Big Thought Selected by Dallas ISD as Recipient of 2017 Jeanne Fagadau Leading the Charge Award

Education nonprofit Big Thought today announced that it has been selected as a recipient of the Jeanne Fagadau Leading the Charge Award for outstanding support of Dallas Independent School District (Dallas ISD). This award recognizes organizations or individuals who have been great advocates for Dallas schools and who have expanded and enriched the relationship with the school district.

Additionally, Kristina Dove, senior program manager for partner relations at Big Thought, was nominated for a Partner of the Year award from Dallas ISD this year.

“Big Thought has been a valued partner and collaborator with Dallas ISD for nearly 30 years,” said Tracie Washington, principal at Dallas ISD’s Billy Earl Dade Middle School. “We are delighted to recognize Big Thought’s contributions through its excellent work in coordinating after-school and summer learning programs that add to the education and enrichment of Dallas students.”

The award was presented during the Dallas ISD April 27 board meeting. This year’s award was named in honor of the late Jeanne Fagadau, who was an education visionary and served as president of the National Council of Jewish Women Greater Dallas Section. Ms. Fagadau supported the formation of the School Volunteer Program, an organization that connects volunteers with Dallas schools’ teachers, and she served as the Dallas ISD Volunteer Coordinator from 1970-1980.

“Big Thought is honored to receive this recognition from our long-time partner, Dallas ISD,” said Kristina Dove, senior program manager, partner relations, for Big Thought. “We’ve worked side-by-side with Dallas ISD and the city of Dallas to offer the Dallas City of Learning summer program, and through this program we’ve served more than 50,000 students in the last three years. We look forward to many more years of working together.”

Big Thought focuses on addressing the needs of Dallas children, especially in narrowing the opportunity gap for under-resourced youth, reducing summer learning loss, and promoting social-emotional learning.