Many of Lisa Hildebrand’s most memorable moments as a student were spent dancing. “My favorite memory from high school was dancing on the field for Friday night hometown football games,” said Hildebrand. “We would spend countless hours in the gym perfecting our routines, and we were able to show our family and friends how hard we worked.”
At Victoria High School, Hildebrand danced with the Reserves as a freshman, later earning a spot on the Victoriadores Drill Team. There she learned DDR (Discipline, Determination, and Responsibility) from her Victoriadores Drill Team Director, Debbie Janes. She credits Janes for leaving the largest impact on her life during her time in school. “She taught me how important it is to show up and do your personal best every day. Even on days when you didn’t feel like it,” said Hildebrand.
Apart from the drill team, Hildebrand kept busy being involved in the Anchor Club, Student Council, National Honor Society, and even serving as class president in her junior year.
Before that, Hildebrand started her journey in Victoria ISD at Stanley Elementary School. She later attended Howell Intermediate School and went on to graduate from Victoria High School in 1992.
“All the schools I attended in VISD made me who I am today,” said Hildebrand. “No one becomes an independent, confident, honest, responsible and hard-working person by just studying textbooks in school. My campuses instilled these important traits in me through various experiences that made an impact on my life.”
After graduating from VHS, Hildebrand earned her Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies from Southwest Texas University (now Texas State University; eat ‘em up, cats!) in San Marcos, Texas. She went on to obtain her Master of Education in Education Administration from Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas.
Special memories from her time in school and the fact that both of her aunts were teachers in the district drew Hildebrand back to VISD in 1997. That year, she interviewed at O’Connor Elementary where she began her teaching career and the first of many years on #TeamVISD. At O’Connor, Hildebrand taught third grade for 11 years. She then taught third grade for another three years at Torres Elementary before becoming the Torres Elementary Instructional Coach.
Today, Hildebrand is the Assistant Principal at Torres Elementary School. This year will mark her 27th year with VISD.
When asked what advice she would give to current and future students in VISD, she said, “Don’t let anyone else define success for you. Love learning, never stop learning. The world is open to so many experiences. Be open to all!”
Thank you, Lisa, we are #VISDProud to have you as a part of #TeamVISD!
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Know a VISD alum that we should feature? We want to share their story! If you know or are a VISD alum, email us at visdcommunications@visd.net with your contact information and we will reach out.
Graisyn Nieto is the communications specialist at Victoria ISD.