Quitman High School Principal Dana Hamrick will be moving to the central administrative office as the director of curriculum. QHS Assistant Principal Justin Cowart will move to the principal’s position. 

“Ms. Hamrick has done a phenomenal job leading the high school campus and she will be a great addition to central office. She has a broad knowledge in curriculum and instruction, and her expertise in this area will be invaluable to the district,” Superintendent Rhonda Turner said. “Additionally, she will be taking on SHARS which is Student Health and Related Services. This is an area where we can increase revenue to the district, and I am confident in her ability to manage this program.”

Hamrick is a graduate of East Bernard High School. She attended Texas A&M University, where she earned a bachelor of science degree in curriculum and instruction. She holds a master of arts degree in school counseling from the University of Texas at Tyler and is also certified as a Texas school principal and superintendent.

Hamrick joined the Quitman High School faculty in January 1998 and was a teacher and counselor before becoming an administrator in 2015. Her administrative experience includes serving as the principal of the district’s disciplinary alternative education program (DAEP) campus, as well as being the district testing coordinator and the career and technical education director. She has been the high school principal since March 2016.

She is married to Kelly Hamrick, a graduate of Quitman High School. They have two sons, Blake, a 2011 QHS graduate, and Brad, a 2015 QHS graduate. 

Hamrick is excited and eager to make the move to central administration and is looking forward to serving the curriculum and SHARS needs of the district.

“Curriculum and instruction is where my heart is, and I’m absolutely thrilled to be given this opportunity to work with our students and teachers in this new capacity. I’m really looking forward to it and can’t wait to get started,” Hamrick said. 

Cowart was born and raised in East Texas. He attended school in Lindale and graduated in 2000. He attended Stephen F. Austin State University and graduated with honors in 2004 with his bachelor’s degree in kinesiology. 

“Mr. Cowart has had two years on the high school campus and is one of the most coachable new administrators I have ever had. He is well respected on the campus, has a great rapport with the students and is absolutely ready to take on the leadership role at the high school campus,” Turner said.

While attending SFA, he married his high school sweetheart, Katherine. In the fall of 2005, Cowart started teaching and coaching at Lindale Jr. High, where he worked for 14 years. He taught seventh and eighth grade science, technology, health, outdoor adventures and PE. He also coached football, basketball, track and tennis. 

In 2008, the Cowarts had their first child, Dryver. The couple also started the process to become foster parents. Once they were licensed, they fostered eight children over the span of two years. They adopted a five-year-old child, Fielder, in 2017, through the foster adoptive program. 

While teaching in Lindale, Cowart completed his masters in educational leadership and became a certified principal through SFA. His administrative journey began at Quitman High School in 2019, when he was hired as the assistant principal. 

Cowart also holds his superintendent’s certification.

“I am excited about the opportunity to lead the Quitman High School campus as principal in the 2021 school year. QHS is a special place and I am looking forward to working more closely with our students, parents, families and community,” Cowart said.