LOS ANGELES — At Dallas ISD’s Hillcrest High, Arthur Valle prepares for his first “first day of school” as a new teacher.

“I’m nervous on the first day,” he admits with a laugh. “But I’m just looking forward to getting to know a whole group of new children.”

His first task? To make sure he builds a connection with all of his students.

“Absolutely,” said Valle. “It can’t just be the material. It’s the people who teach it.”

Valle said a former teacher got him to consider a career in education. He found DISD at a job fair, went on several interviews and felt he could have the same impact on Hillcrest students.

“That was one of the main things that I found really helpful,” said the former college tutor and teaching assistant. “Even if a student wasn’t really interested in the material and didn’t really want to be there, I got to know them. They made an effort for me and I think that connection makes all the difference.”

Valle will teach algebra and is one of the new hires helping DISD make a difference. They begin the year almost fully staffed. And with more than 10,000 teachers in the district, such a success is a reason to celebrate.

“Yes. There are fewer than 100 positions available,” said Tionia Richardson, DISD’s human resources director.

By the way, Richardson was also once a teacher with fifteen job offers! She said that’s the kind of sought-after applicant the district looks for: someone with options but who chooses DISD. Then the goal is to support them so they stay.

“Absolutely,” Richardson said. “It’s even more valuable to the campus, to the students, to build that culture, that community. So when those teachers are there for a while, they understand the dynamics of the community that they’re serving. So, yes, it’s definitely better for us as a district as a whole, but more importantly, it’s better for the school campus and the impact on the child.”

Richardson said DISD Superintendent Stephanie Elizalde has made it a priority to listen to teachers, get their feedback and then address their concerns.

As Valle tapes materials to the wall and plans a classroom culture built on collaboration, he says he looks forward to growing and learning as a teacher alongside his students.

“I can tell my students, ‘Hey, look, I’m learning. You’re learning and we’re both the greatest.'”