hale was just selected to receive the 2019 Annual Queen Smith Award for Commitment to Urban Public Education from the Council of the Great City Schools and McGraw-Hill Education. The Council of the Great City Schools (CGCS) and McGraw-Hill Education present this award each year to an inner-city Teacher who represents the honor, excellence, and commitment to urban public education. As the winner of the Queen Smith Award, he is considered the Urban Public School educator of the year in America.
Eric is the lead teacher on the first-grade general education team. He is directly responsible for creating exciting lessons and conducting in-person classes for first graders in the areas of Reading and Math. In my years of experience in education, Eric’s knowledge, passion, and dedication to the pursuit of excellence in education are unparalleled. He seems to be a walking encyclopedia of knowledge when it comes to academics and he loves to share his knowledge with anyone who will listen. Furthermore, he volunteered to be the trainer who would travel to elementary campuses to discuss the importance of connecting Social-Emotional skills to academic achievement. I don’t know of anyone else more deserving of this award than Eric.
Although I have not known Mr. Hale for a long time, I can say that in the little time we have been acquainted, I know him to be a dedicated teacher to his students. I am a Site Coordinator for a Dallas non-profit literacy program that has a partnership at the school Mr. Hale teaches, and I work with most of his students. I can tell he cares deeply about his students and always has their best interests in mind. Mr. Hale teaches in a way that is both admirable and inspiring. He is truly deserving of this award as a life changer because that is what he is doing in his classroom, changing lives in a positive way!
Words can not describe the dedication, commitment and perserverance demonstrated by Eric in his career as an educator. As a family friend, for over 10 years, I witnessed Eric walk away from a comfortable salary in the Healthcare industry to pursue his purpose in Education. His unique ability to empower and equip underpriviledged, under served students, as well as inspire fellow educators, is unmatched and has earned him several honors and distinguished awards in his field.
His wife and 2 girls maintain the prized first position in his heart, and with their love and support he has been able to offer his classroom a piece of his heart that allows him to nurture his students with the utmost concern and passion. He leads his students by example by always maintaining a can do attitude and striving for excellence.
Recognition, degrees and awards aside, Eric has long been a life changer and it is with great enthusiasm that I recommend him for Life Changer of the Year.
Congratulations brother, you deserve to reap every good seed you have sown.
From where you started to where your hard work and dedication has taken the circumstances that would have consumed mostly all who would have encountered such. A true LifeChanger Mr. Hale so proud of you!
Dynamic educator and impactful role model, Eric Hale is nothing shy of educational excellence! Over the past few years it has been a pleasure getting to know Eric Hale, watching his progress in his career as a teacher has been an inspirational honor. Eric brings a 'passionate flare' to his classroom. Mr. Hale's energy and ambitious spirit is contagious! Eric has a way of engaging and connecting with people, rather it's via a morning dance ritual that his students enjoy gearing them up for educational absorption. Or by being that political voice that takes a stand for change and improvement by speaking with legislation and state representatives. Eric Hale is the vessel for changing lives, it is with great privilege to recommend him for this honor.
I am writing to recommend Mr. Eric Hale for the 2019 Life Changer of the Year Award. I am The Texas Policy Manager for Teach Plus Texas and I manage the DFW Policy Fellowship. Eric was a 2018-2019 Teach Plus Policy Fellow. He was chosen by Teach Plus for this highly-selective teacher leadership role focused on policy advocacy because of his effective performance in the classroom and his record of engagement outside of the classroom. As a Teaching Policy Fellow, Eric spent the last year studying education policy and serving as a dedicated advocate on issues that impacted his students and has done an exemplary job in the role.
As a Teaching Policy Fellow, Eric was one of the most outstanding members of his cohort. He went above and beyond expectations as an advocate for low-income students and children of color. For example, Eric used his policy and advocacy skills to:
• Advocate for the successful passage of a tax ratification election to provide an additional $120 million for strategic investments in students and teachers in Dallas ISD. Eric was instrumental in providing teacher voice by testifying in front of the Dallas ISD school board and authoring A Dallas ISD Distinguished Teacher on Supporting Prop C, the Tax Ratification Election which was featured in D Magazine’s Frontburner column.
• Testified in front of the House Appropriations Subcommittee at the State Capital in Austin in favor of successful passage of HB3. His testimony provided legislators authentic teacher voice and student perspectives on the value of the Effective Educator Allotment and the K-3 Grade Reading Allotment. Both components were included as part of the historic HB3 which invests $6.5 billion in Texas schools.
• Provided his voice and insight on school finance reform on the InvestEdTX podcast The Twisted Saga of Texas School Finance Reform, Classroom Royalty - A Conversation with Eric Hale. His episode was the most listened to episode of the series.
Eric is engaged, dedicated, and passionate about making a difference for the students who need him most. I could not recommend him more highly.
Mr. Hale participated in Dallas Teachers Speak, a project that my organization, 29 Pieces, led in Dallas, with the help of collaborators at University of North Texas Dallas, and Ashoka International. Mr. Hale exudes enthusiasm for his profession and for his students. The nomination letter and other comments document his talent as an educator. In my observation, Mr. Hale also takes opportunities to uplift the spirits of other educators, and helps them take even greater pride in their life's work. Because of his ability to grasp and communicate the deep importance of the gifts our great teachers bring to the community, he raises the self esteem and dedication of all who work alongside him.
I've had the good fortune of having Mr. Hale on the Board of Directors of my nonprofit organization - Youth Going Above & Beyond. He truly lives our mission to empower the next generation of leaders. It's been an honor to learn from him and observe him reach beyond the classroom to teach his students. His work ethic is impeccable as he's always looking for ways to bring innovative practices into his classroom that inspire his students to reach higher! I personally appreciate his drive to expose his students to the many possibilities awaiting them. There is no doubt that the world needs more teachers like him, which is why I believe he deserves the incredible honor of being LifeChanger of the Year.
Eric is the definition of a life-changer. He is completely dedicated to his students and families - and he goes above and beyond advocating for students across the state. He is a tremendous leader.
As a fellow educator, you understand the preparation and dedication it takes to complete a school year successfully. However, it takes an exceptional teacher to reflect and constantly challenge themselves to be the best for their scholars. Amongst the ever changing obstacles that are presented, Eric not only overcomes these possible hindrances, but always emerges victorious above and beyond whatever goal he sets for himself. There isn't any secret; it is his dedication to excellence that drives his students, regardless of their socio-economic experience, to heights they never could have envisioned for themselves. Using past data to formulate plans that are innovative and effective Couple this with undying advocation and love for his learning community, I would be hard press to find any one in our district (or in our nation) who has changed more lives for the better than Eric Hale.
Eric’s passion, care and concern for his family, students and community is exceptional. Eric deeply understands the long-term impact educators have on their students. As a result, he approaches educating with a vision and plan, which not only prepares his students for success, but allows his students to thrive. Eric is a valuable asset to the education system and definitely is a life changer.
Eric’s passion is distinct. It’s ever-present.
As a family, a portion of our Christmas is always devoted to a student, a portion of our back-to-school funds are always devoted to student uniforms, Thanksgiving includes an extra meal for a student family, and any new friend is always left with a task for (or an invitation to) Eric’s classroom.
It’s impossible to separate him from this work. He’s never burdened by it though it’s always on his mind. He’s not exhausted because of it though it takes up so much of his time. It is his life’s calling to empower his students. He gives his very best to bring the very best out of them.
For me, watching his passion grow has redefined the very word. It’s hard to describe. It’s more than a commitment--there is this hunger that is hard to miss. The man is non-stop. There is love in what he does, this is never just a job.
He is undeniably a life changer.
Eric Hale is my son-in-law. I am proud to share my experience about this phenomenal teacher.
Perhaps I’m bias, but I am in no way off-the-mark when it comes to recognizing his commitment to the education and personal growth of his students.
I’ve had the privilege of watching him interact with his students in his classroom. His style of
teaching is unique. He demands excellence. The respect he gives and receives from his students speaks volumes.
Additionally, he cares about their personal welfare. I’ve seen him provide students with coats for the harsh Dallas winter and Christmas gifts for some he knew would have nothing. Eric has a big heart. He was destined to become a teacher. No one does it better. No one.
I am a friend of Eric Hale and attest to the passion that he possesses for his students and the betterment of themselves through education.
We may be watching a football game, gathering for game night, listening to music, or discussing the latest media headline- Whatever the scene, Eric finds a way to become a better teacher.
He uses the gathering of his friends minds’, many whom are parents, to pose thoughtful questions- How can I be even more impactful with my students? How can I use music to teach? What do you all think about a game break to give the kids a morale boost?
Those are the questions of a passionate teacher whom recognizes the great responsibility of their role. And because that responsibility is so great, understandably, it’s often on Eric’s mind.
Teachers not only teach, they shape and influence. Eric fully understands this!
Eric Hale is my uncle, he adopted me when I was two years old when I was placed in the foster care system so that I would be able to stay in my family and wouldn't be subjected to the harshness of the foster care system. He took me in and raised me as his own daughter. He has impacted my life in huge ways and as made sure to take care of me and provide me with everything that I needed even when he was struggling to make ends meet and we were living check to check when he first started teaching. He never let me know that anything was wrong and assured me that everything was always going to be alright. Now I am 16 and a high school junior on track to become a scholarship athlete, with a 3.6 GPA, I honestly don't think I could say that I would be in this position if it wasn't for the love and compassion that he has shown me since the first day he met me. Simply stated he changed my life!
There are so many things that I can say about Mr. Hale. He is carrying and supportive teacher. My daughter had him for 2 years in a row. In that period of time I've gotten to know him. He helped my daughter to build the confidence that she has now. My daughter and I were asked by Mr. Hale to speak in Leadership Dallas Education Day in 2018 and 2019. Where my daughter had the opportunity to teach Doctors, Lawyers, and Business owner .Till this day if I have any questions or problems I still ask him for help. He is one of the greatest teachers that my daughter could have gotten . I truly appreciate all the hard work he has done with my daughter and the other students to succeed. And for that i'll be forever thankful.
Mr. Hale is a strong advocate for our students, our staff members and our community! He is always looking for opportunities to showcase our school.
I had the opportunity to observe Mr. Hale in his classroom when I happened to be in my 2nd year of teaching. I was impressed to see that his students were able to reach a level of rigor that is unseen at such an early age in their development. He effectively engages his students in their learning and always challenges them to demonstrate their skills. He has a classroom environment that promotes both academic growth and self confidence! His passion for and dedication to his students’ learning has changed the lives of so many children within the Dallas community. He is truly a Life changer!
What a honor, long overdue. A man’s gift opens doors for him, and brings him before great men. Congrats my guy
Super proud of Eric and all that he stands for and does for the children in Texas schools. Keep changing students’ lives!
Mr. Hale is more than just an extraordinary teacher. He is also caring, tenacious, loyal, and a great mentor for our children . My daughter is now going on her second year will Mr. Hale. She came into kinder last year not knowing much of anything because she had never been to day care before and she was a little behind. However, she is now at the top of her 1st grade class. This could have not been possible without Mr.Hale educating her . He is the only reason why we have chosen to stayed in this school. Because I know she will not receive the advance education Mr. Hale is able to provide to her. Mr. Hale is more than just a teacher to his students, some would even say Mr. Hale is a more of a role model or a big brother.
I am honored to leave comments regarding Eric Hale. Eric Hale exceeds excellent in our school and community with many accomplishments as a Distinguished Teacher with Dallas ISD Schools. In 2014, Eric Hale invited Congressman Marc Veasey to our school as a special guest speaker. Eric Hale and his class presented at Leadership Dallas and spoke passionately about exposing students to various field trips and up to $15,000 was donated to our school. Eric Hale along with other Educators, were invited to a Roundtable Discussion by Governor Greg Abbott for feedback on how to improve the teaching climate and student success in schools. In 2019, Eric Hale was invited and spoke with Texas Legislature on the topic Appropriations S/C Article II. August 2019. Eric Hale invited former NFL player Bethel Johnson who spoke to our students about school and success. September 2019, Eric Hale lead the celebration to honor our Veteran employees with an Exceptional Service Award to honor their contributions to our Country, School and Community. Mr. Hale won Teacher of the Year at David G. Burnet Elementary. Eric Hale, Excellent and Exceptional! Thank you.
Congratulations Mr. Hale! Very well deserved.
Thank you for being such a courageous teacher leader, ensuring equity for ALL students!!!
