Walking into Su-Z Counselor Jessica Hooper’s office, students can observe a large number of trinkets, including small plants, encouraging posters, a plentitude of mugs, and stuffed dolls. Most importantly, however, they are greeted with the refreshingly calm energy of the cheerful counselor behind the desk.
Unlike many Westwood staff, Ms. Hooper did not grow up near the RRISD community. Coming from a small town on the coast of Texas, she graduated from high school in a class of around 100 people, a unique experience she believes still shapes her perspective today.
“Growing up in a small town has made me more understanding of different backgrounds or socioeconomic status, and college not being an option,” Ms. Hooper said. “Then, [I] moved to the city, where the expectation is very different [and] very high. It gives me a more well-rounded view of communities.”
After a period of experimentation when she searched to solidify her passions, Ms. Hooper graduated with her bachelor’s degree from the Texas A&M University of Houston-Victoria and received her master’s degree from Lamar University. With 13 years of experience in education, her main inspiration as an academic advisor stems from her own childhood counselor.
“In my community, we had one counselor [who] shared the role of the high school counselor and the middle school counselor,” Ms. Hooper said. “She helped everybody to the next level of adulthood, and it meant so much to me that she had ideas and options for everybody. As a little girl, I thought ‘I could be a teacher’, and then I met her, and I thought ‘I could still work in a school, but be a helper in a different way.’”
Outside of the office, Ms. Hooper enjoys spending time with her 16-year-old daughter, often through their shared interest in volleyball. Spanning from cooking to concerts, she revels in a range of dynamic activities while also appreciating the simplicity of nature, especially when taking care of her plants or neighborhood animals.
“[My daughter] is like my best friend, and I love to do things with her,” Ms. Hooper said. “Outside as a family, we do music festivals, but at home, I have a new obsession with the birds I feed in my backyard.”
While Ms. Hooper understands the pressure and academic rigor that comes with the high school environment, she aims to subdue that. Encouraging a balanced mindset, she reminds students that fostering a work-life balance is vital to productivity and health. As a fresh face, she hopes to bring about a more relaxed student-centered space where they can strive for success, but never forget to enjoy the ride.
“High school is so fun,” Ms. Hooper said. “This is the time in your life where you have this freedom to socialize and try new things, and once you’re out of it, it’s the best, so take every opportunity to have a great time!”
