In celebration of National Parent Involvement Day, Irving ISD is proud to highlight its recognition as a statewide leader in father engagement. The district was recently honored at the All Pro Dad (ADP) Experience on October 25 at AT&T Stadium for its districtwide success in mobilizing fathers to strengthen families and support student success.
Hosted by Family First, a national nonprofit organization, the All Pro Dad Experience celebrated school districts making a measurable impact through the All Pro Dad Chapter Program. The program was co-founded by former NFL coach Tony Dungy and is a fatherhood and family-strengthening initiative that promotes connection between dads and their children.
Since launching its first chapters in 2022, 33 Irving ISD campuses – including 27 Title I schools – have hosted more than 484 All Pro Dad events, engaging 26,000 fathers, mothers, guardians, students and educators. This makes Irving ISD one of the largest and most active All Pro Dad networks in the state of Texas.
At the heart of this effort is Irving ISD Parent Education and Community Engagement Coordinator Cesar Pineda, with help from the district’s team of Parent Liaisons. They have integrated All Pro Dad into the district’s broader engagement strategy. Through monthly campus breakfasts and character-building activities, fathers across the district are finding meaningful ways to connect with their children and with each other.
“It proves that when we work together with purpose, great things happen for our families and kids,” says Pineda.
Pineda added that the impact of the All Pro Dad program has been transformative across campuses.
“Dads who were once quiet are now leading conversations, and some parents are even presenting the ADP curriculum themselves,” he says. “We try to make them feel like true partners in their child’s academic journey, not just guests in the room. My favorite part is the ‘I’m proud of you’ moment when kids and dads share why they’re proud of one another. It’s special, it’s quick, but it makes everyone’s day.”
Irving ISD Superintendent of Schools Magda A. Hernández highlighted that Irving ISD’s success in this initiative reflects a deeper culture of connection across the district.
“Strong family partnerships are essential to student success, and we are incredibly proud of how our fathers have stepped up to be present, involved and engaged,” says Superintendent Hernández. “Irving ISD is leading the way in showing that when parents and schools work together, students thrive – not just academically – but socially and emotionally as well.”
From early-morning cafeteria breakfasts to a standing ovation at AT&T Stadium, Irving ISD’s commitment to fatherhood and family engagement continues to strengthen connections, empower families and build a foundation where every child can succeed.
