Dallas Independent School District
09/16/2021 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/16/2021 11:58
Dallas ISD News: Two of Sam Tasby’s descendants continue his legacy in Dallas ISD
Two of Sam Tasby's descendants continue his legacy in Dallas ISD
Editor's note: Spanish story included below
DALLAS -
Five decades after Sam Tasby was the centerpiece of the lawsuit that ended segregation in Dallas ISD, two of his descendants are working in the district to continue his legacy of equity and bettering lives through education.
Five decades after Sam Tasby was the centerpiece of the lawsuit that ended segregation in Dallas ISD, two of his descendants are working in the district to continue his legacy of equity and bettering lives through education.
In her social studies classroom at Seagoville Middle School, Rashonda Phelps proudly showcases a picture of her grandfather Sam Tasby on a poster listing her favorite things. She credits her grandfather as the reason she is in education.
'When I was trying to figure out what I wanted to do for a career, I talked with my grandfather. He always stressed the importance of education, and he supported us and pushed us,' Phelps said. 'I ended up getting my teaching certification, and I haven't looked back since.'
Over at David W. Carter High School, Sam Tasby's great-granddaughter, Dr. Calissia Tasby, supports students as a licensed mental health clinician with the Mental Health Services Department. She helps students work through anxiety and depression caused by the pandemic and address any personal crises.
Dr. Tasby, who attended Ronald McNair Elementary School as a child, said one of her greatest joys was starting to work in Dallas ISD while her great-grandfather was still alive.
'He was so passionate about education and equal rights,' she said. 'It's a privilege to help continue what he started.'
Looking forward
Dr. Tasby and Phelps vividly remember Sam Tasby talking about his historic lawsuit that led to the desegregation order for Dallas ISD. He thought it was outrageous that his kids couldn't attend the 'white school' in northwest Dallas. As the Dallas Morning News reported in his obituary, Tasby was harassed and lost his job following the lawsuit. But he remained committed to fighting for what was right, his descendants said.
Dr. Tasby said her great-grandfather would be proud of the district's equity efforts, including the elimination of out-of-school suspensions for non-major infractions and the push to ensure an equitable distribution of resources among all schools.
'That goes back to what my great-grandfather pushed for,' she said. 'Students should have the same opportunity as each other, regardless of the color of their skin or their zip code. The work continues, but we are making progress.'
Spanish story:
Dos descendientes de Sam Tasby continúan su lucha en Dallas ISD
DALLAS - Cinco décadas después de que Sam Tasby fuera la pieza fundamental de la demanda que dio fin a la segregación en Dallas ISD, dos de sus descendientes trabajan en el distrito para continuar su legado por mejorar la vida y lograr la equidad a través de la educación.
En su salón de clases de ciencias sociales en Seagoville Middle School, Rashonda Phelps tiene una fotografía de su abuelo Sam Tasby que la llena de orgullo y que todos ven cuando entran. Su abuelo es la razón por la cual decidió ser maestra.
'Cuando estaba tratando de determinar en qué quería trabajar, hablé con mi abuelo. Él siempre me enfatizó la importancia de la educación y nos apoyó y motivó', dijo Phelps. 'Obtuve mi certificación docente y nunca me he arrepentido'.
En David W. Carter High School, la bisnieta de Sam Tasby, la Dra. Calissa Tasby, apoya a los estudiantes como clínica con el Departamento de Servicios de Salud Mental. Ayuda a los estudiantes a sobrellevar la ansiedad y depresión causadas por la pandemia y trata todo tipo de crisis personales.
Calissa Tasby, que asistió a Ronald McNair Elementary School, dijo que una de sus mayores alegrías fue empezar a trabajar en Dallas ISD mientras su bisabuelo aún vivía.
'Era un apasionado por la educación y la igualdad de derechos. Es un privilegio continuar su lucha'.
Con miras al futuro
La Dra. Tasby y Phelps recuerdan claramente la demanda histórica que interpuso Sam Tasby y que resultó en la orden de dar fin a la segregación en Dallas ISD. Él pensaba que era indignante que sus hijos no podían asistir a la 'escuela para blancos' en el noroeste de Dallas. Tal como lo informó The Dallas Morning News en su obituario, Tasby fue acosado y perdió su empleo tras la demanda pero siguió comprometido a luchar por lo correcto, aseguran sus descendientes.
La Dra. Tasby dijo que su bisabuelo estaría orgulloso de los esfuerzos del distrito por lograr la equidad, incluyendo la eliminación de suspensiones fuera de la escuela por infracciones menores y el compromiso por asegurar una distribución equitativa de recursos entre todas las escuelas.
'Esto es lo mismo por lo que luchó mi bisabuelo', dijo la Dra. Tasby. 'Los estudiantes deben tener las mismas oportunidades, sin importar el color de su piel o el código postal donde viven. La lucha continúa pero estamos progresando'.
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