JoLisa Hoover

JoLisa Hoover is an educator, teacher leader, and public education advocate who has built her career around helping educators bring their classroom expertise into the rooms where decisions are made. Her education career began in 1992 and includes 26 years of classroom teaching experience.

She currently serves as Director of Community and Insights at Raise Your Hand Texas, where she leads digital advocacy infrastructure, data-informed engagement strategy, and strategic partnerships that support public education initiatives across Texas. Since joining the organization in 2019, Hoover has also directed teacher-facing legislative efforts, preparing educators to meet with lawmakers, share their classroom stories, and testify before the Texas Legislature.

A former U.S. Department of Education Teaching Ambassador Fellow and Senior Fellow with Teach Plus Texas, Hoover has worked at the state and national levels to strengthen educator voice in policy conversations. Her work includes legislative testimony, coalition-building, educator leadership development, and direct support for teachers learning to advocate for their students, schools, and profession.

Hoover brings governance and stakeholder leadership experience through her service as President of the McMurry Alumni Association, a member of the McMurry Board of Trustees, and the McMurry Board of Visitors. Her recognitions include the 2025 Ann Spence Servant Leadership Award and two-time finalist recognition for the H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards.

Throughout her work, Hoover has remained committed to a simple belief: education policy is stronger when informed by teachers' expertise.