Marisa Cook

Marisa Cook serves as Dean of Teachers at Great Hearts, a role she has held for 4 years after 7 years total in educational leadership. She began her career as a second grade teacher and volleyball coach, naturally gravitating toward guiding others, which led her to team lead and then building-wide support roles before stepping into administration. Cook earned her undergraduate degree from UMBC on a volleyball scholarship as a Division I athlete and later completed an MBA at the University of the Incarnate Word. She views her position as encompassing coaching, therapy, and human resources for teachers, focusing on developing their full potential through training, feedback, and systems that foster independence and leadership growth. Outside her professional work, Cook volunteers with A Women's Haven in San Antonio, donating regularly to support pregnant mothers. She credits her success to her mother's 43-year Army career rising to colonel, which modeled leading by example, her experience as a Division I athlete teaching hard work and time management, and her ability to learn from past failures. Cook values family, integrity, excellence, and humility, advising young women in the field to ask questions, learn from others, and remain humble.