Real-World Experience in the Classroom: Deanna Hawks’s Path to Teaching and Coaching at PRP
Like many Academy Coaches, Pleasure Ridge Park Academy Coach Deanna Hawks found her calling in teaching as a second career. With a dynamic background in sales and advertising, she brings a wealth of industry knowledge and experience to her role, helping shape the business and marketing skills of her students.
A Career in Sales and Advertising
After college, Mrs. Hawks launched her career at Coca-Cola Bottling, working closely with store owners to manage their beverage orders. Her role evolved, and she transitioned to the advertising department, where she excelled as a media buyer, collaborating with radio and television stations to place ads effectively. Her expertise with advertising software eventually led her to a position as a client service representative for the software company itself—a testament to her adaptability and skill.
As her family grew, Mrs. Hawks sought a career that offered stability and a chance to give back. In 2010, she decided to pursue teaching, successfully passed the GRE, and began studying at the University of Louisville. That summer, she joined PRP as a business teacher, where she continued her education while teaching subjects like finance, accounting, Microsoft Suite, and marketing principles.
The Panther Pit: More Than Just a Store
One of Mrs. Hawks's signature projects at PRP is the Panther Pit, the student-managed, on-campus store. In its early days, Mrs. Hawks and her colleagues pieced together display cases, tablecloths, and mannequins to open the shop. Initially operating on a pre-order basis due to limited funding, the Panther Pit has since blossomed into a fully functioning retail space stocked with student-designed and -created merchandise.
For Academies of Louisville students in the marketing pathway, the Panther Pit offers hands-on experience with every aspect of store management—merchandising, purchasing, creation, sales, and customer service. Students even manage the store’s social media accounts, promoting products to the PRP community and gaining real-world marketing experience.
Looking Ahead: Elevating Student Voices
As Mrs. Hawks looks to the future, one of her goals is to amplify student voices within the Academies of Louisville. Recognizing that students are the most powerful advocates for the program, she aims to create more opportunities for them to share their successes and experiences throughout the school year.
By blending her professional background with her passion for teaching, Mrs. Hawks is empowering the next generation of business leaders—ensuring her students leave PRP with both knowledge and confidence.
