Hope Ott English

Hope Ott English, a longtime teacher and advanced services coordinator for Plainview Independent School District, joined Wayland Baptist University as director of student leadership and involvement and later became director of development in the Office of Advancement.

She was honored as Plainview’s Woman of the Year in 2003 and described as “selfless, devoted and a role model.” In her words, “I was privileged to grow up in Plainview in the 1950s and 1960s and it was like `Leave It to Beaver´ (a popular family TV show of the early 1960s). My parents, Angus and Vera Ott, taught me a work ethic: When you decide what you want to do, give everything you have and be loyal to it. My mother’s legacy is described by the bumper sticker on her car — ‘I love my job. I’m a volunteer.’ ”

Among her numerous activities, Ms. English has been involved in the VIP Luncheon, Christmas Parade, and other leadership positions in the Chamber of Commerce. She served on the board of the Hale County Literacy Council and was the Plainview Symphony Guild Debutante director; she organized a Veterans Salute and a celebration of the 50th anniversary of Plainview High School. She co-teaches a Sunday school class for singles at First Baptist Church.

While leading advanced services for the Plainview Independent School District, she served for four years as co-sponsor of the PHS Student Council. During her tenure she started a “Senior Prom” that partnered high school student leaders with local senior citizen dancers, and she developed the first United Way drive involving high school students. Ms. English is co-chair of the Wayland Centennial Celebration (2008–2009) and uses her extensive studies of Wayland’s history in her many community presentations.

She was born in 1949 and graduated from PHS in 1967, then earned her degree in education from North Texas State University.

She has two sons.