West Valley Magazine, March 2011, Mover, Beverly Hurley
Posted on 25. Feb, 2011 by trish in West Valley 24
The daughter of parents who each worked in education, Beverly Hurley has herself been an educator for 35 years with roles including teacher, counselor, peer counseling coordinator, athletic director, assistant principal, and principal. She became Superintendent of the Buckeye Union High School District in 2003 after working for 26 years in education in Flagstaff.
At the National Conference on Education in Denver last month, Dr. Hurley was honored as the Arizona Superintendent of the Year. In November, she was recognized by the American Association of School Administrators as one of 51 Women in School Leadership Award winners. Dr. Hurley was named the Arizona High School Principal of the Year in 2000, and the following year was chosen the 2001 NASSP/MetLife National High School Principal of the Year.
Dedicated to improving education in the West Valley community, Dr. Hurley devotes time and energy at local, state and national levels. She currently serves on the West Ed Board of Directors and on numerous other education and community panels and committees. She is an adjunct professor at Arizona State University and a member of the President’s Advisory Council of Estrella Mountain Community College. Dr. Hurley is a past president of Arizona School Administrators and has been a member of the National Council of State Legislators Task Force on School Leadership, the National Commission for the Advancement of Educational Leadership Preparation, and the Oquirrh Institute Teachers to Tomorrow project.
She is proud of the Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council that she has implemented in the Buckeye District. Its purpose is to develop leadership skills, and improve communication and outreach to schools and communities. “I value interacting directly with the students and hearing their opinions on various issues,” she said.
“Dr. Hurley is an esteemed instructional leader known throughout the West Valley and across the state of Arizona for her innovative and responsive academic leadership. She is a hands-on and visible leader who successfully and systematically breaks down the barriers to systemic reform through her unwavering commitment to public education,” states Buckeye Union’s Assistant Superintendent Kari Klein.
Dr. Hurley lives in Litchfield Park and enjoys spending time with her daughter Caitlin and son-in-law Danny, who are also both educators, as well as her grandsons Jace and Cade, and her mother.
Years in the West Valley? 8
Family? Caitlin Filleman (daughter), Danny Filleman (son in law), Jace and Cade Filleman (grandsons), Janie Smith (mother), two brothers, one sister, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Favorite quote: Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed can change the world, indeed it’s the only thing that ever has. – Margaret Mead
Who in history would you most like to have dinner with? John F. Kennedy
What’s your favorite book? Leadership Challenge by James M. Kouzes and Barry Z. Posner.
What’s your favorite musical group? Stevie Nicks.
What’s your biggest inspiration and why? My parents. They always encouraged me to “go for it “, and instilled in me strong work ethics and the belief that I could indeed achieve my goals and dreams.
What do you know about life that you wish you had known 10 or 20 years ago? Dealing with the loss of a parent and assisting with the needs associated with the aging process of another parent is hard to deal with than I ever imagined.
What’s your favorite place/feature in the West Valley? Wolrd Wildlife Zoo and the White Tanks Regional Park hiking trails.
What’s your favorite cause? Hospice.
What would your super power be? Being able to see into the future and having the ability to cause the negative things to have a positive outcome.
Describe yourself as a child: Confident, outgoing, an overachiever, a pleaser.
What keeps you up at night? Thinking about the things that must be done immediately.
One phrase you wish people wouldn’t say, or would say more: I wish people would sincerely say thank you more often and mean it.
What’s your favorite food? Ice cream.
What’s your biggest pet peeve? People checking blackberries during meetings or taking cell phone calls in the middle of meetings.
What originally drew you to the West Valley? I was approcahed by the Executive Director of the Arizon School Administrations Association about applying for my current position. My son-in-law and daughter also lived in the West Valley and I wanted to be closer to t hem. So after 26 years in education in Flagstaff, I decided to apply.
What drives you? Knowing that I truly make a difference in thousands of lives every year drives me, I have to do my best every day because my responsabilities and duties impact the lives of students, employees, partents and the overella community in myriad ways.
What is the secret to your success Hard work and understanding the vast complexities of what it takes to deliver high-quality, relevant educational opportunities to students. Having been a teacher, counselor, assistant principal, and principal. I truly do understand how schools work and the importance schools play educating our most precious commodity… our children. I also believe in working within a shared leadership model. Empowering other in an organization to do their best work, and letting them do it, makes the overall system very strong.
How do you feel the West Valley has affected you, and how do you feel you’ve affected the West Valley? I love the West Valley. I am proud of the tremendous gains in academic growth, the quality facilities provided by bond elections passed by our supportive communities, and the vast array of extra-curricular activities offered for our youth found in schols throughout the West Vally. It has been rewarding and exciting toi be associated with the schools and community organizations involved with making these things happen.
