Department of Educational Leadership & Policy Studies (DELPS) alumna and Hambrick Middle School principal Rebecca Hoyt has been named Aldine ISD’s Secondary Principal of the Year.

Hoyt didn’t always know she wanted to work in Educational Leadership, but she did know she wanted to be in a position where she could impact the lives of children. “As I furthered my education, I quickly learned that being a public school administrator was the path for me,” said Hoyt.  She completed her M.Ed. in the College of Education’s Educational Psychology program, and was then accepted into the Educational Leadership – Special Populations doctoral cohort. She was the first African American woman to graduate with her doctorate in Special Education from our college.

Hoyt cites the faculty as being key to her success as a student in the college. “Dr. [Jacqueline] Hawkins not only inspired me but she was there each step of the way to push and motivate me and to ensure I was successful,” said Hoyt.

Since graduating, Hoyt has utilized her passion for helping others, particularly those with disabilities, while leading her faculty and staff at various local schools. In addition to serving as the principal at Hambrick Middle School, she has also served as the principal at Johnson Elementary, and the assistant principal at Escamilla Intermediate School. She also served as a special education/inclusion teacher at Worsham Elementary.

When asked about her award, Hoyt said, “Winning shows me that my colleagues, who nominated me for the award, respect the work that I do and the effort that I give on a daily basis, and second, for all those at my school that work so very hard day in and day out to ensure our students have every opportunity to be successful.  I share this award with them.  My vision lives through them.  They are the ones that help to execute it on a daily basis, and our students are the benefactors as a result of their combined efforts!”