Coppell Independent School District has been selected as one of only 15 employers in the country — and the only school district — to receive the 2025 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award, the highest recognition given by the U.S. government to employers supporting members of the National Guard and Reserve.
The honor comes after Lieutenant Colonel Esther Gomez Splawn, a Coppell High School special education teacher and member of the Marine Corps Reserves, nominated the district for its strong commitment to supporting employees who serve.
“Being recognized for the Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award by the Department of Defense is an incredible honor for Coppell ISD and a reflection of the deep commitment our district has to supporting those who serve,” said CISD Interim Superintendent Doug Williams. “The call to service, whether to our country or our community, is a powerful one, and our educators who serve in the reserves embody that call every day. They bring unique strengths, discipline and heart to their classrooms, their campuses and their military units. Through their dual service to children, community, and country, they are helping to shape a brighter future for us all.”
CISD Board of Trustees President David Caviness said the award reflects the district’s culture of service and dedication.
“Receiving the Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award is a profound recognition of the culture we’ve built in Coppell ISD, which is one that values service, character and commitment to others,” Caviness said. “Supporting our educators who serve in the military reserves not only strengthens our schools but also sets a powerful example for our students and our entire community. These employees’ dedication to both education and our nation is inspiring, and it reminds us that service comes in many forms. We are proud of the role Coppell ISD plays in honoring and empowering those who give so much of themselves to both the classroom and the country.”
This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Freedom Award, which began in 1996 under the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR). Nearly 1,700 nominations were submitted nationwide for the 2025 awards, which recognize employers that go above and beyond in supporting their employees serving in the Guard and Reserve.
Coppell ISD joins companies and agencies such as GE Aerospace, GM Financial and Kimberly-Clark Corporation as 2025 recipients. The district will be formally recognized by ESGR representatives in Texas later this year.
For more information about the Freedom Award, visit www.FreedomAward.mil.