By ANTHONY FLORES
Liberty Hill school Trustees approved Dawn Hudson as the new principal of Louine Noble Elementary. The milestone is a pivotal step in getting the school ready for the coming school year.
“It feels great. I am very humbled. There are a lot of great educators in this district, and I’m excited to keep working with our students and our families.” said Hudson.
Hudson is a graduate of Stephen F. Austin State University, with a Bachelor’s of Science degree specializing in Elementary Education. She has a Master’s Degree in Education Leadership from the University of Texas at Tyler.
Hudson has over 20 years of experience with children at different grade levels and has worked in five school districts. She has served as assistant principal at Liberty Hill Intermediate for the last four years.
In her time at the Intermediate, the school earned a designation of globally recognized PCL Campus, one of 172 schools across the nation. With her efforts, the campus was one of 45 schools in Texas named to the National To-Watch list.
“We’ve done a lot of amazing things there, but I’m excited to get back to the elementary level and work with that age group,” said Hudson. “That’s where my passion is. I look forward to working with those teachers. I think the Intermediate has prepared me, we’ve done some great things, and I’m ready to continue doing those things there.”
Hudson began the interview process a week before being named principal. Despite her new job on the horizon, Hudson still has plans for her time left at the Intermediate campus.
“I found out when everyone else did. I found out today. I interviewed last week and went through the process then,” said Hudson. “There was a panel that was looking for who could lead the school in the right direction and keep up the culture and the level of excellence that’s expected here in Liberty Hill. I’m not ready to say goodbye to the Intermediate. We’ve got some big things planned for the rest of the year. They have no idea.”
Excited to work with elementary-level children again, Hudson has a simple but challenging goal for Louine Noble Elementary — continue the level of excellence expected in Liberty Hill.
“Our whole vision here is to build champions in academics, character, and community. That’s what I want to see on our campus,” said Hudson. “I want to see a sense of community while doing those things. It’s going to be so much fun. Those kids bring a huge level of excitement and joy to me. I’m looking forward to it. It’s going to be refreshing. I’m so excited because this age group is so much fun.”
As a part of the Planning and Design Team, Hudson is hands-on with the development of Noble Elementary. She begins the process of building her staff as the school’s opening gets closer.
“I’m going to be looking for people who love children,” said Hudson. “Content and skills can be taught, but you can’t teach someone to love kids. I’m looking for that, and I’m looking for attitude.”
With her new role cultivating the future of Liberty Hill ISD, Hudson has a clear message for the parents in the community.
“Thank you for trusting us with your children,” she said. “I believe in partnerships with parents, and I believe in collaborative efforts. We’re all in this together, and it’s all about the kids.”
