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Superintendent, Meet Dr. Darryl J. Henson

Dr. Darryl J. Henson

Superintendent of Schools

Dr. Darryl J. Henson serves as Superintendent of Hitchcock Independent School District, bringing nearly two decades of educational leadership experience and a proven track record of transforming schools and districts across Texas.

Professional Background

Dr. Henson's career exemplifies a deep commitment to educational excellence at every level. He began his journey as a fourth-grade teacher in Austin ISD before serving in increasingly responsible roles across multiple districts, including special education teacher, mathematics lead teacher, academy principal, elementary principal, high school principal, and assistant superintendent.

Most recently, Dr. Henson served as Superintendent of Marlin Independent School District from 2020 to 2025, where his courageous leadership earned him national recognition. In December 2025, he received the prestigious Ida B. Wells Risk Taker Award from the National Alliance of Black School Educators (NABSE) for his work at Marlin ISD, where he ensured that every student in the 2023 graduating class met state requirements before receiving their diploma—demonstrating that high standards paired with strong support systems can transform outcomes for all students, regardless of circumstance.

Dr. Henson's experience spans diverse educational settings across Texas, from urban Houston ISD to suburban Cedar Hill ISD, from El Paso's Ysleta ISD to Central Texas communities. He has also served as a Professor of Practice at Baylor University (2022-2024), where he prepared the next generation of educational leaders while simultaneously leading Marlin ISD.

His expertise includes K-12 education, literacy development, classroom management, student discipline, and education reform—all grounded in practical experience and research-based practices.

Education and Credentials

Doctor of Education (Ed.D.), Curriculum and Instruction
University of Houston, 2013-2014
Dissertation: A Study of the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme and Ninth Grade Student Achievement in Texas High Schools

Master of Education (M.Ed.), Educational Leadership and Policy Studies
The University of Texas at Arlington, 2009-2011

Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Education
The University of Texas at Austin, 2002-2006

Vision for Hitchcock ISD

Dr. Henson's vision for Hitchcock ISD is grounded in a simple but powerful belief: every student deserves access to excellent instruction, and every educator deserves the support necessary to deliver it.

Under his leadership, Hitchcock ISD is implementing a comprehensive strategy focused on achieving measurable improvement across all five campuses within 180 days. This plan prioritizes:

Instructional Excellence
Strengthening Tier 1 classroom instruction across all grade levels and content areas, ensuring that every lesson is purposeful, engaging, and aligned to state standards. This includes robust professional development for teachers, strategic use of data to inform instruction, and a relentless focus on student growth.

Operational Efficiency
Building systems and structures that allow educators to focus on teaching and students to focus on learning. This includes improved financial oversight, strategic resource allocation, and transparent communication with all stakeholders.

Accountability and Support
Establishing clear expectations for performance while providing the support necessary for success. This means holding ourselves accountable to high standards while ensuring teachers, staff, and students have the tools and resources they need to meet those standards.

Community Partnership
Rebuilding trust with families and the broader Hitchcock community through transparent communication, fiscal responsibility, and a demonstrated commitment to putting students first in every decision.

Core Beliefs

Dr. Henson's leadership is guided by several core principles:

  • High Expectations, High Support
    Students rise to the level of expectations we set for them, but only when those expectations are paired with the resources, instruction, and support needed to meet them. We will never lower the bar—instead, we will build the systems that help every student reach it.

  • Demographics Do Not Equal Destiny
    Every student, regardless of background or circumstance, can achieve at high levels when given access to excellent instruction and meaningful opportunities. We refuse to make excuses or accept achievement gaps as inevitable. Our job is to close them.

  • Courage in Leadership
    Making the right decision for students sometimes requires taking risks and standing firm in the face of challenges. Leadership is not about popularity—it's about doing what's right, even when it's difficult.

  • Transparency Builds Trust
    Open, honest communication about challenges and progress is essential to rebuilding confidence in our schools. We will be transparent about where we are, where we're going, and how we're getting there.

  • Excellence is Non-Negotiable
    We are allergic to average. Every decision, every initiative, every conversation must be filtered through one question: Is this the best we can do for our students? If the answer is no, we keep working until the answer is yes.

A Message from Dr. Henson

"Hitchcock ISD is a district with incredible potential. We have dedicated educators, talented students, and a community that cares deeply about the future of our schools. My job is to ensure that potential translates into results—that every child who walks through our doors receives an education that prepares them not just to graduate, but to thrive in whatever path they choose after graduation.

This work is not easy, and transformation doesn't happen overnight. But I am confident that together—with our teachers, staff, families, and community partners—we can build a school district that makes Hitchcock proud and ensures every Bulldog has the ability to chase excellence in all that they do.

We will not settle for average. We will not make excuses. We will hold ourselves accountable to the highest standards, and we will support our students and staff in reaching them. That is my commitment to this community.

Let's get to work."

Contact Information

Office: 409-316-6545 ext. 1501
Email: dhenson@hitchcockisd.org
Location: Hitchcock ISD Administration Building

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