Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Valencia Hall.
Hi Dr. Hall, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Hello, thank you for the opportunity to be highlighted. I am Dr. Valencia (Dutton) Hall and have been called a pillar in my community based on my service. I began my journey towards being a good leader and committed member of all I have joined in life by following in my mother’s footsteps. My mother, Audrey Dutton Davis, always encouraged me to do what I felt was my passion but also ensured the passion chosen could create a positive change wherever I was. Therefore, I used that motivation in all facets of my life, personally and professionally.
As of today, I have received a Bachelor of Science degree in Architecture, a Master of Architecture from Prairie View A&M University, and a Doctorate of Education degree concentrating on Curriculum and Instruction from Texas Southern University. I started my teaching career as a substitute in North Forest Independent School District in September of 2003 after layoffs in the field of Architecture were happening at many local area firms. This transition occurred when I was pursuing a new company to work with as a full-time employee. The temporary substitute position turned into a permanent teaching position in a Computer Technology and Drafting classroom at Forest Brook High School, my alma mater, where I was the 1998-1999 Miss Forest Brook High School. In Spring 2004, I was hired as a full-time Technology teacher there and later became an Engineering teacher/CTE Department Chair. I was also chosen by Houston Community College and my high school administrative staff to become a Dual Credit instructor/Adjunct Professor for Technical Drafting in 2006. North Forest ISD closed in 2013, and I was the last District Teacher of the Year to be honored by the school district.
After being released with all of my colleagues in North Forest ISD by the state, I took my talents to Houston Independent School District as the founding Engineering Project-Based Learning Facilitator (Teacher) at Energy Institute High School. I took on numerous leadership positions while maintaining my love for teaching the students in the classroom. In the 2013-2014 school year, I was honored with receiving campus Teacher of the Year, becoming the C-STEM 2016 Southeast Region Teacher of the Year for my hard work with the students for competitions on my campus and a district Professional Learning Opportunity Team (PLOT) Key Teacher where I presented sessions for teacher across the district.
Dr. Hall has proven she is a team player and is all about the students’ education on and off campus. She has sponsored the C-STEM competition groups, originated the National Honor Society and Energy Converters Club at Energy Institute H.S., and previously worked as a Teacher Selection Specialist for Houston ISD in the Human Resources department. Her teaching motto is “All children can learn if given a chance and time to find their passion.” With this mindset, she has had the honor over the years of receiving numerous awards such as Teacher of the Year (twice), North Forest ISD Secondary and District Teacher of the Year, the HEB Excellence in Education Teacher Semi-Finalist, the Northeast Area YMCA Educator of the Year, and the 2020 Texas Alliance of Black School Educators Assistant Principal of the Year.
Currently, she is an Assistant Principal at Booker T. Washington High School in Houston ISD. In this position, she supports campus staff, helps with 12th-grade class activities as the Senior Sponsor and Administrator, and oversees the Language, ROTC, and Career and Technical Education (CTE) departments. In her spare time, you can find her teaching herself the newest technology, developing graphic designs, involved in activities with Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Texas Alliance of Black School Educators (Life Member), Houston Area Alliance of Black School Educators, and taking care of business as the award-winning President of the Epsilon Phi Chapter of Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc.
Now speaking of her presidency, it has been a fantastic journey for her and a journey where she was groomed in the organization on how to be a good leader as a youth member, Iota GEM to a Future Iota Girl (FIG), during the mid 90’s. She also won Local and National level scholarships from the Sorority in her last year of high school. She continued to support the ladies of the Alpha Kappa Chapter throughout her collegiate studies. During the Spring of 2012, when Dr. Hall obtained her Doctorate in Education, she joined the ranks of the sisterhood as a charter member of the Epsilon Sigma Chapter. As a new member, she was installed as the Chapter Journalist, chaired the Toys “U” Can’t Return committee, and participated on numerous committees locally and regionally.
In the Spring of 2016, she later chartered the Epsilon Phi Chapter with her mother, the organizer, and eight other dynamic ladies who would support the Humble and Northeast Houston area together. These areas are the part of town where she grew up and lived. In the Epsilon Phi Chapter, she is the current Chapter President and Webmaster, and she has also participated in numerous committees in this chapter and organized community service events. She is also the past 2018-2022 Southwestern Regional Journalist. Dr. Hall’s motto as a member of Iota is, “Commitment is imperative, but RESPECT is even greater!” Therefore, she feels everyone must give their best in service and respect each others’ time, ideas, and decisions.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has not always been a smooth road for me in my personal or professional life to get to where I am. I have had to work very hard and have a few sleepless nights working on projects for work and in my business Sorority. However, I have learned over the years how to delegate tasks better and trust others to do the work they have been trained to do. In my chapter, I created an internal President’s Council of ladies who are learning what our Executive Committee does and will receive leadership sessions throughout this year to help them grow as future leaders. I also created necessary subcommittees to develop leadership skills while splitting up some of the tasks I would generally help with as president. I support each committee by being a liaison with our 1st and 2nd Vice Presidents. As for my professional challenges, I am learning to do the same. If you do not ask, you will end up doing it all on your own. I am more inclined to ask for support on tasks assigned to me or create a team of people to work on a more significant task if I know I cannot do it alone. It took a while to get to this point, and as of this year, I can say that I have become better at delegating when necessary thanks to my campus principal, Dr. Carlos R. Phillips, II.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am an Assistant Principal at Booker T. Washington High School and the High School for the Engineering Professions. I have a lot of responsibilities on campus, but the essential duty of the day is to ensure our students have a safe and productive day. I never thought I would be an administrator in a school when I was in college since education was not my major. However, the Lord had other plans for me and led me to a career focused on my passion, service to the community. I am most proud of my overall educational journey and the fact that I have been able to support so many youth with the opportunity of walking across the stage for graduation day. I am the current 12th-grade administrator and class sponsor. This role entails that I must audit every 12th-grade student’s transcript to see whether or not they will graduate on time. If not, I must work with them and their parents to create the best plan for them to get to one of the three offered graduation days within a year. My drive, determination, and willingness to go the extra mile for my students sets me apart from others. I have even created a partnership with my business sorority chapter that I reside over with the school. We have supported young teenage mothers on the campus by providing toiletries, clothes, baby needs, and even scholarships. We have offered virtual tutorials, donate books, register students to vote, and so much more. I don’t know what else to do if that is not going the extra mile. However, my students at the school know I care for them just like my own children, which is fine with me.
As for my organization involvement, I am most proud of being able to lead and work with the lovely ladies in the Epsilon Phi chapter of Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc. Through our hard work and successful program completion, we are the current Southwestern Region and National Chapter of the Year and I am the current Regional and National Chapter President of the Year. I am also the current 2021-2023 Southwestern Region Soror of the Year.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
Some of the best books I have read that have helped me in all that I do are “How to Lead When You’re Not in Charge” by Clay Scroggins, “Leaders Eat Last” by Simon Sinek, and “The Assistant Principal 50” by Baruti Kafele. I don’t really listen to many podcasts or follow any blogs but I love Clubhouse and listen to the Womxn in Business (spelled correctly) room sessions. Their sessions are very empowering and they provide great tips for businesswomen or ladies looking into getting started with a business. As for apps, I am a creative and a gamer so my current go to apps are Canva, iMovie, Genius Scan, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Clubhouse, Phase 10, Wordscapes, and Homescapes. My gaming apps help me to relax when I feel stress coming on or if I need to take a break.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://bit.ly/DrVHall
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drvhall12/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dr.valhall
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/drdhstem
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeybn0aOS6wCZZjXi1R8acA
- Other: https://linktr.ee/EpsilonPhi2016
Image Credits
Th3rd Eye Studios – Past Maternity photo
