At the start of the 2023-2024 school year, the Parkdale family welcomed two new administrators: Ms.Teshara Hooks and Mr. Jonathan George! Ms. Hooks is the one of the ninth grade assistant principals, and Mr. Goerge is the 11th grade assistant principal.
We met up with them to learn more about their backgrounds, their hopes, and some fun facts! Check out our interviews below:
Interview with Ms. Hooks
Q: Please tell me a little about yourself: where did you grow up, go to school, favorite subjects and what school were you in?
A: “My name is Teshara Hooks. I am new to Parkdale High School as an assistant principal but definitely not new to leadership. I am from upstate New York, so I did go to Newburgh Free Academy, which is a high school in New York. I also attended Spelman college for my undergrad experience and Howard University where I received my Masters. So, I did attend the Illustrious Spelman College and Howard University. One of my favorite subjects is mathematics, so prior to becoming an administrator, I was a mathematics teacher. I love mathematics, understanding and proficiency to students in mathematics, so that is something that I definitely enjoy as a mathematician.”
Q: What schools have you taught at?
A: “So I have taught at several schools. As a teacher I have taught mathematics in New York, and I actually had the opportunity to teach and give back to my high school, Newburgh Free Academy. I have taught mathematics there, and I have a degree in mathematics and chemistry, so I was allowed to teach chemistry at Newburgh Free Academy and mathematics and then I progressed down here where I taught in DC Kelly MIller Middle School where I was a mathematics teacher. Then, I taught at the charter schools: Trio Black Public Charter schools, where I was a mathematics teacher and the chair of the mathematics department, and then I also taught at Maya Angelou Public Charter Schools, which was a high school where I only didn’t teach mathematics but that is where I became the assistant principal of that school.”
Q: Did you ever think of switching from mathematics to a different subject?
A: “Well I am a STEM person, so I love all the math and sciences and so. Like I have talked about, I have taught math and science before but never necessarily switched. Even as an administrator, I still have opportunities where I was able to still be in that role. So as an administrator and a leader, I was working with teachers and helping them build their math instructions, [and I was] helping them build their math capacity. When we had an after school program, they would be able to see me. Even as an administrator, I was able to uphold my passion and love for mathematics, so I co-taught with teachers in the classroom. I came to the classroom to work with students. I also taught mathematics and science during the Saturdays program. Even though I am out of the teaching position, I still infuse my love for mathematics and my role as an assistant principal.”
Q: What was your favorite memory of being in the classroom?
A:”My favorite memory of being in the classroom was really the joy I saw when students really understood. For me, being in the content where most people don’t like mathematics, they said it’s too hard and I always say ‘once you have Ms. Hooks you are not going to think like that!’ So really, seeing them go from hating math to loving math and doing well. I always say ‘trust me, if you let me be your teacher for one, year you’re not only going to love math but you’re going to do well in it.’ To see that shift when they went from not liking math to doing well and excelling in it and also loving it , that is what brought me joy.”
Q: What have been your first impressions of Parkdale?
A: “My first impression of Parkdale is that it has been a very welcoming and loving environment. As someone who is new to building, I have been welcomed by not only teachers but students the same way. Students are very excited to let me know their name, their grade and they were welcoming. The students have been very respectful, just like the teachers. So just a loving and warm, embracing atmosphere is what I have experienced thus far here at Parkdale.”
Q: What do you hope to contribute to the Panther community?
A: “I want to continue my leadership here. I am very big on building order, building a positive school culture and climate. I am committed to making sure that students and staff enjoy coming to Parkdale everyday. I am very big on culture and I think that culture starts with building an impeccable type [of] relationship with students and staff.
Getting to know what the students want to see, I want y’all to have pride in your school. I want you to wake up and love going to high school. I used to wake up and love going to high school. We didn’t miss a day in our school. I want to see students get involved in extracurricular activities because that is very important as you matriculate to college or post-secondary. High school is not only about academics but about extra curricular.
I also hope to contribute to building leadership skills in students because y’all are the change of the 21st century. Y’all are going to be taking care of me one day. I want y’all to change the world. I know there is another Barack Obama or another Michelle Obama in this building. I see leadership skills in a lot of you, so my contribution is to make sure that I continue to build and pull out leadership skills in students and staff, as well as solidifying a positive school culture and climate.”
Q: What is one thing you hope students take away whenever they come to your office?
A: “One thing that I hope students takeaway is that anything that is important to them, whether they are coming to me for a good reason or if they are in trouble, is that they listen to the words of wisdom that I am going to impart and make sure that they change their behavior and make better decisions. So again, even when you are in trouble, I am still going to always impart those leadership skills to you. I might talk your ear off, but I expect success. I have high expectations for everyone, so anytime someone comes to my office or they see me in the hallway, I want them to always know ‘I have to be on point’ because they know that Ms. Hooks is about excellence, so really making sure they make use of the words of wisdom that I pour into them.”
Q: What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
A: “In my spare time I enjoy shopping and curling up with a book and reading. I love just [being in] a quiet space [with] a cup of coffee. I am an avid learner.I feel like you are never too old to learn something new. And then I also like spending time with my family, and I love interior decorating. That is really what soothes me; I like colors and patterns and furniture. So I am always changing up something at home.”
Q: Any random or fun facts about yourself?
A: “I am a member of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority: the number one sorority in the world! Which is one of the nine greek black fraternities sorority. Fraternities are the males; sororities are the female [version]. Delta Sigma Theta is the number one Greek black sorority. I also love double dutching, and my toy poodle. I am very excited to be here to see the growth in the students and the staff. I am excited to build the Parkdale family.”
Interview with Mr. George
Q: Please tell me a little about yourself: where did you grow up, go to school, favorite subjects and what school were you in?
A: “My name is Mr. George, Jonathan George. I am from Sierra Leone West Africa. I actually grew up in Prince George’s County. I went to Bowie High School. I attended the Bowie schools throughout my time here. I went to undergrad in Ohio and went to Kent State University. My favorite subject in school was definitely physical education. I am a big sports guy so I enjoy playing sports.”
Q: What schools have you taught at?
A: “I have taught at International Largo and Buck Lodge Middle school, where I was an athletic director there.”
Q: What was your favorite memory of being in the classroom?
A: “My favorite memory was last year when we won the county championship for soccer which was the first time in school history we were able to win our conference, win the overall championship and bring a large trophy hope to the school.”
Q: What have been your first impressions of Parkdale?
A: “Parkdale is definitely a lot larger than my old school. My old school had less than 400 kids. So it’s been different, but it has also been very welcoming. A lot of kids that I worked with in the past, I met a couple of them here that I have either coached or taught in my previous schools. They have been very welcoming. The staff have also been very welcoming and the administrative team with Dr. Graves has also been very welcoming, so I am excited to be here.”
Q: What do you hope to contribute to the panther community?
A: “So I definitely hope to bring some energy to the Panther community. My big thing this year is going to be climate and culture, so making sure everyone feels safe and supported but make sure we have some fun. My motto has always been “Work hard, play hard,” so working with the students and staff to bring different initiatives and to have some fun events where we can all come and highlight all the diversity we have here at Parkdale. It is about looking forward to working with the teachers, students and staff. This whole community makes it happen.”
Q: What is one thing you hope students take away whenever they come to your office?
A: “I hope students know that my office is always going to be open if they need someone to talk to. I get that I am new, so that might be a little bit of a road block but I am hoping that you guys do feel welcome here and know that you can come to me if you need anything.”
Q: What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
A: “In my spare time, I definitely go back to sports. I like watching, playing sports. I am also a big music fan watching tv and different shows. Anything that will get me to laugh and have a good time is all I am for.”
Q: What is your favorite music genre?
A: “I will listen to anything. Fun fact: I was in choir all the way up to high school, but usually rap/ hiphop are my top two but I am open to Pop, country music. I have even been to a rock concert that was interesting, so I am very open. If you guys have any music suggestions, feel free to share them with me!”
Q: Any random or fun facts about yourself?
A: “I am allergic to most fruits, which is actually a sad fact. I can’t have most fruits which makes me sad and it surprises people a lot when they hear this. Fruits like apples, peaches, pears, kiwis. It is really a short list about the ones I can actually have, so yeah, that kinda sucks.”
To get in touch with Ms. Hooks or Mr. George, feel free to reach out to them at [email protected] and [email protected] respectively. Welcome to the team; we are so excited to have you!
