Courtesy of DISD
Asia Charles-Simms, middle school orchestra teacher at Solar Preparatory School for Girls, won the Choice/Magnet Teacher of the Year award, sponsored by the Dallas Education Foundation at the DISD 2026 State of the District on May 5.
Charles-Simms founded the school’s orchestra program and has more than doubled enrollment since the first year. The orchestra earned recognition at the 2024-2025 UIL Concert and Pride of Texas. Her students often placed in all-city and all-region orchestras, and many have been accepted to Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts.
She also leads performances in collaboration with the theatre department to highlight Black History Month and Hispanic History Month. In addition to teaching, Charles-Simms mentors colleagues, serves as region coordinator for concert orchestra and invests in fine arts programs across the United States.
