Cooper’s Newest Assistant Principal

BY LINDSEY HANNAH

There is a fresh addition to the administrative team at Cooper City High School. It may be hard to know who I’m talking about with so many new faces on campus this year, so here are some clues: she has a doctorate, plays seven sports, and wants students to follow their hearts. Figure it out? Assistant Principal Carla Hozebin may be new to CCHS, but her accomplishments are nothing short of impressive. It with these experiences that she hopes to bring her own fresh insights to Cooper City High.

Assistant Principal Hozebin’s resume is extensive;  she has a doctorate in educational leadership from Southern Connecticut State University and has been a geography teacher as well as an assistant principal at a middle school in Connecticut. At Cooper City High School her responsibilities include the freshman class and ROTC in addition to the fine arts, PE/health, and social studies departments. When asked about her goals for the current school year, one objective stood out to Assistant Principal Hozebin.

“I would like to support teachers and involve them more in discussions about instruction,” Assistant Principal Hozebin said.

Her experience at Cooper City High thus far has been a bit of a contrast to that at her previous school. The campus is much larger and the students are older and more mature, as well as there being a larger team of administrators and support staff. Despite this increase in size, Assistant Principal Hozebin still hopes to get to know as many students as she possibly can.

“All the teachers and the students are very helpful, very kind,” Assistant Principal Hozebin said. “Everyone has welcomed me in such a nice way so that has been amazing.”

Assistant Principal Hozebin is a lifelong athlete, which is one of the reasons she chose to come to Florida. The year round weather is conducive to the myriad of sports she partakes in, including soccer, basketball, softball, rock climbing, Brazilian jiu jitsu, capoeira, and paddleboarding. Her favorite is basketball, but soccer is a very close second.

“[My favorite thing from high school was] being involved in a lot of sports and activities because I came from a tougher high school, it was pretty urban…,” Assistant Principal Hozebin said. “It helped me with time management, but also connecting with a group… You meet with that group, you get close to them, so that was probably one of the best things for me.”

She loves being in the game too much to be a coach, however, she will definitely be participating in any staff vs. student games that take place throughout the year.

“I think she would give an edge to the teachers’ team,” CCHS Senior Rose Balicki said. “Maybe she could bring some new events [to the games] with all of the sports she has experience with.”

She encourages getting involved in activities and striving to do well in academics, but Assistant Principal Hozebin also has some advice for high schoolers that is a bit more personal.

“I would say be yourself, and be true to yourself,” Assistant Principal Hozebin said. “Go with your heart and do what’s right.”