Hoover City Schools is proud to announce Dr. Brian Cocke as the district’s Fine Arts Specialist. This newly created position reflects the district’s commitment to supporting and enhancing fine arts education, ensuring its integration across all grade levels, and providing additional support for the district's Performing Arts Center, which opened in 2024.

Dr. Cocke brings over 23 years of experience as an educator, leader, and advocate for the arts. His career began in Jefferson County Schools as a music specialist, where he sponsored choir and drama clubs, served on district-level curriculum, textbook, and advisory committees, and was recognized as a Teacher of the Year finalist for the District. Currently, Dr. Cocke serves as a drama teacher at Trace Crossings Elementary and Gwin Elementary, where he creates curriculum, teaches over 1,200 students in 60 drama classes, and coordinates a variety of drama and school-wide programs.

Beyond the classroom, Dr. Cocke has presented at various conferences and held many leadership roles including the Festival Director for the Alabama Conference of Theatre where he coordinates the Trumbauer State High School Theatre Festival, an event involving over 125 schools, 2,800 student participants, 150 directors, and more than 140 volunteers. His responsibilities have included overseeing registration, budgets, scheduling, member services, and securing host venues while also developing a custom registration database, judging system, and member website. Additionally, he has often served as a teaching artist with Red Mountain Theatre, further demonstrating his dedication to the arts and his own personal and professional growth as an artist.

"I am truly excited to see this position come to fruition in Hoover City Schools,” Superintendent Dr. Kevin Maddox said. “Our fine arts teachers and school leaders have long recognized the value of having an advocate at the central office level. Dr. Cocke’s vast experience and deep passion for the arts make him an outstanding leader to enhance and expand fine arts programs across our district."

As the district’s Fine Arts Specialist, Dr. Cocke will collaborate with teachers and administrators to develop, refine, and implement a district-wide fine arts curriculum aligned with state and national standards. He will provide professional development, instructional support, and resources to elevate the quality of instruction in visual arts, music, theater, and dance. His role will also include facilitating workshops, training sessions, and peer collaborations to build instructional capacity among arts educators while promoting the integration of fine arts into other academic subjects to foster cross-curricular learning.

"It is an honor to take on this role and work with such talented educators, students, and community members," Dr. Cocke said. "I look forward to showcasing the fine arts in Hoover City Schools and building upon our strong tradition of excellence."

Dr. Cocke is a proud graduate of the University of Alabama, where he earned his bachelor’s, master’s, and educational specialist degrees in vocal/choral music education. He received his Doctorate in Organizational Development and Leadership from Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Arizona, and is a National Board Certified Teacher.

Please join Hoover City Schools in welcoming Dr. Cocke to this new role as he helps elevate the arts to new heights across the district. Dr. Cocke will officially begin in this new role in March 2025.