Her tireless efforts have made a tremendous impact at Arp Elementary for quite some time.
And the mental health community in East Texas and beyond continues to take notice.
Monday at UT Tyler's annual Mental Health Matters Conference, Arp Elementary Principal Beth Hines was surprised when she was called to the stage as the winner of the 2024 Mental Health Champion Award.
According to UT Tyler Education Associate Professor Dr. Yanira Oliveras, who presented her with the award, Hines, "Was selected by the Mental Health Matters team because of the extraordinary work she has been doing—and continues to do—at Arp Elementary, creating a learning environment where students thrive not only academically but also emotionally and socially."
Thanking the Lord, and giving praise and credit to Arp Elementary's faculty, Student Response, Special Education, and Life Skills teams, Hines expressed her emotions of receiving such recognition by stating, "This award means the world to me, and acknowledges all the hard work that each of my staff have put into making our campus a great place to be."
Oliveras explained that after presenting Hines with the award, TCU Assistant Professor Dr. Citlali Molina, who is also the co-founder of the Mental Health Matters Conference, "told the audience, 'We need a principal like Beth in every school!'”
Hines was also a presenter at the conference. Later Monday she led the session of, Refocus and Reset: Creating Sensory Spaces for Emotional Regulation, and Social and Emotional Learning Growth.
Below is Oliveras' transcript of her award presentation to Mrs. Hines. She added that, "It was truly an honor to present Beth with this award."
"The recipient of this year’s award embodies the essence of a true mental health champion, demonstrating unwavering commitment to the well-being of her students, staff, and community. Her innovative leadership has transformed her campus into a supportive environment where mental health is prioritized alongside academic excellence.
She has recognized the significant social and emotional challenges her students faced, particularly in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. Understanding that emotional regulation is foundational to learning, she has led initiatives to address these needs head-on. Her implementation of sensory rooms and sensory breaks has provided students with essential tools to self-regulate and refocus, reducing classroom disruptions and fostering a healthier learning environment. The measurable success of these initiatives—dramatically decreasing the time students spend away from learning—demonstrates her ability to create practical solutions with lasting impact.
I’ve had the pleasure of knowing and working with the recipient of this year’s Mental Health Champion award for about 8 years. I’m proud to call her colleague and friend, it is an honor to present this year’s Mental Health Champion award to Beth Hines.
Beth's advocacy extends beyond her school. As a first-year principal (during the 2023-24 school year), she successfully secured an $82,500 grant from the Hogg Foundation for Mental Health, making Arp Elementary the only public school among 28 recipients. This grant enables the school to expand its mental health resources, including enhanced sensory rooms and teletherapy services for families. Beth’s proactive approach ensures that not only students but also their families receive the support they need, addressing barriers such as limited internet access by creating an on-campus telehealth space.
Her leadership is rooted in a deep belief that meeting students’ emotional and social needs is a prerequisite for academic success. She has inspired her staff to embrace trauma-informed practices and trained them to recognize early signs of mental health challenges. Through Beth’s efforts, Arp Elementary has become a model of holistic education where students thrive emotionally, socially, and academically.
Beth Hines is more than a principal; she is a changemaker, creating a culture where mental health is integral to education. Her vision, passion, and relentless dedication make her truly deserving of the Mental Health Champion of the Year Award.
Presented by Dr. Yanira Oliveras on behalf of the Mental Health Matters Team. Oliveras is an associate professor at UT Tyler's School of Education, and the Director of the Center for Caribbean and Central American Initiatives. She’s also Hines' dissertation chair.
Other members of the MHM Team: Dr. Citlali Molina (TCU), Dr. Jessica Holm (UT Tyler), and Dr. Staci Zolkoski (UT Tyler)-founding team members of the Mental Health Matters Conference at UT Tyler."