Cedar Hill ISD Teen Superintendent

By Rachel Frost, Region 10 ESC Director of Communications

CEDAR HILL ISD Superintendent Dr. Gerald Hudson has a new leader on his team working to connect with scholars in a way that many adults often struggle to achieve. Her name is Skylar Wesley, and in addition to being a senior at Cedar Hill High School, she also serves as the district’s first Teen Superintendent.

Wesley’s responsibilities as Teen Superintendent include meeting regularly with the CHISD Communications Department and Dr. Hudson, and also creating content for social media that covers a wide variety of relevant topics. Last year, she also went on a Listening Tour across the district where she met with student leaders from each campus.

“The connection and the feedback that the Teen Superintendent is able to provide has been first-rate,” Dr. Hudson shared. “We’ve learned a great deal about the importance of having a reliable student voice and giving that student the support and encouragement to gradually develop her own voice in the role.”

Wesley will continue to serve as the Teen Superintendent until she graduates this spring.

Q&A With the Teen Superintendent

Q: Why did you apply to become the Teen Superintendent?

I was at school one day, scrolling through my email, and came across a letter about the position and chose to apply at that very moment. I was hoping that I’d get chosen for the position, but I didn’t expect to be. Therefore, when I started to make progress and became one of two finalists to be interviewed I was shocked. After my final interview, some time went by and I didn’t think I made it. It wasn’t until Dr. Hudson called me and delivered the great news that I had become the first Teen Superintendent of the Cedar Hill Independent School District.

Q: What does your role as Teen Superintendent involve?

As the Teen Superintendent, my role is to represent all scholars of CHISD. I visited the 12 campuses within our district and got to sit and chat with several students and was able to tour several of the schools. I attend and sometimes speak at school events around Cedar Hill and participate at board meetings for the district on behalf of scholars. When there’s something coming up during a week, I create news videos to be sent out to every scholar in the district. However, what is most important about my role, and this is also my goal, is to motivate and inspire all students to reach for the stars and make a difference in the world around them.

Q: How has this opportunity helped you grow as a leader?

This opportunity has helped me grow as a leader by building my confidence and being able to prove that my voice has power. Being Teen Superintendent has taught me to not be afraid to take risks and feel free to place my ideas on the table. The role has helped me be able to guide and help others through educating myself for possible questions someone may approach me with.

Q: What has been the most rewarding part of becoming the Teen Superintendent?

The most rewarding part of my position is knowing that I have inspired many students. From grades K-12, I have helped other students want to better themselves and know that they have the power to take a stand. I have had people reach out to me thanking me for what I have done and that I have positively impacted the scholars of each campus. It’s feedback like this that helps me continue to do what I do for those around me.

Q: What has been the most unexpected part of being the Teen Superintendent?

What came unexpected to me as Teen Superintendent was how much I was able to be involved in, and people I have met. For example, when running for the position, I was able to meet Dr. Hudson in-person for the first time, the Board of Trustees and more members of the district. While visiting campuses, I met the principles and administrators along with some of the top scholars of each campus as well. I was able to participate in many board meetings, award ceremonies, Longhorn Futures Committee meetings (even became a member along the way), and was chosen to deliver the Pledge of Allegiance at the 2022 graduation ceremony for both Collegiate Academy & High School and Cedar Hill High School.

Q: What have you learned about the school district after stepping into this role?

Since I’ve been in this position, I have learned that CHISD truly has the best interest in mind for every scholar. The Superintendent and Board of Trustees, as well as myself, are doing the best we can to better the campuses and invite more people into the school district. For example, we have a bond election going on to bring money into the district to better and build facilities for our scholars. We just want what’s best for our Cedar Hill family.

Q: What are your plans for the future?

As I prepare to leave high school and go into the next chapter of my life, I want to attend SMU for their prehealth program and Parker University for chiropractic. I want to become a chiropractor and hopefully own my own chiropractic office here in Dallas, TX one day. For more than a year now, I have been working as a Chiropractic Assistant Alternative Intern for my chiropractors Dr. Rebecca Tibbits and Dr. Yaxaira Almeida. Together they have helped me better my health and figure out what career I’d want to pursue in the medical field after high school.