"I cultivate hope in other people by bringing out the best in them. Being their biggest cheerleader and validating the amazing job they’re doing helps bring that hope back."
As a campus leader in Odessa, Denise De Loera is modeling great leadership by walking side-by-side with teachers and helping them close achievement gaps.
Her hope is that they inspire students in Ector County ISD to dream big and break generational cycles of poverty through educational achievement.
With a background in science, Denise came to teaching through an alternative certification program, just like half of Texas’ newest teachers. She struggled at first and counted on the support of mentors to learn the craft and become an effective teacher.
That experience drives her passion for supporting newer teachers to succeed. She builds on their strengths and guides them toward continuous improvement.
Holdsworth has played a key role in Denise’s leadership journey, helping her develop a reflective and thoughtful approach to problem-solving and giving her a model for what great leaders do.
Denise personally greets each of her students, using this moment to connect with them and get a sense of their mood as they start the day.
Denise personally greets each of her students, using this moment to connect with them and get a sense of their mood as they start the day.
Denise meets with the principal to review goals around STAAR testing.
Denise meets with the principal to review goals around STAAR testing.
A young Denise with her 3rd-grade teacher, who inspired her to become the first in her family to attend college.
A young Denise with her 3rd-grade teacher, who inspired her to become the first in her family to attend college.
Denise walks the halls of the elementary school.
Denise walks the halls of the elementary school.
Driven by the belief that teachers and students thrive with great leadership, The Holdsworth Center builds stronger leaders for Texas public schools. Founded as a nonprofit in 2017 by H-E-B Chairman Charles Butt, Holdsworth provides world-class leadership development programs and services within districts and at its Campus on Lake Austin, a one-of-a-kind place dedicated to the idea that public education holds worth. Learn more at holdsworthcenter.org.
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