Plano ISD Proud

Harriet Chiang
Food and Nutritional Services

Nominated by Director for FANS Ashley Hipp, Harriet has been a dedicated and impactful member of our FANS team for 16 years. Her journey from Kitchen Manager to her current role as Specialist of Compliance and Technology is a powerful reflection of her leadership, growth and commitment to serving our students and staff.

Harriet’s foundation began on the front lines at Plano East Senior High, where she set a high standard of excellence and built a strong, supportive team culture. That experience continues to shape her work today, allowing her to lead with empathy and a true understanding of the needs of campus staff.

In her current role, Harriet serves as a vital resource for kitchen managers across the district. She not only helps them navigate complex systems with confidence, but also builds meaningful relationships by ensuring each person feels supported and heard.

Her work is also critical behind the scenes. Harriet manages compliance and financial processes with integrity and precision, while also working closely with families to ensure students have access to the meals and support they need. Her ability to balance technical expertise with genuine care for people is truly remarkable.

Harriet is a problem-solver, a leader, and an advocate whose work makes a difference every single day. She represents the very best of Plano ISD.

Congratulations, Harriet, and thank you for your dedication and heart for our students, families and staff. 

Robert Adler
Schimelpfenig Middle School
Science Teacher

Nominated by his Principal Kristen Kinnard, Robert has been a cornerstone of the Plano ISD community for 25 years, having served at both Carpenter Middle School and Schimelpfenig Middle School, and his impact reaches far beyond the science classroom. He doesn’t just teach science—he brings it to life. Through engaging, real-world lessons and a dynamic approach to instruction, he sparks curiosity in his students and inspires them to explore, question, and learn at a deeper level.

Robert is also an exceptional mentor to his colleagues. New teachers quickly discover that they can rely on him for guidance, encouragement, and wisdom. He leads by example, generously sharing his expertise and helping others grow in confidence and skill.

What truly sets Robert apart is his presence. Known as the “calm in the storm,” he brings a steady, positive energy to everything he does. In a busy middle school environment, he is a source of consistency and support for both students and staff.

Above all, Robert is deeply committed to his students. He approaches each one with empathy and care, ensuring they feel supported, valued, and capable of success. His students know he has their back—and that makes all the difference.

Robert Adler truly embodies the spirit of Plano ISD. We are grateful for his dedication, his leadership, and the lasting impact he makes every day.

Cathy Stipanovic
Mathews Elementary School
Office Manager

Nominated by Principal Wendy Miller, Cathy makes a meaningful difference in the lives of the Mathews Mavericks each and every day. She is often the first person families encounter, and she sets the tone with warmth, patience, and genuine care—ensuring that every student, parent, and visitor feels welcomed and valued from the moment they walk through the door.

Her impact extends well beyond the front office. Cathy is a steady source of support for staff, whether she is helping a colleague navigate a difficult time, troubleshooting administrative needs, or working tirelessly behind the scenes to secure substitutes and keep classrooms running smoothly.

She also brings a deep sense of responsibility and pride to her work. From managing financial processes with precision to ensuring campus operations run seamlessly—even on the busiest days—Cathy’s attention to detail is exceptional. She notices the little things that make a big difference in creating a positive learning environment for students.

What truly sets Cathy apart is her commitment to growth. In just her first year, she mastered complex systems and approached every challenge with curiosity, determination, and a desire to learn.

Cathy embodies what it means to serve with heart, excellence, and dedication. We are proud to celebrate her and grateful for the lasting impact she has on her school community.
 

Facilities Department

Plano ISD leadership recognizes and expresses sincere appreciation for the incredible work of our Plano ISD Facilities Department during the month of January, which included freezing temperatures and extended school closures due to icy conditions and treacherous roadways throughout our city and district.

While our students stayed safe at home, these dedicated individuals were out in the elements, working around the clock to keep our schools safe and operational. They responded to water outages, pipe breaks, HVAC failures, power interruptions and countless other issues that arose during the extreme weather. Their expertise, perseverance and commitment ensured that our facilities remained in good working order and ready to welcome the safe return of our students and staff.

Their work often happens behind the scenes, but its impact is felt across every campus and by every member of our district and community. Simply put, Plano ISD could not function without them.

To our Facilities team: thank you for your tireless efforts, your constant professionalism and your steadfast dedication to serving our district—even in the very toughest conditions. You truly are the unsung heroes of Plano ISD, and we are deeply grateful for all that you do. You make all of us Plano ISD Proud.

Facility Services staff members who were recognized include:

• Alberto Rodriguez
• Alex Hernandez
• Ariel Rojas
• Armando Rico Urvina
• Brett Paetti
• Canice Egbim
• Carlos Campos (Pictured)
• Carlos Ortiz (Pictured)
• Christian Harris
• Clinton Whitehill
• Corey Williams
• Cruz Fernandez
• Daniel Houseworth
• Dennys Hermosa
• Donald Mischen
• Drake Gingery
• Ericson Valdez
• Fernando Torres
• Fransisco Arroyo
• Garrison Goode
• Gerardo Villegas
• Hector Villanueva (Pictured)
• Ivan Trtanj (Pictured)
• James Adams (Pictured)
• Jerwin Pena
• Jesus Frias (Pictured)
• Joaquin Zavala (Pictured)
• John Moore
• Johnathan Moreno
• Jorge Maldonado
• Jose Rodriguez
• Jose Valdez
• Jose Vargas (Pictured)
• Jose Vergara-Carillo
• JD Diego Martines
• Juan Largaespada
• Julio Borja
• Kyle Lee
• Lloyd Hart
• Mike Rogers
• Monica Smith
• Rafael Ramirez
• Ricardo Ortiz
• Roger Laguna
• Saber Noorishokri
• Sergio Lopez
• Shawn TAwney
• Sony Diaz
• Triet Nguyen
• Victor Wolf (Pictured)
• Xavier Blackwell

Kelly Cisneros
Jackson Elementary Receptionist

Kelly, who was nominated by her principal AntreShawn Buhl, is known for the warmth, professionalism and genuine care she brings to every interaction. She is described as someone who listens with empathy and builds trust through understanding — qualities that set the tone for the entire Jackson community. Through her calm presence and dedication to service, Kelly reminds us that true leadership is rooted in connection and kindness. Kelly, thank you for representing Jackson Elementary and Plano ISD with such heart.

Jason Luttrell
Technology Operations & Repairs Team

Nominated by Dan Savage, Coordinator of Technology Operations, Jason is known for his strong work ethic and outstanding customer service. His colleagues say he’s always there when it matters most— especially during crunch time — approaching every challenge with calm professionalism and a can-do spirit.Recently, he went above and beyond to support our Communications Department, ensuring every need was met and every detail handled with care. Jason’s dedication and teamwork make him an invaluable part of our district.

Dorrian Holmes
Barron Elementary Teacher

Dorrian’s work is guided by a deep and genuine sense of caring. For him, teaching is his calling. He connects with students on a personal level, making sure each one knows they matter and that their voices are heard. That same compassion extends to his colleagues. Dorrian listens with empathy, offers encouragement, and creates a culture of trust and collaboration among his peers. He is a humble leader who serves with kindness, empowers others with a gentle hand and lifts everyone around him.
 

Rosie Renteria
Student Records Specialist 

Nominated by her supervisor Rebeca Garcia, Rosie has been pivotal in supporting our campus clerical staff as they learn our new student information system, Skyward Q. She embodies our pillar of Cultivating by coaching campus registrars with an approach that is both empathetic and empowering. Her passion for training is evident in the way she ensures every participant walks away with not only a deep understanding of the system, but also a clear sense of the importance and impact of their work. Rosie’s efforts have been instrumental in helping registrars recognize the value of their role and the difference they make. Rosie inspires and motivates those around her to reach their full potential. She builds meaningful relationships through her work and has become a cornerstone of our success in technology training. Simply put, we could not achieve the same level of success without her dedication and commitment to excellence.

Grant Wilson 
Coordinator of Counseling Services

Nominated by his supervisor Laura Zimmer, Grant truly embodies Plano ISD’s vision: “Committed to Excellence, Dedicated to Caring, Powered by Learning, Plano ISD Proud.” He has taken ownership of supporting Skyward, championing its use with counselors and providing hands-on support to campuses. His beginning of the year visits to middle schools to help fix schedules and attendance eased significant anxiety, and showed his attention to detail and care for staff and students. Grant’s collaborative approach to solving problems is remarkable. He spends time on campuses with counselors and administrators, working alongside them to ensure solutions are practical and effective while keeping students at the heart of decisions. Campuses and departments have expressed gratitude for his proactive mindset, noting how refreshing it is to have a true partner in thinking through challenges. Grant also reflects the Plano ISD Leadership Profile by building strong relationships, modeling teamwork, and fostering shared ownership of success. His ability to combine technical expertise with compassion and collaboration demonstrates the leadership qualities we value across the district. For his dedication, problem-solving, and partnership, Grant exemplifies what it means to be Plano ISD Proud. 

Shari Hopkins
Jasper HIgh School Office Manager

Nominated by her principal, Brooks Baca, Shari Hopkins is truly the backbone of our campus. She keeps things running behind the scenes in ways most people never see, and she does it all with professionalism, kindness, and a deep sense of pride in our school. She builds strong relationships with everyone she works with—students, staff, families, and district departments—and she communicates with clarity and care, even in high-pressure situations. Whether it’s helping a parent who’s upset, supporting a staff member with a time-sensitive need, or figuring out a behind-the-scenes issue before anyone else even knows it exists, she handles it all with calm confidence and a problem-solving mindset. Shari’s path to Jasper is part of what makes her so special. She started as a PISD parent, then became a substitute teacher before working at the Solomon Center, moving on to Plano West, and eventually joining us here at Jasper. She understands our system, our students, and our people and she brings all of that experience to her role every day. She’s incredibly organized and efficient, but what really sets her apart is how much she cares. She takes time to listen, support others, and make sure everyone feels taken care of. She’s the kind of person who doesn’t just get the job done - she makes people’s day better while doing it. Our staff recognized that right away and after just one year on campus, she was voted the Heart of Jasper Award winner, and it couldn’t have been more deserved. Over the summer, she also used her natural knack for design to completely rework and refresh our front office - it now feels calm, professional, and welcoming, which is exactly how she makes people feel when they walk in. And if all that weren’t enough, she also bakes amazing treats for the staff throughout the year, just one more way she shows love and appreciation to the people around her. Shari doesn’t ask for recognition, but she absolutely deserves it. She leads by example, sets a high bar for herself, and makes Jasper better in a hundred small ways every single day. We’re lucky to have her, and I’m proud to nominate her for the Plano ISD Proud award.

Brinkley Collins
Hedgcoxe Elementary School Special Education Team Leader

It is with great pride and deep respect that her Principal, Kristi Graham and Assistant Principal, Alex Casado, recommended Brinkley for recognition through for the Plano ISD Proud award. Brinkley does not lead for titles or accolades—she leads to inspire, to serve, and to make an impact on every student and colleague she encounters. Her unwavering commitment to education and her selfless approach to leadership make her an exceptional candidate for this honor. At the beginning of the school year, Brinkley stepped into the role of interim Special Education Team Leader during a time of transition. She did so not for recognition, but to ensure consistency and direction for her team. As the semester unfolded, she quickly became an indispensable mentor and resource for new and veteran teachers alike. Her ability to build relationships and foster trust created a collaborative environment that elevated the entire team. Beyond managing responsibilities across multiple new campus units, Brinkley serves as a tireless advocate for students and staff. She actively bridges the gap between campus and district resources,
ensuring that student needs—both academic and emotional—are met with urgency and care. Her leadership extends far beyond the boundaries of her role, providing unwavering support to the entire Hedgcoxe community. Brinkley’s impact reaches beyond students. She has become a pillar of support for her colleagues, guiding them with humility, experience, and insight. Beginning her career as a special education paraprofessional, she has grown into a highly respected leader—one who leads by example and uplifts others along the way. It is rare to encounter an educator whose influence is felt so deeply across every facet of a school community. Brinkley exemplifies servant leadership, and her work stands as a testament to the
power of dedication, compassion, and quiet excellence. With full confidence and the highest regard, I strongly recommend Brinkley for this well-deserved recognition.