“Texas Superintendent of the Year”
By: Kristen Ferrara
After speaking with Mary Ann Whiteker earlier this week, I have no doubt Hudson’s superintendent of 21 years is worthy of the title “Texas Superintendent of the Year.” In her presence, I encountered eloquent speech, incessant poise, and humility second to none.
Mrs. Whiteker has many responsibilities as the leader of Hudson ISD, the most important of these to “educate every student at Hudson ISD. This ensures that we are effective and efficient in our teaching.”
Her passion for quality education is reflected by her efforts in Austin. When asked what she advocates in Texas’ capital, Mrs. Whiteker replied, “Over the last few years, my emphasis has been on getting away from a test driven system and really fighting for us to have the ability to bring the joy of teaching and learning back to the classroom. Education should not be measured by one test. I have been adamantly opposed to using this one test to rate schools, to evaluate teachers and principals, and to acknowledge whether a child is a success or failure based on the test.”
Mrs. Whiteker not only assisted in the advancement of House Bill 5 but has played an exceptional role in halting the passage of ineffective bills. She encourages other superintendents to talk to their legislatures regarding the topic. Mrs. Whiteker stated, “I urge people to get involved in the legislative process because apathy is really our greatest enemy. When people will not get involved and know what bills are, you can end up with some devastating issues you have to live with.”
The superintendent exhibits her dedication to the shift from a testing centered system to one centered on adequate instruction when she advocates the cause at various conferences. Mrs. Whiteker has spoken at 10 of the 20 education service centers in the state of Texas. In addition, she claimed that she has “presented at the Texas Association of School Administrators Conferences, school board conferences, community school conferences, Chambers, Kawana’s, and Lion’s Club. Anyone who will invite me to talk about it, I will go.” In addition, she has been invited to speak at a national conference in Indianapolis this summer.
Statistically speaking, women superintendents are in the minority, representing 13.5% of the total individuals in this occupation. When asked her opinion on this fact, Mrs. Whiteker replied, “It’s balance. We need a good balance of male/female, young/old, and people of different ethnic groups. It takes all of us to make a healthy educational system because truly we are all different.”
When she realized that she would be named “Texas Superintendent of the Year”, Mrs Whiteker said, “It was surreal. I was totally shocked and very pleased. I felt honored that I could represent Hudson on that stage.” Her humility and emphasis on teamwork are two of many reasons Hudson’s staff adores her. In fact, faculty members held a reception to celebrate her acquirement of the title and to express their appreciation on Friday, Oct. 16.
Above all, Mrs. Whiteker is enthusiastic toward Hudson ISD. In her own words, “A superintendent doesn’t do anything alone. A vision remains a dream in one’s head unless he has the school board, the community, the staff, and the students that make it happen. We have a great school because I have all of those things. And I mean that from the bottom of my heart.” The Hornet Herald urges students to congratulate this amazing woman whenever the opportunity presents itself.
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