CHS Teacher's Impact Goes Beyond the Classroom 

Last year a young man strolled into Mrs. Amber Hester’s Algebra classroom with the biggest heart, a love for life and the Oklahoma State Cowboys! They had an instant connection! Mrs. Hester describes him, “Adyn Surrett lights up every room he enters. His positivity and attitude to always strive for greatness are contagious. He doesn't let his disability define him or limit him.” 

 Adyn has been through so much and last year was hard on him, including major surgery at Shriners Hospital in St. Louis.  Mrs. Hester knew she wanted to do something special for him. So she reached out to her fellow teachers, who are POKES fans.  Her Zebra family came through -  Alan Douthitt had connections and put her in touch with Dave Hunziker. Hunziker coordinated with Coach Gundy and friends to send a little love to Adyn before his extensive surgery. They even hooked him up with some Cowboy swag and personalized video messages of encouragement.  

 After much waiting and anticipation, Adyn participated in the Remember The Ten run in Stillwater as a special guest! “This is extremely special to me because I was in school at OSU when the OSU men's basketball team lost ten members, and I remember it vividly, “ Mrs. Heaster added.  That moment left a lasting impression on her; we know participating in this run will always be part of Adyn’s life. 

 Mrs. Hester's job is to teach math curriculum, but her calling is to change lives.  All we know is when you connect a teacher's heart to a child's heart, you can change the world - one student at a time. 

He may or may not remember what he learned about quadratics or polynomials, but we know he will never forget he was loved when he was a student at CHS.  If you see Aydn get those pistols firing and give him a good “GO POKES,” - he’ll return the gesture with a smile that will make your day. 

 #CPSZEBRAPRIDE

Video credit:  Hailey Pickup, CPS Communications Intern