TEPSA Election: Cooper Hilton

Candidate for TEPSA Vice President

Cooper Hilton
Coppell ISD
Region 10

Present Position

Principal, W.H. Wilson Elementary, Coppell ISD, Region 10, Early Childhood – 5th Grade

Formal Education

Masters – University of Texas at Arlington – Educational Leadership and Policy Studies
Bachelor of Arts – University of Dallas – Spanish Literature

Educational Leadership

Presenter at National Learning Forward Conference
Coppell ISD New Principal Mentor
Major improvement in staff retention at current campus
Presenter for TEPSA AP to Go Conference
Guest for TEPSA Presents with Todd Nesloney
Member of Coppell ISD Visioning Committee
Member of Coppell ISD Community-Based Accountability System Core Team

TEPSA Leadership/Involvement/Awards

Current Member of TEPSA Executive Committee – Member At-Large
Region 10 TEPSAN of the Year
Former Region 10 President-Elect
Former Advocacy Standing Committee Member
TEPSA Member – 12 years
TEPSA Summer Conference Session Reviewer

School Honors/Accomplishments

TEPSA Student Leadership Award
Great Expectations Model Campus
Two-Way Dual Language School – Growing learners that are Bilingual, Biliterate, & Bicultural

Community Involvement

Host of Coppell community COVID Vaccination Clinic
Ongoing school relationships with various community service organizations (Lions Club, American Heart Association, DFW Metrocrest Services)
Strong relationships with state legislators – including hosting “Principal for a Day” for current State Representative
Valley Creek Church
Voting Advocate – including multiple Capitol visits during legislative sessions

Other Professional Networks

Texas Principal Visioning Institute – Cohort 6
Member of TASA’s Texas Public Accountability Consortium (TPAC)
Unconscious Bias District Trainer
Apple Design Lab – Principal Consultant for app development

Personal Information

I have been married to my amazing wife Lauren (a former elementary teacher) for 13 years. We have 3 energetic boys (7 years, 5 years, and 3 years). My oldest is currently in 2nd grade in our home district of Denton ISD, and my second will begin kinder this coming year. We spend as much of our free time as we can camping! We are passionate about public education, cooking, and hiking.

Platform Statement

I have been proud to serve as a Member-At-Large on TEPSA’s Executive Committee for the past 2 years. I would be humbled and honored to continue my service as the incoming Vice President.

When I drafted my Platform Statement 2 years ago for my current position, I spoke about wanting to serve as an advocate for our association. I wanted to spotlight the amazing work happening in our schools, even in the face of the daily challenges Texas education leaders faced. Since then, the obstacles we tackle each day have only grown. Declining student enrollment, pandemic learning loss, and staffing shortages are new challenges affecting each of us.

Through these new obstacles, though, Texas kids and educators have continued to shine. There is important work for our association to do in supporting our members. As the incoming Vice President, you could count on me to be a strong, positive advocate for Texas kids and school leaders.

Great things are happening in Texas public schools. It is incumbent upon us as an organization and as school leaders to build relationships with legislators and state decision-makers. We must leverage these relationships and our voice to influence work at the state level and build support for our noble profession.

A single Principal has great influence within their school community. A TEPSA Principal has an even greater voice. I would love the opportunity to serve as your new Vice President and speak out for Texas kids and leaders.