Cedar Hill ISD Third Period HOOPLA Winners Announced

The Cedar Hill Independent School District announced its third period Honoring Our Outstanding Paraprofessionals, Lead Educators and Administrators (HOOPLA) Award on Wednesday morning.

The honorees were Bessie Coleman Middle School Librarian Barbretta Baker, Waterford Oaks Elementary Second Grade Teacher Chantelle Brinson, Dr. Peggy M. Wilson STEM Center Engineering Teacher Dr. Mikos Smith and CHISD Executive Director of Innovation Tyesha Smith Lowe.

The honorees received a HOOPLA Banner and a $50 gift card, courtesy of the Cedar Hill ISD Education Foundation.

This is the final HOOPLA Award presentation as the district will present “Leadership Awards”, starting with the 2023-2024 school year.

Baker was nominated by her BCMS colleague, Orchestra Teacher Tiffany Mosley.

“Mrs. Baker goes far above and beyond her role as campus librarian,” Mosley said. “She is the epicenter of campus culture. Our hallways stay updated and decorated with monthly themes, celebrations, holidays and academic material in order to engage scholars, and that’s because of Mrs. Baker.”

Brinson was nominated by a parent of one of her WOE scholars.

“Ms. Brinson is fantastic – she is patient and works with the scholars, she’s very understanding and reasonable. She is a true gem,” the WOE parent wrote.

Smith and Lowe were nominated by CHISD Communications Coordinator Michael Sudhalter.

“Dr. Smith regularly goes on college tours – paying for gas, flight, lodging and meals out of his own pocket to research colleges and universities on behalf of his scholars,” Sudhalter said.

Lowe was nominated for her strength, resilience and leadership as she and the entire Cedar Hill community mourned her dear friend, Cedar Hill High School Principal TyShayla “Shay” Whittaker, after Whittaker’s tragic passing last month.

“Lowe, who has done so much for CHISD in terms of STEM, CTE and so many areas, led our educational community as we collectively mourned the passing of Mrs. Whittaker,” Sudhalter said.