Her Story
About Maria
Maria T. Hoover, Ed.D., is an educational leadership professional with 33 years of experience in education, beginning her career as a teacher and progressing through roles including principal, central-office coordinator and supervisor, assistant superintendent, and director of professional learning at an education service agency. She currently serves as Supervisor for Educational Leadership and STEM at the Chester County Intermediate Unit in Southeast Pennsylvania, where she provides strategic leadership and supports educational leadership services, STEM initiatives, professional networks, coaching, and leadership development for educators and leaders across the region and state. Her career has focused on strengthening educational systems, developing leaders, supporting professional learning, and helping schools and educators respond to evolving needs.
In addition to her work in education, Maria is a certified executive coach who works with leaders both within and outside of education. Her coaching focuses on emotionally intelligent leadership, leadership development, and building organizational culture. Her doctoral research examined the impact of leadership development and executive coaching on administrator retention, reflecting her broader interest in developing and retaining effective leaders. Maria also contributed a chapter to the University of Pennsylvania book *Empowered Women Empower Women*, exploring the challenges women can encounter in male-prevalent professional structures and approaches to empowering women to use their voices and take up space. She holds a doctorate in education, multiple certifications, and a Superintendent Letter of Eligibility.
Maria's approach to leadership is deeply rooted in her passion for people, compassion, continuous learning, and the examples set by her parents. She is involved in the Leadership Chester County development program through the United Way and supports local and Black-owned businesses, with particular concern for initiatives that help children and families, including efforts focused on feeding children and ensuring they have what they need. Outside of her professional work, she enjoys art, reading, culture, spending time with family and friends, traveling, and writing. She is currently researching and writing her parents' story with the goal of potential publication.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Maria
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my passion for people and their individual stories. Through teaching children and leading adults, I have learned to look at the person before the situation and recognize that everyone brings their own experiences and, sometimes, difficult stories to the table. All of which deserve to be honored and heard. Much of that passion and compassion comes from my parents, who led by example and kindness despite facing adversity as a biracial couple in the early 1970s. My mother was a teacher for 40 years, and my father was one of the most compassionate people I have ever known. An article published after his passing was titled “Hundreds Recall, He Cared,” which reflects the kind of person he was and the example he set for me. My family are my heart including my three children and my goal is to ensure that by my example, they become confident, credible leaders in their own spaces in life.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Be you and even if you don't think you are ready, do it anyway.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Establish your space and hold it. Be prepared to work hard while you lead fully as yourself, but be vulnerable enough to learn and evolve. My philosophy is to learn, apply, and then learn again. Throughout a career, it is important to be prepared to reinvent yourself multiple times and to continue developing the soft skills that influence how you communicate and show up professionally. I also encourage women not to allow themselves to be placed in a box that does not fit who they are or who they want to become. If someone tries to push you into a role or identity you do not want, do not stay there. Establish your space, use your voice, continue learning, and create opportunities to contribute in meaningful ways. And never forget, you don't need a seat at the table, you ARE the table. Invite others and make space moving forward.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The value of learning and knowing that this involves persistence, attentiveness and the finding meaning and value in the work, is something that has been replaced with instant gratification. We need to raise people who not only ask questions but question things so that true learning can take place. This is challenging in a system of compliance in some ways. We need to reinvent how we reach and communicate the importance of learning.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Passion for people, compassion, kindness, continuous learning, and meaningful relationships are central to my values. I believe in looking at the person before the situation and understanding the individual stories and experiences that shape people. I also value learning and growth, both personally and professionally, and believe strongly in leading by example. I also believe in the true sense of inclusivity and being an "upstander" not just a bystander. In my profession, if the door exists, it Will be open for all to enter and it is my job to accept them, and make their experience while under my roof, the best it can be. The world will tell you what you can't do. I will only tell you what you CAN do so let's get to it.
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