After working for six years as the high school’s Student Success Coordinator, working with at-risk students, Amy Hackebeil has moved into a new role as the district’s Academic Dean.

“Mr. Rosenbaum helped me understand that in this new role, I would be able to reach every student on campus by serving their teachers,” She said. “I had been working with students in a more individual practice, but now through instructional and curriculum design and support for teachers, I will be a part of every students’ education.”

She said she wanted to stay on this campus and focus on providing non-evaluative support to staff.

“If I can serve every teacher by providing support as a teammate and sounding board, we can reach every student with strategies that help them achieve their best.

The teachers are masters at what they do,” she said. “I’ll be observing them to identify their strengths and look at ways to showcase and share those strengths. For example, one teacher may excel at the use of instructional technology and another in classroom management. As part of the feet on the ground, I can help provide the ways for collaboration to extend these skills to others.”

Hackebeil says her new role opens up time for her to focus on data analysis, curriculum-based assessment and instructional strategies to close achievement gaps because every student can learn more. She is looking for the data to lead the way for her efforts.

“I’m a total nerd,” she said. “I was valedictorian of my high school class and went on to A&M to get my undergraduate degree in English, and then get my master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction. I’ll be looking at trends and scores to make adjustments by looking at the big picture. It’s wild how data can help us make better decisions.”

She says that teachers are getting good at looking at data.

“Examining instruction is critical,” Hackebeil said. “Reflecting on practices that work and looking at when and how we need to reteach or do something different is an important part of the learning cycle.”

Hackebeil was part of the BISD team of administrators who spent a week this summer at a graduate education program learning how to close achievement gaps.

“Harvard was incredibly moving,” Hackebeil said. “I had been so focused on the microcosm of individuals, that the way they exposed us to push for excellence with the expectation that teachers believe everyone will grow and everyone will learn helped me see education in the big picture. We learned three basic tenants that are so powerful: what we’re doing is important; I believe in you; and, I’m never giving up on you, that help every student achieve their North Star is so powerful.”

“As a district, we have very high expectations of our teachers and our support staff,” she said. “Many of our staff wear many hats. Our kids need every chance to succeed. I’ll be here as a force of love working with them to help them adopt a growth mindset.”

One of the hats that Hackebeil gave up to assume her new role was serving as the BHS head volleyball coach.

“I’ve spent the pre-season working on transitioning with Coach Karnes,” she said. “I wanted all the players to know how much I believe in them and care about them. I’ll always be at all their games and be their number one fan. But I know I’ve made the right decision.”