Ms. Deja James is an HHS graduate that attended the University of Central Arkansas. She went to college to become a nurse for childhood cancer, but instead graduated with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. 

Before teaching, she was the manager of an apartment complex in Conway Arkansas called Lake Pointe. After 4 long years, she decided to move back home and start her teaching career. 

“I wanted to come back to Hooks to teach at HHS because it’s home,” James said,. “I would love to teach math or science to any grade, but preferably freshmen.” 

One of her biggest accomplishments was graduating college.

“College was probably one of my biggest challenges,” James said. ”But I managed to graduate.” 

One day, she hopes to open up her own non-profit organization, using different arts for therapy. Her biggest inspiration to push her to get all of these accomplishments was her nana, Sheilah Schmidt. She has always pushed Ms. James to accomplish her dreams.