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CBS News
3 days ago
- Science
- CBS News
Health reason forces Dallas ISD's "Animal Man" to leave the classroom for good
Harry Monroe has been an educator for 51 years. He spent 33 of those with the Dallas Independent School District. Now, he's leaving for health reasons. It may not be the retirement chapter Monroe envisioned, but he lived to see it. For that, he's grateful. "I consider myself the last of the dinosaurs," Monroe said. The 78-year-old has been a science teacher in the Dallas Independent School District System for 33 years. He taught at the former Colonial Elementary School in South Dallas, now MLK Elementary School. He landed a dream job at Dallas ISD's Environmental Center in Seagoville. The road to Dallas ISD started in his hometown of Kingfisher, Oklahoma, after Monroe got his Master's degree. Kingfisher is about 40 minutes northwest of Oklahoma City. Monroe taught in the Houston area. The science teacher said he was about to sign a contract when he pursued the job in Dallas in 1992. Over the years, he's come to realize something. "Some of these kids are just very fortunate if they make it to school in the morning," he said. "It was a rude awakening." For those who did make it, they got to know the educator in room 506, who was called "The Animal Man." "I'm always using animals in my lessons," he said. Nobody knows his love of critters than his wife, Henrietta. The 74-year-old recalled the morning she was vacuuming until there was a discovery under the table at home. "There was a gigantic spider, there was a turtle, there was a, I think it was a snake," Henrietta Monroe said. The animal discovery that morning was just beginning. "And I think the one that scared me the most was this gigantic hissing cockroach," she said. According to his wife, the two had an interesting conversation about notifications and critters that morning. She is supportive of his love for animals, but his wife offered him some seasoned advice. "I told him that he had to think of himself first, that his health was very important," she said. "And retiring might be the thing for him, but I wanted him to know that that was his decision. Because I wanted him to feel comfortable making the decision himself." Monroe, who prided himself on opening systems to inner-city students, started to feel a decline in his system. It became worse than not feeling 100%. He got medical attention and found out he had transthyretin amyloidosis, or ATTR. "Now, what this medication will do — it's not going to get rid of it. It will slow it down," Monroe said. "It will stop the progression of it." ATTR is chunks of flawed protein, making it hard for the heart to pump. Monroe said he and his wife joked about him dying in devotion to the classroom and students. He did not want to make that happen literally. "It's supposed to keep you from dying and to reduce your hospital visits," he said. So, as much as he wanted to continue, Monroe began cleaning out his room. He adopted out his snapping turtles, silky Chinese chicken, guinea pigs, and the axolotl. In the meantime, his wife began helping him sort a museum of teaching tools and artifacts from globes near a stuffed bobcat, Columbian mammoth fossil remains, posters, and boar skulls. "And it's kind of hard; I didn't sleep very well last night, thinking about that," Monroe said."You know, men are not supposed to cry, but I'm pretty emotional right now. I don't know whether I'm going to cry or not." All of the packing was happening on the day Monroe had his final chance to be a showman of science to a group of energetic kindergartners. "I realize this is the last class that I will teach here at the Environmental Ed Center," he said. Monroe followed the script of his system, teaching the kids and removing their fear by exposure. "How they fit in in the environment, that everything is part of the system," he said. "And I would explain that, basically, I'd be talking about the importance of them being around." Now, the time has come for him to go home with Henrietta, his wife of 31 years. She has even softened on allowing creatures into the house. Monroe mentioned Bobwhite quail. "I would accept a cockroach or the spider, the turtle, whatever he had out there," she said. His wife said her husband spent so much time in the classroom that she knows the science teacher will need a period to adjust to retirement. "Just the thought of actually retiring, it still bothers him," she said. "And I can understand that." Monroe plans to stay in touch with coworkers and even return to visit. Much of his time, though, will be spent with family and loved ones. It's a new system he'll get used to. Room 506 bids farewell to its keeper of more than three decades. "I'll just say thanks. It's been a good part of my life," he said. "How many people get to do a job that they enjoy?" Animal man, out.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Textbooks, Not Texts: Texas Bans Cellphones To Boost School Focus
A new law signed by Gov. Greg Abbott over the weekend will prohibit students in Texas public schools from using cellphones and other personal communication devices during school hours. House Bill 1481 mandates that public school districts and open-enrollment charter schools adopt policies requiring devices like cellphones, tablets, smartwatches, and other telecommunication-enabled electronics to be stored securely and out of sight during the school day. Schools must either ban students from bringing devices to campus or provide storage options, such as locked pouches, to ensure a safe and secure environment. The law requires disciplinary measures for students found using prohibited devices, with exceptions for school-provided devices, those needed for educational programs, doctor-prescribed devices, or those required for health or safety protocols. Several North Texas districts, including Richardson ISD, have already implemented cellphone restrictions, citing distractions and bullying as reasons. Richardson ISD utilizes Yondr pouches, magnetic locking devices that enable students to carry their phones without accessing them. The district's superintendent reported 85% of teachers noted increased instructional time after the policy's adoption, Fox 4 KDFW reported. Dallas ISD, which has tested various approaches, must now develop a district-wide policy this summer. Piper Freeman, who just completed eighth grade at Dallas ISD's Robert T. Hill Junior High, where cellphones have been banned for several years, told Fox 4, 'It made a lot of people mad because they could not have their phones.' However, she added, 'It can be distracting when you see other kids on their phones.' Piper's mother, Megan Freeman, credited the pouches for reducing fights and improving social skills, recalling her son's observation: 'He said, 'Mom, you can tell the kids who have not had Yondr pouches because all of us Highlanders, we are talking at lunch. Everyone else is like this on their phone. They don't know how to communicate.' I love it.' Some opposition has emerged, with students in Houston staging a walkout last year against a cellphone ban and parents citing safety concerns, referencing the Uvalde school shooting, where victims used phones to call for help. Megan Freeman acknowledged these concerns, saying, 'I have had that frustration. I wish I could text my son or Piper. It's made me more proactive. Or I message the teachers.' Law enforcement experts advise students to avoid using their phones during emergencies and follow instructions quietly, noting that all Texas classrooms have desk phones for making 911 calls.
CBS News
6 days ago
- Politics
- CBS News
Dallas ISD to vote on cellphone ban in schools
Dallas ISD trustees could vote on a new student code of conduct for the next school year, which includes a district-wide cellphone ban for students. This comes less than a week after Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed a statewide ban on cellphones in schools. This bill goes into effect on Sept. 1. The cell phone ban at Dallas ISD would make it against the rules for students to use personal devices, even for safety purposes. Previously, students could use their phones or personal devices if it was approved by a teacher. According to the new policy, each school could enforce the ban in its own way, whether that be through pouches, locked storage, classroom boxes, or just in the student's backpack. If caught using a device, it will be taken and the student will receive a level two disciplinary offense. The new state law says districts should implement bans for students for the whole day while on campus, not just instructional time. The law also sets aside $20 million for districts that want to buy storage like pouches. In a statement to CBS News Texas, Dallas ISD wrote in part: "along with many other districts, we're still in the process of determining what these changes will look like heading into the new school year." Grapevine-Colleyville ISD implemented a similar ban for students last fall. Grand Prairie ISD required high school students to put their phones in storage pouches last fall as well. One private school in Willow Park has lockers where students put their phones in at the start of the day. Dallas ISD added that plans are still being finalized and may change in the next month or so.
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Two Dallas Students Triumph With National Merit Scholarship
Two Dallas ISD students have beaten the odds, earning prestigious National Merit Scholarships from a pool of 1.3 million applicants nationwide. Samuel H. and Cami S., graduates of the Yvonne A. Ewell Townview Center, secured spots among just 2,900 winners this year. The achievement places these students in rarefied company — fewer than one percent of high school seniors receive this honor. The awards, ranging from $500 to $2,000 annually, can be renewed for up to four years of undergraduate study. Samuel, who attended the School of Science and Engineering, plans to study physics at the University of Texas at Dallas. Cami, a graduate of the School for the Talented and Gifted (TAG), will pursue biomedical engineering at Texas A&M University. Arnold Zuñiga, principal of Townview TAG, praised Cami's accomplishment as evidence of exceptional character. 'This recognition tells me that Cami demonstrated remarkable discipline and focus — qualities that go beyond intelligence alone,' Zuñiga said. 'It shows that she met challenges head-on, often balancing academics with extracurricular and community involvement, all while maintaining a high level of performance.' The National Merit Scholarship Corporation will announce additional recipients in July. For now, these two Dallas students stand as examples of academic excellence in a highly competitive field.
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Bright Futures Ahead: Five Dallas Teens Earn $5K Scholarships from Monty and Sarah Bennett
Five Dallas ISD seniors have been selected as recipients of the 2025 Monty J. and Sarah Z. Bennett Dallas Scholarship Fund, awarded through Dallas Bright Futures. The scholarship recognizes students who have demonstrated academic excellence and perseverance in the face of adversity. Each winner will receive a $5,000 scholarship to support college expenses, including tuition, books, or housing. The recipients were chosen from a competitive pool through a selective process involving essays, interviews, and recommendations. 'These five seniors are bold, bright, and beautifully resilient. Their journeys – marked by perseverance, grit, and a deep desire to uplift others – deeply resonate with me,' said Sarah Z. Bennett. 'Like them, I know what it's like to walk a harder road. That's why their academic achievements and community impact feel especially inspiring. They remind us all of the strength that can come from hard work and determination, and they truly represent the best of this rising generation.' The 2025 scholarship recipients include: Mekhiya Matthews, graduating from Kathlyn Joy Gilliam Collegiate Academy with a high school diploma and associate degree, will study mechanical engineering at Texas Christian University. She hopes to develop engineering solutions to improve systems like voting and hospital operations. Anica Ayala, a graduate of Emmett J. Conrad High School and former English learner, will attend the University of Texas at Austin to study biology with a focus on pediatric oncology. Jesus Serrano, also from Emmett J. Conrad, plans to major in engineering at UT Austin. With a background in robotics and a passion for mentorship, he hopes to return to Dallas to inspire future engineers. Lauren Osorio, graduating from Irma Rangel Young Women's Leadership School, overcame homelessness and plans to study psychology at Willamette University, aiming to support youth struggling with mental health challenges. Sophia Olivas, also of Irma Rangel YMLS, will attend Southern Methodist University to study actuarial science. A standout math student, she created youth financial literacy programs and wants to help underrepresented communities gain economic knowledge. The scholars will be honored at a private reception on June 17, hosted by Monty and Sarah Bennett at Ashford Inc. Dallas Bright Futures, the nonprofit behind the scholarship fund, supports students from under-resourced backgrounds by providing access to higher education and opportunities for long-term success. Reception DetailsDate: June 17, 2025Time: 2–3 PM CTLocation: Ashford Inc., 14185 Dallas Parkway, Dallas, TXMedia RSVP: abeach@ For more on the scholarship and Dallas Bright Futures, visit
