While many rural school districts have administrative staffs led largely by men - think male authority figures - Hooks Independent School District has found success doing just the opposite. Leadership in the Hooks district is largely women-centric.
The principal positions at Hooks High School, Junior High School and Elementary School, as well as the assistant superintendent of instruction position, are all held by women.
This didn't happen by design. It was a function of merit meeting opportunity.
"I personally have always been afforded leadership opportunities in the Hooks ISD," high school Principal Beverly Shannon said. "Hooks has a history of women in leadership positions."
Beverly has been with the district for 30 years.
"After reinventing my career focus in counseling four times, I ended up in the position of the principal because I had people in leadership positions that believed in me and said that I was going to be the next principal of Hooks High School," she said. "In preparing to become a principal, I began to see what the people saw in me." Junior high Principal Kelly Odom has been with Hooks for 21 years. She began as a sixth-grade math and reading teacher in 2000.
"Hooks ISD gives everyone the opportunity to showcase their talents and celebrates all accomplishments," Kelly said. "While I am truly grateful for my career opportunities at HISD, I don't feel we were chosen based on gender, but rather our dedication to all stakeholders in the district. I do agree that education administration has been mostly made of males in the past, however (Superintendent Keith Minter), and our school board are dedicated to placing the right people in the right positions."
Elementary Principal Jennifer DeAnda is the newest of the group, having been at Hooks for three years. She said the collaboration among her and her peers helps her learn new ways every day on how to best support and teach students.
"You know the saying, 'It takes a village?' That is a true statement," Jennifer said. "Educating the students at Hooks ISD is a collaborative process. We communicate and collaborate when necessary. We possess similar personal and professional skills, qualities, practices and competencies that successful schools require. We have a teamwork leadership style and balance our leadership between campus and district needs to achieve our goals.
"I think we, as women, have a different perspective. We are used to multi-tasking or juggling many things at once; job, family, civic duties, etc. Therefore, leading a school is similar in the fact there are so many things going on at once and they all have to be managed successfully. My passion to be an educator continues, just on a greater level as an administrator. It is delightful to cultivate great teachers that share your same passion for learning."
Tracy Cook, assistant superintendent of instruction, has been in education for 17 years, and all of them have been working for Hooks ISD. After teaching for 7 years within the district, she moved to the administration office as Curriculum and Testing coordinator.
In 2014, she used her platform to design and implement the district's ACE After School Program, which still runs today. She was promoted to assistant superintendent this past summer.
She credited the district for providing her the opportunity to showcase her abilities as an educator.
"It is not always easy as a female to advance your career in any area, and education is no exception," Tracy said. "I have been fortunate that leadership at Hooks ISD values a person's ability and skill, regardless of gender. I'm proud of the opportunities I have been provided at Hooks ISD and the experience working with other amazing females every day."
At the end of the day, they feel that the openness, inclusiveness and passion put on display at Hooks makes them a great team.
"We have a wonderful thing going on at Hooks ISD," Kelly said. "I am proud to be a small part of this school district. We are surrounded by many who make us the best of the best. Our students, teachers, staff, administration and community all hold an instrumental part in our educational system and I am proud to be involved and given the chance to make a difference in our school and community."