Colleyville-Heritage High School (CHHS) art history teacher Toni Byam-Pirotte has been selected as the 2012 recipient of the Texas A&M University Inspiration Award for Exceptional Secondary Education. High school teachers are nominated to receive this award by former students who are about to graduate from Texas A&M.

“I was called to teach and I wholeheartedly believe that,” Byam-Pirotte said. “I’m not doing it for the money, but hearing words of affirmations from former students is like receiving a bonus check. I feel like I’ve just gotten a million-dollar bonus check!”

Byam-Pirotte was nominated for the award by Michael Preston, a 2009 CHHS graduate. As part of this recognition, Byam-Pirotte will have the honor of formally presenting Preston with his bachelor’s degree in psychology during the upcoming Commencement ceremonies. This is an honor normally reserved for the university’s president. 

Byam-Pirotte has been teaching for 24 years and helped open CHHS 17 years ago.

“I am so fortunate to be in a great district with great support,” Byam-Pirotte said. “Not only on the campus but the community as well. I couldn’t do all the things I want to do in my classroom without the amazing group of people around me, my students, their parents, and the community.”