Irving ISD has always been an early adopter of technology, implementing one of the first-ever 1:1 high school laptop programs in the early 2000s and continuing to be at the forefront of innovation. Lady Bird Johnson Middle School, opened in 2011, was the first net-zero school in Texas, generating energy from its rooftop solar panels and turbines. 

Because of the efforts made by Superintendent Magda Hernández, the Board of Trustees and other district leaders to close infrastructure gaps of devices and internet access, classrooms across the district have been transformed into technology-rich and instructionally progressive spaces that students want to learn in. 

Largely due to the culture of innovation built into the campus, the office of Rep. Marc Veasey chose Lady Bird Johnson Middle School to host a roundtable discussion on August 15, highlighting the positive impact that closing the digital divide has had in and out of the classrooms across North Texas. 

The day began with a tour of the campus, where Rep. Veasey and Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Commissioner Geoffrey Starks witnessed firsthand the innovative technology integrated into the curriculum and classrooms, including the state-of-the-art Verizon Innovative Learning Lab. These innovative learning spaces are available at all middle and high schools campuses in Irving ISD. 

Following the tour, participants discussed the partnerships, federal programs and infrastructure needed to support equitable access to technology, internet and workforce readiness. “I want to give a special shout out to Irving ISD for opening up our classrooms. Our commissioner had the opportunity to see the innovation that’s taking place here in our amazing public schools. We’re here to uplift a very important success story that has positively impacted many students, families and households,” says Rep. Veasey. 

Panelists included Congressman Veasey and Commissioner Starks, city and private company representatives from across the metroplex, and Dr. Lisa Castillo, Chief Learning Officer for Irving ISD, who says, “We thrive on the vision of our superintendent, Ms. Magda Hernández, and how she uplifts how we serve students, and how we serve our teachers… It’s not enough for us to put devices in student’s hands, it’s critical that they know how to use those devices and our teachers know how to enhance the education of our students, as we progress through education from PreK all the way up through their senior year. We want our students leaving Irving ISD prepared for the future.”