Biography

Dinnah Escanilla has 34 years of experience in education, 27 of which were spent in public school settings. Prior to joining GPISD, she was a classroom teacher, Instructional Specialist, Science Curriculum Specialist, Dean of Instruction, Assistant Principal, and high school Principal in Dallas. She dedicated her entire career to ensuring that every student is given opportunities to learn at a higher level, regardless of the challenges surrounding them.

She received her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees from Notre Dame, and Master’s in Educational Leadership and PK-12 Principal Certification from UT Arlington. She completed the Certificate in Advanced Educational Leadership program at Harvard University Graduate School of Education.

She received several accolades in her career as an educator. She was recognized as Most Outstanding High school Principal in 2014 by the Association of Hispanic Schools Administrators, a finalist for Most Outstanding Assistant Principal in 2010 by the Dallas School Administrators Association and Dallas ISD; and Teacher of the Year Excellence Award in 1999 and 2002 awarded by the Dallas Chamber of Commerce.

Dinnah Escanilla is an avid traveler who loves to learn about different cultures and traditions around the world. She has a daughter who graduated from NYU and Columbia University in New York.