PV alumnus Gene Glover named Hempstead ISD

Gene Arthur Glover was named the first black superintendent of Hempstead Independent School District this academic year.

Glover graduated from Prairie View A&M University with a bachelor's degree in agricultural education and a master's in the same field.

Glover credits his high school teacher and upbringing for motivating him to study agricultural education.

"When I graduated from Prairie View there was one black agriculture teacher and one white agriculture teacher in every school in Texas," said Glover, as he spoke about the difficulties of securing employment.

"I was blessed to get the job," Glover said. "The community seems to be excited about that. People in Hempstead are supportive of the school. They want the school and the community to do well."

Glover plans to tackle the high school's problem areas of math and science during his administration.

According to Glover a study conducted from 2003 to 2007 tracked the progress of Hempstead High School students' test scores and showed a significant improvement.

"We want to change the perception of how people look at Hempstead," said Glover. "That takes community involvement. That takes the parents, the churches, the businesses. Everyone needs to get on board."

Glover encouraged Prairie View A&M University students to get involved as well by volunteering through the after school tutoring program.

Prior to his new appointment, Glover taught vocational agriculture in Glosper County, N.J., served as an assistant high school principal in Crockett, Texas and as superintendent of Kennard Independent School District.

Glover said, whenever he loses focus of his goals, he enjoys visiting second grade classrooms because the students are eager to learn.

"If students could perpetuate this attitude throughout school years," Glover said, "student achievement would soar."