Principal Brings New Energy To Low Performing DISD School

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DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) – Turning a low performing school around is challenging, but DISD is send in reinforcements from the top.

Derrick Ross is the principal at Twain Elementary School in Oak Cliff's Red Bird neighborhood.  He spends part of his day in the classroom helping teach the students.

As Sabrina Artis teaches her fifth grade science class about thermal energy, the energy level gets a double dose with Principal Ross.

"Mr. Ross takes over the class, and he teaches, and it's wonderful," says Artis.

Twain Elementary was on the state's list of low performing schools, not anymore.

Ross arrived at Twain 10 months ago. His daily dive into teacher mode and partnering with his classroom educators has raised scores and infused academic confidence in kids.

Ross says "At the end of the day, it's not about my school or their school, it's about the community we're trying to uplift."

Parents also support the changes. "Mr. Ross has made a difference, a plus to our school, a plus to the neighborhood," comments parent Ron Lane.

Mark Twain Elementary now has 90 parents involved in the PTA, last year there were five.

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