Dana DeLoach is one of the few teachers who has been at Coppell High School longer than I have. She made quite an impression on me when I first arrived, and served as Team Lead on our Geometry team in my earlier years. Since then, we have worked side-by-side, we have been hallmates in two different parts of the building, and we have learned a lot from each other over the last seventeen years. We share stories of those who have come and gone, and how education as a whole has changed over time.

Recently, we worked together on AP Calculus BC. And while things got frustrating enough for her to repeatedly exclaim, “You’re killin’ me, VanderSchee!” we were both on the same page as to how we should approach meaningful learning in our classes.

Her love of teaching and her love of students are to be greatly admired. It is clear that she enjoys teaching math to young minds and enjoys getting to know the variety of personalities in her classes. And no matter how challenging the work environment gets, she is consistently cheerful and positive, with a lively laugh that can be heard clear down the hall.

I have so many fond memories of working with Dana, and I know there will be many more in the years to come. Her students are lucky to have her as their teacher, and I’m equally lucky to have her as a friend.