May 9—After completing The Holdsworth Center’s two-year leadership program, Ector County ISD Principal Intern Denise De Loera has been named a “Champion of Hope” and was honored with five other alumni at the Austin-based nonprofit’s gala May 7 in Houston.
Holdsworth says it transforms education through its leadership development programs to strengthen principals, superintendents, administrators and teachers.
De Loera, who is at Pease Elementary currently, was recognized for her efforts to close achievement gaps, mentor teachers and inspire students to dream big and break generational cycles of poverty through educational success. She will be principal of Zavala Elementary next year. She estimated that there will be 700 to 800 students attending.
Being named a Champion of Hope was an honor and humbling.
“Holdsworth has seen in me what I strive to bring to my work every day, and that’s hope and belief in people and a commitment to transformational leadership. … This recognition reminds me that the work we’re doing matters and that it energizes me to keep pushing forward.”
De Loera is very excited and honored to be able to serve as principal of Zavala next fall. The campus will be going back to a kindergarten through fifth grade campus.
“I feel that with this experience of being a principal intern, I have received the proper training of being able to shadow a principal and work side by side to see how she handles day-to-day situations. That allows me to be reflective on how I will lead Zavala this upcoming year,” she said.
She spent her first day on campus in April with students on hand, which she said was a really neat experience.
“My biggest goal right now, since I have the rest of this semester and the summer, I want to be able to meet the students and start remembering their names, because I think it’s important to be called by your name instead of just hey friend and not something so vague. I think it makes an impact when they know that you know their names,” De Loera said.
She added that she will be able to get guidance from Pease Principal Micah Arrott and Zavala Principal Tanya Galindo.
“The beautiful thing about this is, I feel that I’ve built a good network with leaders at the previous campus that I was at, at this campus, and even Zavala’s current principal. They’ve all told me that I can reach out to them in case I have any questions. There’s evident mentorship in the district, even though it’s not assigned. They’re willing to guide me through this transitional year,” De Loera said.
She added that the Holdsworth experience has been game-changing.
“I’ve worked with them for two years through the campus leadership program, and I’ve also have worked with them through the aspiring principal pilot year. Through the two years that I participated in the intensive leadership training and the executive coaching, it’s really pushed me to grow, both personally and professionally. The program challenged me to reflect deeply, to lead with vision and clarity and to prioritize systems that build strong school culture. The Holdsworth program does a really good job at taking all of the elements that are part of leadership and breaking it down and give you that opportunity to find your areas of strength, your areas of weakness and give you the tools to grow as a leader,” De Loera said.
Winning the award means she’s an example to others in her position or who aspire to be in her position.
“But most importantly, I think it’s valuable for the students. I think it’s important for them to see representation, and I feel that with this grand honor of being awarded a Champion of Hope, and to be able to tell my story, students see a little bit of themselves in me, and that it inspires them to dream big and achieve and not to see any limitations, ” De Loera said.
She added that she didn’t plan to become a principal. It happened organically.
“I don’t take this responsibility lightly, and I hope that I’m able to … make an impact on on these students, on the community,” De Loera said.
Her first year of teaching was 2018 and her first year in administration was 2022.
She said the mentoring she’s received has been amazing.
“Not only have I been paired up with incredible leaders, but also an amazing staff who has allowed me to learn from their approach when it comes to the learning of students, and what they focus on … I’ve learned a lot about different programs,” De Loera said.
Pease is known for Blended Learning and Zavala will be implementing it next fall. Blended Learning enables students to learn with electronic and online media as well as face-to-face learning.
“I’m really blessed that I was given this opportunity to see it fully implemented on this campus. That way, I’m better prepared to guide teachers in the implementation at Zavala,” De Loera said.
Something that stood out to her about Zavala was the pride students, teachers and staff have in the school.
“I think this school is well established. It’s a school that serves families that have been in Odessa for multiple generations. When I first met the faculty … it felt like a family. I was welcomed with open arms. One of the things I told them was I’m here to support you, and in return, they said, we’re here to support you. That was very neat to experience. … I’m eager and I’m excited to be part of that,” De Loera said.
She earned an associate degree at Western Wyoming Community College and a bachelor’s degree in microbiology from the University of Wyoming. De Loera got alternatively certified from University of Texas Permian Basin, and a master’s degree in educational leadership, also from there.
Melissa Ludwig, senior communications manager with the Holdsworth Center, said De Loera was an example of someone spreading hope, cultivating hope in their community and doing whatever it takes to “walk alongside people and help them, especially teachers … be effective in their roles.
“Just by being there for them and encouraging them, she has really sparked a sense of hope within the school community that she’s in now. I have no doubt that she’ll do the same when she’s principal of Zavala next year,” Ludwig said.
Those chosen for the award are principals, assistant principals and superintendents.