Pinkerton Elementary School, Coppell’s first elementary school to offer the International Baccalaureate program, is leaving a lasting mark on the community. Pinkerton Principal Amanda Sweeney will move to Wilson Elementary for the 2025-26 school year, bringing the highly respected program with her.
Sweeney has held many titles during her nine years at Pinkerton: teacher, assistant principal and principal. She was a fourth grade teacher for four years and as an assistant principal for two, ultimately leading her to become the principal in 2022.
From a very early age, Sweeney knew she wanted to be an educator.
“I woke up every day, excited to go to school because I loved being there,” Sweeney said. “Teachers got to work with kids every day and you could see the relationships they were forming with their students. I wanted to be a part of that.”
Sweeney’s passion for the classroom is powered through the joy of students discovering their potential.
“Education allows you to make a meaningful impact, not just academically but in shaping who they become,” Sweeney said. “Seeing those lightbulb moments, the connections they make and being a part of their journey is truly fulfilling.”
Sweeney attended University of Central Florida for the bachelor’s degree in elementary education, and went to the University of North Texas for master’s degree in educational leadership.
Sweeney took part in the classroom as a fourth grade teacher at Pinkerton from 2015-2019, which benefited her to be a principal. Throughout her four years off teaching, she instilled many traditions within fourth grade, including secret Santa, survival day and a poetry cafe where parents come in and listen to their children reading poetry that they wrote.
“I took a lot of those things and made them on a bigger scale as a principal,” Sweeney said. “I took small events that were in my classroom and adjusted them so all the kids in the school could participate.”
Sweeney has developed a reputation as compassionate and looking at the larger picture. Her teachers said she has a well-rounded understanding of being a leader.
“Having a front row seat to her teaching, her role as an assistant principal and ultimately principal has made me so proud to work with her,” physical education teacher Colleen Michaelis said. “Mrs. Sweeney did a great job bridging the two positions.”
Sweeney values building relationships with students and their families. Michaelis has recognized her ability to connect with others.
“To be a good leader, one needs to be compassionate,” Michaelis said. “Mrs. Sweeney takes into consideration what her teachers and families may be dealing with in their own lives and people respect that about her. Mrs. Sweeney is always open to communicate and see things from everyone’s perspective.”
Sweeney pays attention to the needs and suggestions of the staff. STEAM teacher Michael Upchurch has worked with Sweeney for 10 years and seen the progression of her skills and how she advocates for her staff.
“An attribute that she has is creating simple and effective systems,” Upchurch said. “If something doesn’t work or is causing frustration she will work with the staff to find a solution and put a system in place so the school can be on the same page.”
Pinkerton’s closing impacted many within the community. In these hard times, Sweeney makes it her job to make a positive effect within the school.
“There are days that are emotional and, especially as we go through our last moments, I have to tell myself and remind myself that it is OK to be sad, too, at the same time,” Sweeney said.
Sweeney recognizes the difficulty of changing a curriculum that teachers are used to, and wants to assimilate both Pinkerton and Wilson culture together.
“That starts with getting a mission and a vision aligned together,” Sweeney said. “I’m trying to be very cognizant of how Pinkerton is losing a lot, but Wilson is also losing a lot too, having to change and evolve. I want to make sure that the teachers know and feel like they have a voice in this process.”
Sweeney’s continued support for the Pinkerton family is noticed.
“With the school closing this year, Sweeney has conducted herself with the utmost integrity, not just at big meetings, but while meeting teachers and families individually,” Michaelis said. “This has been a hard year to keep a positive spin on things and Sweeney’s resilience has trickled down to us all.”
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