By Sara Medina, Director, Education & Workforce
Average reading time: 3.5 minutes
This year marks the 25th anniversary of Principal for a Day (PFAD), a joint program between Dallas Independent School District (ISD) and the Dallas Regional Chamber that connects business and community leaders with Dallas ISD schools. Since its inception, PFAD has allowed thousands of business executives, elected officials, and community leaders to spend a day in the life of a Dallas ISD principal – getting an inside look at the development of the future workforce and how companies can help.
From idea to action: PFAD’s grassroots beginnings
The first PFAD was hosted with help from Leadership Dallas (LD), the DRC’s flagship leadership development program. Jon Dahlander, then-Executive Director of Communication Services for Dallas ISD and a member of the 1999 LD class, was inspired by a similar initiative in New York City and brought the idea to his classmates.
Dahlander’s LD cohort comprised the initial group of guest principals, alongside other corporate leaders and elected officials. Though modest in size and without sponsors, that first event made a strong impact—participants shared powerful reflections that reinforced the value of Dallas ISD and a commitment to supporting public education.
A Model of Corporate Engagement
Over the years, PFAD has become much more than just an observational day—it has sparked long-term investments and forged meaningful partnerships across Dallas ISD, one of the region’s leading talent incubators serving nearly 140,000 students and over 22,000 staff members across 240 campuses.
Take Capital One for example, the presenting sponsor of PFAD since 2010. Capital One’s longstanding partnership has significantly shaped Dallas ISD’s corporate engagement. What began as classroom visits during PFAD has evolved into programs like financial literacy courses.
“As a partner of 15 years running, we continue to embrace the opportunity to better understand what makes a quality education and do what we can to ensure Dallas students thrive now and into the future,” said Jorge Calderon, Dallas Market President at Capital One.
Connecting real-world experiences to education policymaking
Beyond the corporate community, PFAD has drawn participation from elected officials from city, state, and federal offices. Some notable participants include Texas Senator Royce West, U.S. Congressmen Pete Sessions and Marc Veasy, and former Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings, among many others.
Their presence in Dallas ISD schools not only demonstrates confidence in public education but also helps inform policymaking by providing a real-world experience.
“We need our elected officials to have a real understanding of our strengths and our needs,” said Dahlander, now Chief of Partnerships and Intergovernmental Relations for Dallas ISD. “That way, they can advocate for us where it matters most.”
PFAD has also brought professional athletes to Dallas ISD schools, including former Dallas Cowboy Brandon Carr, Arike Ogunbowale from the Dallas Wings, and Kenny Cooper from FC Dallas. Executive leadership from the Texas Rangers, the Dallas Mavericks, and the Dallas Stars have joined in, too.
Beyond the office door: 25 years of community connection
For 25 years, PFAD has given Dallas’s leaders a clearer picture of the strengths and challenges facing public education. Through classroom observations, student conferences, and earnest discussions with school administrators, participants walk away with a deeper understanding of the students, educators, and systems that shape the Dallas Region.
“[PFAD participants] can talk from experience because they’ve actually walked into school and spent a moment getting to know what’s really going on – understanding the students we serve, the dedication of our teachers, and the various programs we offer,” said Dahlander. “It’s a one-of-a-kind opportunity for us to do that. I’m really pleased that the program has continued on for 25 years.”
As we look to the next 25 years, the goal is simple: continue building meaningful relationships between schools and the business community. Because when leaders from all sectors come together to support our students, everyone wins.
The 2025 Principal for a Day program will be hosted on Wednesday, October 29, throughout Dallas ISD. To learn more about the program and how you can get involved, attend our virtual Information Session on Thursday, Aug. 7. Please contact Sara Medina, Director of Education & Workforce for the DRC, at smedina@dallaschamber.org with all other questions or concerns.