Education: Washington School (when it had grades K-8); Benjamin Bosse High School (1991); Bachelor of Science in Professional Chemistry, University of Evansville (1995); Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership (2004) and Master of Science in Education (2005), University of Southern Indiana
Hometown: Evansville
Resume: Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation Superintendent (2025-present); Chief of Schools and Instructional Care (2022-25); Director of High School Support, Curriculum, and Instruction (2015-22); Principal, Central High School (2010-15); Advanced Placement/Programmer, Bosse High School (2007-10); Science Department Chair, Central (2006-07); chemistry teacher, Bosse (2001-06)
Family: Husband Brian; sons Jared, 27, Ethan, 22, and Conor, 17
Although Darla Hoover enjoyed the seven years she worked as a chemist, she pondered the tutelage of Jerry Sanders, her chemistry teacher at Benjamin Bosse High School. “He said, ‘I think you should come and be a teacher for us,’” she recalls. “I took that leap of faith, and I loved it.” Hoover, 52, now leads the school district that educated her. “There are amazing things happening here every day,” says Hoover, the first female superintendent of the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation. “It is an honor for me to be able to represent us in the community.”
You attended Washington School when it was K-8. How did your first teachers impact you?
I grew up with not a lot of money. I was raised by my great-grandparents. They didn’t know a lot about school, but they trusted my teachers, made sure I had what I needed, and I knew education was important. And my teachers saw something in me before I did.
What did you learn in your first year as superintendent?
This has been a really pleasant surprise, but anytime I’ve spoken to any community groups, there’s this willingness to help: “What do you all need? What can we do?” That has been refreshing and a really hopeful place to be for a public school system.
Describe a typical day on the job.
When I’m making decisions about curricular resources or safety and security, the best position I can be in is understanding what is happening in our buildings, and what the needs are of teachers and staff and principals. On a typical day, I usually start (in my office) and have conversations with the board president and some checkins with leadership … and then I’ll try to go to either one of our buildings, or some afternoons, it’s a meeting with a community partner. I never want to just be here in the office.
How does EVSC stay competitive with increased school choice and homeschooling?
We have to deliver on what is most important to (families) in hopes that they will choose us. I am proud that we are rich in opportunities, and our size is our strength because of the resources we have. All students can find success here, whether you’re high ability or a struggling kindergartner who’s never had organized pre-K. …We think about all learners and what they need. For example, multilingual learners on the South Side, we’ve seen an increase in enrollment. One of our schools with a high multilingual learner population has seen extraordinary gains in reading that I’ll be able to share with the community soon.
What lessons did former Superintendent David Smith leave you?
David was and is very passionate about our school district and his belief in public schools. … He believes public schools are the greatest investment a community can make and was so proud that we welcome and educate all students regardless of background, abilities, circumstances. … I feel the same way, and I’m the beneficiary of a district that believes in a young person.
