Nominated for the second time in three years, Ms. Pamela Dawson received the 2023 Grammy Music Educator Award.

DESOTO, Texas — Pamela Dawson is the director of DeSoto High School’s choir program.

In her 16-year tenure, she’s always put her students first.

But this year, the Recording Academy and GRAMMY Museum put her first.

After being nominated for a second time, Dawson has won the 2023 Grammy Music Educator Award.

The award, according to a district press release, recognizes educators who have made a significant and lasting contribution to the music education field, and demonstrate a commitment to the broader cause of maintaining music education in the schools. Each year, one recipient is selected from 10 finalists and recognized for their remarkable impact on students' lives.

The award is a testament to the hard work, dedication and mentorship Dawson’s provided over the years, the district said.

“I believe that the Grammy Foundation did a thorough research of what we’ve provided as far as qualifications to be a finalist,” said Dawson about her nomination submission this go-around.

“What I spoke about what I pour into my kids, especially this year dealing with mental health, was a deciding factor in me getting this award. I am so honored that the Grammy Museum and The Recording Academy for finding me worthy of receiving this honor.”

Dawson built the choir program into a national powerhouse, the district added, having traveled and won numerous competitions around the world.

The students have performed at Carnegie Hall and at the Southwestern American Choral Directors Association (SWACDA) national honor choir.

Locally, the district said, her choirs have been a regular feature for the Dallas Black Dance Theater’s Dance Africa event.

Some of her former students, the district said, are even on Broadway.

But Dawson has always remained humble.

“What I think my students really realize now is that what I’ve been doing has always been for them and not about me,” she said when asked about her prestigious award.

DeSoto, the district said in its statement, is one of the top-rated school systems in the Dallas/Fort Worth area according to recent Texas Education Agency accountability ratings. The district’s last three graduating classes have obtained roughly $15M in college scholarships on average — the result of expansive Career and Technical Education, STEM and early childhood education programs rooted in developing literacy and numeracy skills in young learners.

“DeSoto ISD is proud to acknowledge the work of Pam Dawson in her attainment of this recent achievement,” DeSoto ISD Superintendent of Schools Dr. Usamah Rodgers said in a statement.

“Her commitment to excellence and positive impact to students’ lives is demonstrative of what makes this such an amazing school community — the embodiment of the DeSoto difference.”

Dawson is a native of Detroit, and in addition to her duties as a teacher, vocalist and musician, is also a proud mother and grandmother.

The DeSoto High School choir director now boasts a Grammy award in her stock of achievements after winning the prestigious honor this week.

“What I think my students really realize now is that what I’ve been doing has always been for them and not about me,” longtime teacher Pamela Dawson said in a release.

Dawson received this year’s Grammy Music Educator Award along with $10,000 and a matching grant for her school’s music program.

The award recognizes educators who have made a “significant and lasting contribution to the music education field and demonstrate a commitment to the broader cause of maintaining music education in the schools,” according to a DeSoto news release.

Originally from Detroit, Dawson moved to Texas in 2006. She recalls her mother telling her she didn’t know where DeSoto is, but that she was going to take the city “by storm.”

Under her leadership, the high school’s choir program has bloomed into a “national powerhouse” that has traveled and won several competitions across the world.

Dawson’s choirs have performed in New York at Carnegie Hall as well as at the Southwestern American Choral Directors Association national honor choir. Some of her former students have enrolled in highly regarded music programs and even have performed on Broadway.

Judges chose Dawson — who has taught at the school for 16 years — out of 10 finalists from across the country. The nine other finalists will receive $1,000 and matching grants.

The choir director had previously made it into the top 10 finalists in 2021.

Dawson’s “commitment to excellence and positive impact to students’ lives is demonstrative of what makes this such an amazing school community,” DeSoto ISD Superintendent Usamah Rodgers said in a release.

The DMN Education Lab deepens the coverage and conversation about urgent education issues critical to the future of North Texas.

The DMN Education Lab is a community-funded journalism initiative, with support from Bobby and Lottye Lyle, Communities Foundation of Texas, The Dallas Foundation, Dallas Regional Chamber, Deedie Rose, Garrett and Cecilia Boone, The Meadows Foundation, The Murrell Foundation, Solutions Journalism Network, Southern Methodist University, Sydney Smith Hicks and the University of Texas at Dallas. The Dallas Morning News retains full editorial control of the Education Lab’s journalism.

Inside her Texas classroom, high school choir director Pamela Dawson is referred to as "Mama Dawson." But she's getting a new title to add to her collection: Grammy Award winner. Dawson has been named the recipient of the 2023 Grammy Music Educator Award.

Dawson has been the choir teacher at DeSoto High School since 2007, after leaving her office job to go into teaching.

"Got in front of those kids that first day and said, 'Oh my God, I missed my calling. This is it,'" Dawson said.

Dawson comes from a musical family in Detroit, Michigan. She was one of eight kids and the only girl, which she said made her parents overprotective. Her mother didn't let her "do much," she said, "So, the only thing I did was practice." She became good at playing multiple musical instruments, including the harp.

Despite her talent, Dawson never pursued music professionally. But her teaching has inspired some students, like actor, singer and 2012 graduate Davian Jackson, to pursue careers in music. Her students said they value what she has taught them beyond the musical scale.

"It's a dog-eat-dog world, especially in the art space," Jackson said. "And if you are not on your Ps and Qs, you can be eaten by the world. But she instilled discipline into us, to where we're there on time, before time. If you're on time, you're late."

Student Arieana Williams credits Dawson for bringing her out of a "dark place" and helping build her confidence.

"She's always been there," Williams said. "I can't imagine me without her."

Dawson was selected out of 1,205 initial nominations submissions from 47 states. It's the third time that Dawson has been named a top 10 finalist for the award.

"If it wasn't for them [students] I don't think I would be where I am. It's always about the students," Dawson said.

DeSoto, TX–A partnership between the University of North Texas at Dallas and DeSoto Independent School District will award the entire senior class at DeSoto High School with automatic admission into the university.

Students in the DHS 2023 graduating class were presented the announcement facilitated by UNT Dallas’ Executive Director of Undergraduate Admissions Luis Franco in partnership with representatives from the DeSoto ISD Board of Trustees, DeSoto ISD Superintendent of Schools Dr. Usamah Rodgers and DeSoto High School Principal Jasen Campbell during a special called class meeting during school on Tuesday, Feb, 7 at the campus’ Fred Nickels Auditorium.

“Life is about options and choices,” said DeSoto ISD Superintendent of Schools Dr. Usamah Rodgers regarding the opportunity as she addressed students.

Rodgers went on to say, “Dallas County is a tale of two cities having some of the highest economic wealth in the United States and some of the highest poverty.”

Rodgers explained that that most family-sustaining jobs require a post-secondary degree or credential and that most people who reside in Dallas County who are between 25-34 don’t have a postsecondary degree or credential meaning they don’t have access to employment opportunities that are family sustaining.

“Today’s announcement ensures that 100 percent of you have a fighting chance at making a family-sustaining wage so that you can access what it is you want to have in life–choices and options.”

UNT Dallas has in recent years ranked as on one of the top universities for lowest student debt held by graduates–a barrier to economic progress and mobility for many young adults.

During the presentation, UNT Dallas representatives celebrated the school’s ability to “excel at serving first generation college students and propelling graduates towards economic mobility.” The university also pointed out that 98 percent of Hispanic students graduate with “no or manageable debt” compared to 92% as based on the state average and that 90 percent of African-American students graduate with “no or manageable debt” compared to the state average of 79 percent.

The university extended the opportunity to DHS seniors under the Trailblazer Express program which is a partnership between the university and selected high schools. It is designed to provide a seamless pathway to a bachelor’s degree while removing barriers to college access and the college application process.

In 2020, the DeSoto ISD Board of Trustees approved Board Goals which have focus on four key areas of student achievement:

Under the district’s goals for CCMR, which have evolved since their 2020 development, the Board aspires for the district to increase the percentage of high school students who graduate college, career and military-ready from 36% (May 2019) to 62% by May 2025. Under this goal, the DeSoto ISD utilizes the following goal progress measures to assess growth in this area:

“The Board of Trustees set college, career and military-readiness goals that measure our students’ college-readiness and DeSoto ISD has great programs in place to support that progress,” said Rodgers. “Our goal is to ensure that every student that graduates from DeSoto ISD has a plan for life that helps them create opportunities for their families so that they can break barriers and cycles and pursue the American dream.”

DeSoto ISD Board President Dr. DeAndrea Fleming encouraged students to lean into the opportunity presented by UNT Dallas “to change the trajectory of their lives.”

“This is a breakthrough,” said Fleming. “Use this moment to take a step forward and change your life for the better by taking a chance on yourself.”

Under the UNT Dallas Trailblazer Express partnership, DHS Seniors are assigned a an admissions counselor who is positioned to support students’ engagement in the opportunity from start to finish.

As part of the presentation, students were invited to attend the university’s April 1 Trailblazer 360 showcase and open house, an opportunity for prospective students and their families to tour the campus, learn about programs and activities including study abroad opportunities and participate in giveaways including scholarships.

DeSoto High School students will receive a physician and electronic letter regarding the admissions opportunity and process from UNT Dallas in the near future.

DeSoto ISD continues to work closely with area industry and collegiate partners to create, enhance and expand learning and curricular offerings for district students–an extension of the district’s Triple-A Experience, a holistic and well-rounded educational approach rooted in Academics, Arts and Athletics.

About DeSoto Independent School District

DeSoto ISD is a public independent school district serving more than 7,400 students and 1,000 employees. The district comprises 10 campuses serving students from early childhood through graduation. DeSoto ISD’s mission is to ensure students, without exception, learn and grow at their highest level. The District’s 2021 Be The FutureStrategic Plan focuses on equity, access, and excellence in an effort to provide a holistic and well-rounded educational experience to students and families in DeSoto, Glenn Heights, and Ovilla.<

Sunset High School senior Sebastian Ruiz Trujillano plans to be first in his family to earn a bachelor’s degree thanks to a new automatic admissions program at the University of North Texas at Dallas.

The teen wants to major in computer science, eventually get his Ph. D. and run his own company one day. Knowing he already has a spot at the school made him less worried about the college application process. He hopes classmates take advantage of the program as well.

“This is your opportunity,” he said. “This is something that’s for you, and you can’t miss it. It’s an extraordinary gift.”

Graduating seniors at more than 10 Dallas-area high schools have automatic, conditional admission to UNT Dallas through the new partnership that’s rolling out over the coming weeks.

So far, Dallas ISD’s Sunset, Gilliam Collegiate Academy, Carter and Kimball high schools are part of the program along with DeSoto High School. In Dallas County, just 33% of adults have a bachelor’s degree or higher, according to 2022 Census data.

The partnership, known as Trailblazer Express, will break barriers for students when it comes to the application process, said Jesus Martinez, principal at Sunset High School.

“Oftentimes, the biggest hurdle that our community faces is not knowing how to start the process…since most of our students are first generation,” Martinez said.

Participating schools will keep track of seniors as they near graduation and provide UNT Dallas with contact information. UNT Dallas officials will then provide those students with a “quick link” to apply.

“It’s not old school where you have to fill out a whole application and go through that process,” Martinez said. “It’s kind of an abbreviated process.”

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Students will receive their conditional acceptance letters by March 1. If they follow the guidelines, they will be eligible for several priority scholarship deadlines, said Jose da Silva, interim vice president of student access and success at UNT Dallas.

“There weren’t a whole lot of resources to help me as a first-generation college student to navigate it,” he said. “As I reflect on my experiences, I want to make sure that I eliminate barriers that I experienced way back then.”

About 80 to 100 of this year’s 500 graduates at Sunset High School may take advantage of the program, Martinez said.

The program gives students a chance at being able to provide for their families in the future. Usamah Rodgers, superintendent of DeSoto schools, said during a recent presentation on the program.

“Today’s announcement ensures that 100% of you have a fighting chance at making a family-sustaining wage so that you can access what it is you want to have in life -- choices and options,” said Rodgers, according to a district press release.

UNT Dallas, which is located in the southern part of the city, is nationally ranked for the help it provides students to increase their socioeconomic status, da Silva said. The university has also been historically ranked for lowest debt held by graduates.

This program is more than just an acceptance letter, officials said.

UNT Dallas will give students in the program frequent one-on-one counseling to support them through the process.

“It’s a little bit deeper than just saying you’re admitted,” Martinez said. “Let’s get them through the finish line.”

Many Sunset High School parents have had questions about the cost and logistics of the program, Martinez noted. Students will be eligible for all scholarships and aid just like other applicants to the university, da Silva said.

Trujillano said the program will motivate other students to take control of their future.

“Some students need the push. That last push helps them go on and go to the college they’re dreaming of,” he said.

The DMN Education Lab deepens the coverage and conversation about urgent education issues critical to the future of North Texas.

The DMN Education Lab is a community-funded journalism initiative, with support from Bobby and Lottye Lyle, Communities Foundation of Texas, The Dallas Foundation, Dallas Regional Chamber, Deedie Rose, Garrett and Cecilia Boone, The Meadows Foundation, The Murrell Foundation, Solutions Journalism Network, Southern Methodist University, Sydney Smith Hicks and the University of Texas at Dallas. The Dallas Morning News retains full editorial control of the Education Lab’s journalism.