The phone rings. A parent steps up to the counter. A student rushes in, holding a bloody tissue to their nose. 

In the middle of it all, CHS9 receptionist Bertha Moehlis remains calm, smiling as she handles each task with ease.

For six years, Moehlis has been the first face students, parents and visitors see when they walk through the CHS9 doors. She keeps the front office running smoothly, juggling phone calls, student needs and parent concerns.

“I call my job air traffic control,” Moehlis said. “I deal with a lot of incoming visitors, students, phone calls and questions.”

Before joining CHS9 in the spring of its opening year, Moehlis was a retired public school teacher and administrator. After her three children—Naomi (Booker T. Washington, Class of 2013), Amanda (Coppell High School, Class of 2017), and Jonathan (Coppell High School, Class of 2020)—graduated, she decided it was time for a new chapter where she could still work with students but not hold as much responsibility.

Her role is far from simple, however. On any given day, Moehlis can be seen checking in visitors, answering phone calls, assisting students and handling unexpected situations. 

Nonetheless, she manages it all with patience and ease.

“You have to kind of be settled and take care of one thing at a time,” Moehlis said.

Registrar Laura Odom, who works alongside Moehlis, recognizes her hard work and ability to manage the chaos the front desk can bring.

“She just handles it all with energy and poise and doesn’t get flustered,” Odom said. “She makes our office a very warm and inviting place to be, and, by extension, our school as well.”

Amidst the daily commotion, Moehlis values her ability to speak Spanish, aiding her in communicating with visitors. 

“One of the most rewarding parts is because I am bilingual, I’m able to help individuals, whether it’s a single parent or a family who is just monolingual and doesn’t understand our systems,” Moehlis said.

Principal Dr. Greg Axelson cites her undeniable value to the campus. He recalls the overwhelming positivity Moehlis exuded when first meeting her.

“When [Moehlis] came in, it was just like a tornado of excitement and hugs and screaming and joy,” Dr. Axelson said. “It was quite a moment, quite a day, quite a memory for me.”

Moehlis’s positive energy and hard work have earned her recognition at the district level, being one of the 10 Coppell ISD employees recognized at the Dec. 9 board meeting with a Fall 2024 GEM (Great Employees Matter) Award.

Moehlis’s kindness shines through in every interaction. Whether it is a warm greeting at the front desk or a small act of generosity, she always finds a way to make others feel valued.

“One time this guy that owns a pizza place walked in with two pizzas and, for some reason, he told [Moehlis] that you can just have this,” office aide Moksha Vijay said. “I was the only office aide that day and then we just shared the pizza and talked.”

For Moehlis, little moments of appreciation make her job even more special.

“Parents may recognize what we do in the front office,” Moehlis said. “They’ll follow up with a sweet note. Somebody even bought me an orchid one time.” 

Outside of work, Moehlis has several hobbies, including reading, gardening and camping.

“I love to read historical fiction at home. I love all things nature,” Moehlis said. 

 But no matter what she does, she starts each day with the same reminder.

“Everyone has a journey, and I do not know where that journey has taken them,” Moehlis said. “Be kind and have grace.”

Follow @CHSCampusNews on X.