Iowa’s Most Diverse High School Welcomes New Principal
Sherry Poole will be the next principal at Hoover High School.
Hoover High School is welcoming a new principal. Sherry Poole takes over the leadership role from Kathie Danielson, who is retiring after this school year. Poole currently serves as the School Improvement Leader at East High School.
Poole took an unusual path to becoming an educator, beginning her career in law enforcement as a police officer in Boone, IA. Since making the transition to education nearly two decades ago, she’s served Des Moines Public Schools in many roles, including teacher, instructional coach, and building leader. She also worked as a curriculum consultant for the George Lucas Educational Foundation, where she designed and re-designed curriculum similar to the International Baccalaureate World School programming at Hoover. Poole has built a strong core instructional background, taught all levels of learners in the classroom, managed teams of people, and facilitated professional learning experiences.
“Sherry Poole’s path into leadership has been paved with doing what is right for all students, continually looking through the lens of equity, working hard, building relationships, and being fully present for the community she serves,” said Superintendent Dr. Thomas Ahart. “She will find herself at home as the new leader of Iowa’s most diverse high school.”
Poole’s post-secondary education began at Des Moines Area Community College, where she earned her Associate of Science degree. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education, with distinction, from Iowa State University. She holds a master’s degree in Education from Viterbo University in La Crosse, Wisconsin, and a master’s in Education Administration from Iowa State University.
“I believe that a good leader leads with patience, integrity, and passion,” Poole said. “I hold the conviction it is my obligation as a leader to make all the decisions according to what is right and just for the students, staff, and community I serve.”
Poole begins her role as principal of Hoover High School on July 1.
