COPPERAS COVE – Two educators in Copperas Cove have earned statewide honors for the efforts in enhancing the education of students in CCISD.
Crossroads High School principal Pat Crawley and Fairview/Jewell Elementary teacher Barbara Coleman were named the state’s Principal and Teacher of the Year, respectively, by the Texas Rural Education Association.
Coleman is a 5th-grade math teacher at Fairview/Jewell, not just mastering her content and earning a Master-level designation from Teacher Incentive Allotment. Coleman introduced an instructional technique “Building Thinking Classrooms,” which revolutionized her approach to teaching math.
Her approach encourages student discourse and creates a dynamic, collaborative learning environment. If you entered Ms. Coleman’s classroom, you would see a class buzzing with rich dialogue as students mentor each other and verbally justify their answers.
“Ms. Coleman’s dedication extends beyond her own classroom,” said Superintendent Dr. Brent Hawkins. “Her classroom has become a demonstration classroom for the district, welcoming teacher from other campuses to observe and learn from her innovative techniques. Her willingness to share her knowledge and passion for teaching has made her a mentor to many, both on her campus and throughout the district.”
Coleman, a veteran, is also active in the Copperas Cove community, volunteering with “Bountiful Baskets” to provide fresh produce and ensure families have healthy food options.
“I always tell my students, ‘Every day is a new day,’" Coleman said. “This is important to me, because we all want to be successful and keeping this in mind allows us to put our bad day behind us. This gives us a chance to rise above our challenges the next day, but if we do not put that bad day behind us, moving positively forward the next day is impossible.”
Crawley has been principal at CCISD’s non-tradition, at-risk high school campus since 2019 and has continued to increase the number of students graduating from the district.
During his tenure at Crossroads, Crawley has implemented options for students in Career & Technical Education, rare for non-traditional campuses, especially outside of major metropolitan areas. As part of that, he introduced the Inclusive Greenhouse Project & Farmers Market, which encompasses horticulture, business management and community engagement.
He has also revolutionized how the school functions. Crawley created a levels system, encouraging students to complete their work and be in school daily, with the goal for students to work in a relaxed, coffee shop-type environment. This system has boosted attendance by more than 25% and led to the largest graduation classes in Crossroads HS’s history, which dates back to 1995.
“I am incredibly proud of the campus I have the privilege to lead, from earning an "A" Rating from the TEA to being named a National Showcase School from Capturing Kids Hearts,” Crawley said. “The teachers and staff are the best and they make the campus shine under challenging circumstances, and this recognition is really a testament to the work they do every single day.”
As a former welder and HVAC technician, Crawley has built relationships with his students by drawing on his own real-world experiences.
“Under Mr. Crawley’s leadership, Crossroads has transformed from a campus with a ‘C’ rating to an ‘A’ campus,” Hawkins said. “His dedication to improve the school environment has made a noticeable and impactful difference, fostering a supporting, effective educational environment. With his leadership, Crossroads has continued to make a meaningful impact in the lives of so many students.”
Crawley also guided Crossroads High School to earning the prestigious Purple Star designation from the Texas Education Agency in 2023, recognizing the campus’ commitment to military-connected students and their families.
Both Crawley and Coleman will be recognized by the TREA at an awards ceremony in June.