On Thursday, an unplanned, wary visit from a boss for Kara Lindquist turned into bursts of confetti, CHS9 Silver Stars and cheerleaders lining the campus exit with pom poms in hand, along with teachers, school board members, and family members.
“I was in shock,” Lindquist said. “[Principal Dr. Greg Axelson] had come to my room, and said, ‘Hey, can I talk to you real quick?’ and I was a bit nervous. I then stepped out of my room and saw everything. It was so overwhelming but in a really powerful, good way.”
Lindquist was named Coppell ISD’s Secondary Teacher of the Year for 2024-25. She is the first teacher from CHS9 to receive this honor in five years.
Alongside Lindquist, Pinkerton Elementary School teacher Michael Upchurch was selected as Coppell ISD’s Elementary Teacher of the Year.
Lindquist was named CHS9’s Teacher of the Year on Dec. 6, advancing to the decision for District Teacher of The Year by a selection committee. She was selected out of five secondary Teacher of the Year recipients.
“There’s that shock value with both recognitions,” Lindquist said. “ For getting campus teacher of the year, having that appreciation from your campus meant a lot, but for the district, the achievements and things that I’m doing are not just being seen within my own campus; they’re also being seen at a district level and a community level. It just feels so much bigger.”
District Secondary Teacher of the Year selection process includes an interview process with the selection committee, classroom observation and submission of multiple essays.
Lindquist approached these analyses of her teaching by focusing on her personal growth as an educator, treating it as a reflection of her seven years in education, and how she adapts to her students for their growth.
“I told myself that I was going to take this as an opportunity to reflect on myself and where I’m at right now, and see where that takes me rather than trying to write answers a specific way.” Lindquist said. “Since I work within special education, my teaching and pedagogy are really focused on the individual needs of my students and ensuring those are met not just within my classroom, but also out in the community as well. It’s all about celebrating those growths as well and building that confidence level throughout the year.”
As CHS9 special education department head, Lindquist prioritizes creating accessible opportunities for her students with special needs. Through projects, such as writing a grant for Coppell ISD to get adaptable P.E. equipment in the campus gyms, she finds joy in creating ways for her students to gain new experiences.
“It just makes me smile, seeing those materials and actions, and seeing my students being able to participate in a skill or a game that they previously would not have been able to,” Lindquist said. “I just love seeing them happy and seeing them being able to really engage in that curriculum.”
Her energy does not go unnoticed by the people around her. In her tireless efforts to shape the best education for her students, Lindquist serves as a beacon of inspiration to those observing.
“She’s incredible with her kids,” assistant principal Jessica Lynch said. “She creates processes and structures for her team that really help us out as administrators, but also things that help our teachers in order to support all of the special education kids on our campus. She just goes above and beyond with every little thing that she does.”
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