The Coppell Independent School District (CISD) Board of Trustees honored the Fall 2024 Great Employees who Matter (GEM) award recipients during the Dec. 9 Board Meeting. These exceptional individuals were celebrated for their extraordinary dedication, innovative contributions, and unwavering commitment to their students, colleagues and campuses.
Evan Baker – Town Center Elementary
Evan Baker, a Special Education Teacher at Town Center Elementary, was recognized for his exceptional ability to create a calm, supportive learning environment for his students. Known for his expertise in de-escalating challenging situations, Baker ensures that every child feels heard, valued, and respected, even during the most difficult moments. His dedication extends beyond classroom management, fostering emotional and behavioral growth that enables students to thrive.
Liset Whaley – Mockingbird Elementary
As the ESL Teacher at Mockingbird Elementary, Liset Whaley plays a vital role in bridging language gaps for emergent bilingual students and their families. When a newcomer family recently joined the school, she went above and beyond to implement translation tools and strategies, empowering both students and staff to communicate effectively. Her efforts have not only eased transitions for new families but also exemplified inclusivity and the district’s core values.
Michelle Bass and Katie Webb – CMS North and CMS East
Librarians Michelle Bass and Katie Webb were celebrated for their creation of the Feeder Readers Book Club program, which connected students from middle and elementary schools through a shared reading experience. Their initiative, focused on “The Wild Robot” by Peter Brown, fostered a love of reading while strengthening community ties. Their dedication to planning and executing the program exemplified their commitment to building authentic relationships across campuses.
Also recognized were the elementary school librarians in the CMS North and CMS East feeder patterns:
Jodie McConnell, Austin Elementary
Cynthia Alaniz, Cottonwood Creek Elementary
Lilly Monson, Denton Creek Elementary
Skye Bryant, Lakeside Elementary
Meghan Hunt, Pinkerton Elementary
Julie Mosty, Mockingbird Elementary
Kate Mancuso, Town Center Elementary
Autumn Segovia, Wilson Elementary
Ricki Rodriguez and Angela Knipe – Denton Creek Elementary
STEAM Teacher Ricki Rodriguez and Music Teacher Angela Knipe were honored for their leadership during a transitional period at Denton Creek Elementary. With a new principal and schedule in place, the duo took the initiative to develop a vibrant morning announcements program. Their collaboration ensured that each day started on a positive and engaging note, showcasing their creativity and dedication to the school community.
Bertha Moehlis – CHS9
As the receptionist at CHS9, Bertha Moehlis has become the heart of her campus, welcoming students, staff, and visitors with warmth and genuine care. Her ability to make everyone feel like family has had a lasting impact on the campus culture. Her dedication to building connections and solving problems embodies what it means to be a GEM.
Ed Hall – Richard J. Lee Elementary
Coach Ed Hall, a Physical Education Teacher at Richard J. Lee Elementary, was recognized for his dedication to supporting students’ physical and emotional well-being. His one-on-one work with a student struggling with emotional regulation has been transformative, showcasing his mentorship and commitment to fostering growth both inside and outside the gym.
Josna Joseph – Richard J. Lee Elementary
Paraprofessional Josna Joseph’s innovative approach to creating personalized, multi-sensory learning tools for medically fragile students set her apart as a GEM honoree. Her creative use of technology to design interactive books has opened new avenues for engagement and learning, ensuring that every student feels seen and valued.