I am so excited to start our new adventure together as your Hofius Theatre Director. Theatre is life. We reflect our sense of humanity through the craft of Theatre. Students that participate in Theatre create a deeper sense of awareness and connection with who they are as well as the world around them. I believe in fostering their creativity to promote confidence and spark real-world experiences.

I am coming to your with 19 years of public school teaching experience. I graduated in 1995 from Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Michigan with a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Arts and English. I moved to Houston in August of 1995 to teach Middle School Theatre Arts in Alief ISD for 7 years. We moved to Cy-Fair ISD in 2003, where I taught a split between High School Tech Theatre and Middle School Theatre. In 2005, I moved to Katy ISD to open up Seven Lakes High School as their Speech and Debate Coach. I ran a team of 60+ students with LD, PF and CX Debate along with Oral Interpretation events.

In 2008, I had my sweet twin girls and we moved to Spring, TX. After staying home with them for 6 years, I decided it was time to come back to the teaching world. In 2013, I took a Theatre Arts split teaching position between Kleb and Ulrich Intermediate for Klein ISD. After traveling for the last 4 years, I am beyond thrilled to become a Hawk and make Hofius my forever home!

On a personal note, I have been married for 18 years and my twin girls will be in 6th grade at Hildebrandt. I enjoy sewing, gardening, playwriting and swimming. I've owned a sewing business, Just Sew since 2002 where I give private sewing lessons to children and adults as well as offer custom sewing projects to clients. I am currently working on publishing a Middle School Debate Textbook as well as several short duet scenes and a play.

I am so excited to work with Marisa Hurst to make the Hofius Theatre Department a welcoming place of creativity and family.

Starting her 21st year of teaching theatre in Klein ISD and 24th year as an educator, Marisa Hurst is coming to Hofius Intermediate from Hildebrandt Intermediate. Graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Drama, English, and Radio/TV/Film, Marisa has pursued a variety of careers in journalism, communications, and education.

In addition to teaching high school theatre, English, journalism, and directing drill teams; she has worked as a newspaper reporter in East Texas, an assistant editor for the Texas Bar Journal (legal journal for Texas lawyers), a media relations specialist for the University of Houston, and an assignments editor for KHOU-TV.

Marisa loves to read historical novels and mysteries, watch classic movies, write creatively, and travel. Her lifelong desire is to make a positive difference in the lives of others. She enjoys keeping in touch with many of her former students and witnessing their life successes. And, she is extremely excited about opening a new theatre department with Jennifer Lushbaugh and the incoming Hawk Headliners.