An unexpected radio call sent Principal Adrienne Brown hurrying toward the YES Prep Hobby Secondary gym, prepared to respond to whatever her campus needed. Instead, she entered a gym filled with students, staff, and family members who had gathered to surprise her as she was named the 2026 Verani Distinguished School Leader Award. 

Presented by Teach For America and the Verani family, the award honors school leaders who have created meaningful change for students and their communities. The recognition also included a $15,000 award. 

Although Brown’s name appears on the award, she sees it as recognition of the entire Hobby community. 

“This is not a win just for me. This is a win for everybody,” Brown said. “I would not have this award without the work of my team and my staff and the students.” 

Making history at Hobby Secondary 

Brown describes her five years leading Hobby as a flight filled with turbulence. During that time, the growing campus faced challenges while continuing to build a community centered on high expectations and a shared belief in what students could achieve. 

That work led to a historic result. This year, Hobby rose four letter grades in its Texas Education Agency accountability rating to earn an A before graduating its first senior class. 

TEA evaluates campuses across Student Achievement, School Progress and Closing the Gaps. For high schools, those measures can include STAAR performance, academic growth, graduation rates, and indicators of college, career, and military readiness. Hobby earned its A before graduation, and readiness outcomes from its first senior class could be reflected in the campus’s accountability data. 

Eric Newcomer, head of schools at YES Prep, described Hobby’s progress as one of the most impressive school improvement efforts he has witnessed during his 25 years in education. He credited Brown with setting a clear vision, addressing difficult realities and bringing the campus community together around what was possible. 

Brown remained open to feedback and coaching throughout that work. Her willingness to grow strengthened partnerships and helped her develop other educators. As the campus improved academically, teachers received support to grow in their roles, families became more connected, and students gained new opportunities to succeed. 

Creating a school where students belong 

Students experience Brown’s leadership through her daily presence. She is known for greeting students in the morning, checking on them throughout the day and remaining visible in the hallways. They describe her as approachable and easy to talk to, especially when they need help. 

Senior Justice Elia recalled turning to Brown during a difficult moment because she trusted her and felt she could relate to her. Senior Isaac Tovar shared that Brown supported him through his own challenges without lowering her expectations. She continued pushing him because she believed he could reach the standard she had set. 

For senior Abigail Flores, who has attended Hobby for seven years, those consistent interactions have helped create a stronger sense of community. 

“A principal is someone who leads a school, but an amazing principal is someone who makes their students and staff feel like they truly belong,” Flores said. 

Brown greets Flores by name and checks on her regularly, including on days when coming to school feels difficult. Across the campus, Brown is known for bringing enthusiasm, charisma and genuine care to her interactions. Students know their principal notices them, believes in them and will be there when they need support. 

Growing into a life of service 

Education runs through Brown’s family. Her mother worked as an educator, and other relatives have pursued careers in education. They have watched Brown grow from a teenager serving younger students into a principal leading a school community of her own. 

Caroline Giese, director of academics at Hobby Secondary, described Brown as the pilot who guided the campus through five years of growth and challenges. Brown’s joy, kindness and belief in others earned the trust of a team that continued following her through each period of turbulence. 

For Brown, that leadership remains rooted in service. 

“I pray every morning when I wake up to be better than I was yesterday and to serve my students and staff with my best,” Brown said. “I believe education is the game changer.” 

Brown’s next goal is ensuring every Hobby student graduates prepared for college and a life of opportunity. The campus will continue working toward its college, career and military readiness goals while helping students demonstrate college readiness through the SAT and Texas Success Initiative Assessment. 

Hobby has earned an A and graduated its first senior class, but Brown is already focused on what the campus can accomplish next. 

In the words she shares with her school community, “Every day is an excellent day to be an Aviator.” 

 

About the Verani Distinguished School Leader Award 

The Verani Distinguished School Leader Award was founded by Asha and Farid Virani to recognize two Teach For America alumni serving as school leaders in Greater Houston. Recipients demonstrate dedication to their school communities and create opportunities for students through their leadership.