Archer Fellowship Program Alumni Profiles
Zack C. Hall
Spring 2009 Archer Fellow
Internship: Texas Office of State and Federal Relations
Education
The University of Texas at Austin
B.A. Government; May 2009
Southern Methodist University
M.Ed. Urban Education Leadership; 2014
Career
Principal in the Dallas Independent School District
Teach for America Corps - previous
Spring 2009 Archer Fellow
Internship: Texas Office of State and Federal Relations
Education
The University of Texas at Austin
B.A. Government; May 2009
Southern Methodist University
M.Ed. Urban Education Leadership; 2014
Career
Principal in the Dallas Independent School District
Teach for America Corps - previous
“As an Archer Fellow, I learned that what happens in D.C. has major implications for our students, our families, and our communities back home. The Archer Fellowship taught me how to be a professional and how to navigate in a highly political, highly charged environment-- our public school system.
Q & A with Zack
Please tell us more about your current position.
Serving as a public elementary school principal is, without question, one of the liveliest public service positions out there! The "typical" day looks and feels a little like the television show, "The West Wing" -- meaning it is very lively and there is no "typical" day. The biggest takeaway, though, is that working to better the lives of our kids, our families and our community is beyond rewarding!
Please tell us more about your Archer Fellowship Program internship.
I helped represent the great state of Texas on Capitol Hill during my semester in Washington. We helped connect the Governor, the Legislature and agencies like the Texas Education Agency with their counterparts in Washington-- in the middle of a presidential transition. I learned a lot about how the state and federal government interact on a daily basis.
What has been your general career path?
Following the Archer Fellowship, I joined Teach for America in my hometown of Dallas, Texas. While teaching both elementary and middle school, I attended graduate school in urban education leadership at Southern Methodist University (SMU). After graduating from SMU, I became principal of a bilingual, dual-language elementary school, the 12th best in Dallas ISD. This fall, after eight years in Dallas ISD (and four years as an administrator), my partner and I are transitioning to Shanghai, China, for a two-year adventure, where I will be working in international education. In 2019, I plan to begin law school, with the goal of impacting public policy and education in Texas.
How has your experience as an Archer Fellow influenced your career path and goals?
As an Archer Fellow, I learned that what happens in D.C. has major implications for our students, our families, and our communities back home. The Archer Fellowship taught me how to be a professional and how to navigate in a highly political, highly charged environment-- our public school system.
What did you value the most about your Archer Fellowship Program experience?
The Archer Fellowship taught me how to be a professional. I still remember the life-lessons from Dr. Daly and Dr. Swerdlow. They were the best professors that I had in my four years at The University of Texas at Austin.
What do you value the most about being an alumnus?
Archer Fellows are making an impact everywhere, even in public education. My former colleague and mentor in Dallas ISD (my former boss, actually!), is a proud Archer Fellow (Tim Hise, Spring '03). Archer Fellow alumni tend to find each other and stick together!
What is your favorite memory as an Archer Fellow?
President Obama's inauguration is not just an Archer Fellowship memory, but a life memory. Everything was unique: Trying to score tickets, the Secret Service security sweep of the Archer Fellow house, standing in the freezing cold on the National Mall, the Texas Black Tie and Boots Inaugural Ball-- it was, without question, a once-in-a-lifetime moment that I will forever cherish.
Please tell us more about your current position.
Serving as a public elementary school principal is, without question, one of the liveliest public service positions out there! The "typical" day looks and feels a little like the television show, "The West Wing" -- meaning it is very lively and there is no "typical" day. The biggest takeaway, though, is that working to better the lives of our kids, our families and our community is beyond rewarding!
Please tell us more about your Archer Fellowship Program internship.
I helped represent the great state of Texas on Capitol Hill during my semester in Washington. We helped connect the Governor, the Legislature and agencies like the Texas Education Agency with their counterparts in Washington-- in the middle of a presidential transition. I learned a lot about how the state and federal government interact on a daily basis.
What has been your general career path?
Following the Archer Fellowship, I joined Teach for America in my hometown of Dallas, Texas. While teaching both elementary and middle school, I attended graduate school in urban education leadership at Southern Methodist University (SMU). After graduating from SMU, I became principal of a bilingual, dual-language elementary school, the 12th best in Dallas ISD. This fall, after eight years in Dallas ISD (and four years as an administrator), my partner and I are transitioning to Shanghai, China, for a two-year adventure, where I will be working in international education. In 2019, I plan to begin law school, with the goal of impacting public policy and education in Texas.
How has your experience as an Archer Fellow influenced your career path and goals?
As an Archer Fellow, I learned that what happens in D.C. has major implications for our students, our families, and our communities back home. The Archer Fellowship taught me how to be a professional and how to navigate in a highly political, highly charged environment-- our public school system.
What did you value the most about your Archer Fellowship Program experience?
The Archer Fellowship taught me how to be a professional. I still remember the life-lessons from Dr. Daly and Dr. Swerdlow. They were the best professors that I had in my four years at The University of Texas at Austin.
What do you value the most about being an alumnus?
Archer Fellows are making an impact everywhere, even in public education. My former colleague and mentor in Dallas ISD (my former boss, actually!), is a proud Archer Fellow (Tim Hise, Spring '03). Archer Fellow alumni tend to find each other and stick together!
What is your favorite memory as an Archer Fellow?
President Obama's inauguration is not just an Archer Fellowship memory, but a life memory. Everything was unique: Trying to score tickets, the Secret Service security sweep of the Archer Fellow house, standing in the freezing cold on the National Mall, the Texas Black Tie and Boots Inaugural Ball-- it was, without question, a once-in-a-lifetime moment that I will forever cherish.
