ARLINGTON, Texas – July 1, 2024 – The Texas Trust Credit Union second annual Golden Gratitude Giveaway honored three exceptional teachers who are creating a pathway to brighter financial futures for their students.

The winners were selected from nominations made by educators, parents, and students. The Golden Gratitude Giveaway includes two “golden” tickets to every public performance at the Texas Trust CU Theatre in Grand Prairie through May 2025 for each honoree.

Two of the Golden Gratitude winners are from HEB ISD and the other is from Cedar Hill.

Jayson Wiles with HEB ISD is exceptional in many ways, according to those who nominated him. He is described as a skilled teacher with a special knack for connecting with disciplinary students within the district’s Alternative Education Program (AEP). Wiles is known for his dedication to helping students successfully navigate through personal difficulties while teaching them how to overcome their mistakes and successfully finish school and graduate.

Wiles is well respected by his peers for the work he does with students to get them on the right path so that each student is able to succeed despite the circumstances that led them to the AEP campus.

HEB ISD’s Viridian Elementary School is home to Golden Gratitude winner Breanna Bays. Besides being a phenomenal fifth grade teacher, Bays was nominated for going above and beyond the classroom to make a positive difference within the school and community. She leads many of the school’s extracurricular programs, such as the student Running Club and Student Council. She also has leadership roles on various committees and has been instrumental in helping create a school environment that builds character, empowers academic excellence, fosters school spirit, and promotes a positive culture.

The third Golden Gratitude winner is Cedar Hill High School’s assistant theater director Tianta Harrison. Nominated by a student, Harrison’s teaching abilities and leadership led the theater department to scoring a school record of nine nominations at the Broadway Dallas High School Theatre Awards this year. Harrison has been in the education field for 10 years and part of the Dallas entertainment scene for more than 25 years.

“These teachers were selected as the Golden Gratitude winners based on their exceptional dedication and commitment to making a positive difference in their students’ lives, schools and communities,” said Heidi Hardy, Vice President of Public Relations at Texas Trust Credit Union. “These teachers go above and beyond their work in the classroom to inspire and uplift their students so they can succeed.”

This year’s winners are highly distinguished and award-winning teachers. In addition to being named a Golden Gratitude winner, Wiles and Harrison both received Teacher of the Year awards from their respective districts. Bays was named a finalist for the Teacher of the Year.

About Texas Trust Credit Union

Texas Trust Credit Union has been helping build brighter financial futures since its modest beginning in 1936. Today, the full-service credit union serves more than 133,000 members. With assets of more than $1.8 billion, Texas Trust is the 6^th largest credit union in North Texas and the 17^th largest in Texas. With a focus on the community, Texas Trust is creating a legacy of giving through generous financial donations that support local school programs and activities, non-profit organizations, and student scholarships; and by providing volunteer resources through its Community Unity team, which supports scores of charitable events each year. For more information, visit TexasTrustCU.org or follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/texastrustcu or Twitter at @texastrustcu.

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Picture captions:

1: Jayson Wiles (right) with HEB ISD received his Golden Gratitude award from Kaitlin Lange at Texas Trust Credit Union.

2: Danielle McCoy from Texas Trust (right) presented Breanna Bays (left) from HEB ISD’s Viridian Elementary School with two “Golden” tickets for a year’s worth of concerts at the Texas Trust Credit Union Theatre in Grand Prairie.

3: Tianta Harrison (right) Cedar Hill High School’s Assistant Theater Director was one of three educators to win two “Golden” tickets for a year of performances at the Texas Trust Credit Union Theatre in Grand Prairie in the Golden Gratitude Giveaway. Doris Standford of Texas Trust (left) presented the award.