Wylie ISD Celebrates Staff, Service and a Year of Bulldog Pride
Wylie ISD staff members gathered at the Wylie Performing Arts Center for the district’s end-of-year meeting, closing the school year with celebration, reflection and appreciation for the people who serve students across the district each day.
The annual gathering gave staff an opportunity to celebrate their peers, recognize milestone years of service, honor retirees and look back on a year filled with student success, district growth and meaningful moments across Wylie ISD.
Superintendent Joey Light opened his remarks by thanking employees throughout the district, reminding staff that education is more than a profession - it is a calling. He recognized the work of teachers, paraprofessionals, bus drivers, custodians, cafeteria staff, counselors, nurses, office personnel, maintenance teams, technology staff, administrators and security staff, saying each played a role in helping students learn, grow and reach important milestones this year.
Light also took time to remember Lupe Garcia, a valued member of the Wylie ISD family who passed away earlier in the school year. Garcia served as an aide at Wylie West Intermediate and as a bus driver. Light said Garcia loved his job and loved Wylie students, and he praised the compassion shown across the district during a difficult time.
The meeting included service awards recognizing employees who reached milestones of 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35 years with Wylie ISD. Employees honored ranged from those completing their first five years with the district to Shauni Vaughn, who was recognized for 35 years of service.
Wylie ISD also celebrated campus Teachers of the Year, including Lacey Kennedy, Amy Hess, Tammara Lackey, Lisa Boeshart, Julie Brown, Jeanette Rodriguez, Stephanie Barham and Holly Kirby. Jo Gipson was recognized as Wylie ISD Bus Driver of the Year and received a special trophy from the Transportation Department.
One of the most emotional moments of the morning came during the recognition of retirees. Lisa Bessent, longtime leader at Wylie West Elementary, was recognized for her service to the district and received a standing ovation from the crowd. Moments later, Light surprised staff by also announcing the retirement of her husband, Assistant Superintendent Craig Bessent. He praised Craig Bessent’s years of leadership as a high school assistant principal, intermediate principal and assistant superintendent, as well as his work in school safety, security, the marshal program and district operations. Craig Bessent also received a standing ovation from the crowd.
Additional retirees recognized during the meeting included Melinda Bacon, Dee Dee Baker, Meyra Davison, Brack Jones, Lillian Jones, Phil Lopez, Sylvia Martinez, Sandra Merck, Christina Mora and Harold Salmon. Their years of service represented decades of dedication to Wylie students, campuses and families.
Light also looked ahead to several leadership transitions for the 2026-27 school year. He announced that Liz Carey will become the new principal at Wylie West Elementary, Hillary Hernandez will become principal at Wylie East Intermediate, Ricky Bacon will assume more district-level facilities responsibilities and move into an assistant superintendent role, Reagan Berry will become Director of Federal and State Programs, and TiAda Radtke will lead Wylie High School as principal.
As he reflected on the year, Light pointed to several major projects and opportunities ahead for Wylie ISD, including continued construction at Wylie High School, expansion of the band hall, additional classrooms with an emphasis on Career and Technical Education, storm shelter gyms, athletic dressing rooms, the second phase of Wylie East Intermediate and the upcoming opening of Wylie South Elementary.
Following the end-of-year meeting, staff were also treated to the 5th Annual Wylie School Board Staff Appreciation Burger Burn. Members of the Wylie ISD School Board, along with the Wylie West Junior High Student Council, served burgers to employees as a final thank-you before summer break.
The annual event has become a special tradition and a meaningful way to show appreciation for the teachers and staff who pour into students throughout the year. Wylie ISD also extends a heartfelt thank-you to the local businesses that help make the Burger Burn possible each year, including The Shed Market, Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages, United Supermarkets on South 14th Street, MOOYAH Burgers, Fries & Shakes, R Lux, The Mill, Jay’s BBQ Shack, Teapioca Lounge, First Financial Bank Texas and Abilene South Chick-fil-A.
Their generosity, servant hearts and continued support help make this celebration possible for Wylie ISD staff year after year.
The meeting closed with a reminder for staff to rest, recharge and enjoy time with family and friends over the summer. Light thanked employees for their dedication, professionalism and heart, ending with a familiar message for the Wylie family: “It’s great to be a Wylie Bulldog.”
From staff recognitions and standing ovations to burgers served with gratitude, the day was a fitting reminder of the people, partnerships and Bulldog pride that make Wylie ISD special.
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