Susan Martin Hauk has announced she will seek election to the Place 2 seat on the Cullman City School Board in the Aug. 23 municipal election. 

Hauk, a longtime Cullman resident with an even longer family history rooted in public service, said she feels her years of work with children in various capacities has equipped her well to serve the interests of students in the Cullman City Schools.

“I have made children a priority for over 35 years,” said Hauk. “If elected, I am anxious to work with fellow school board members, and the superintendent, to implement the Cullman City Schools’ strategic plan — with emphasis on adequate facilities for our growing student population.

“I am keenly aware that, as a member of a board, there are many facts known only to the board that guides a decision,” she added. “I admire the current board and superintendent for the tasks they have undertaken, without judgement. I do not have any agenda — only a strong desire to serve our children.”

Susan and her husband — retired Cullman educator Ernest W. Hauk — have one daughter, Samantha, currently a junior at Cullman High School. They’re a family who nurtures a common passion for both education and service. 

Since marrying Ernest and moving to Cullman 19 years ago, Susan has worked with Victims Services of Cullman; served six years as a part-time school counselor at Sacred Heart School; and held active membership in numerous child-focused advocacy organizations — including the Cullman County Partnership for Children, the County Multi-Needs Team, the Children’s Policy Council, the Juvenile Conference Committee (which she served as coordinator), and the Cullman City Head Start Policy Council. 

Hauk has also served as a counselor for young people identified as “at risk” students in the Cullman City School system. Hauk’s counseling career is supported by a prodigious background of education, certification and service — much of it involving young people. 

Currently a therapist with the Youth Services Institute of the University of Alabama School of Social Work — a position she’s held for seven years — Hauk holds a Bachelors Degree in Social Work from the University of Alabama and a Masters Degree in Counseling from the University of South Alabama.  

In her professional career, Hauk worked more than eight years as a social worker for the Mobile Association for Retarded Citizens. She has also worked as a private practice therapist. Her role as counselor at Victims Services of Cullman led directly to Hauk’s 11-year stint as the the founding Director of Brooks’ Place, the Child Advocacy Center of Cullman. 

“At Brooks’ Place, through careful budgeting and successful grant writing, I brought the annual budget from $65,000.00 in our first year to over a half million dollars annually — and I maintained a balanced budget in each of those years,” she said. 

That kind of fiscal stewardship will be useful in a role that requires the school board to pursue excellence while working with finite funds — all while ensuring equitable opportunities for all students.

“I hope to look closely at our athletics programs to ensure all our participants have equal opportunities, along with working with the superintendent, the board, and booster clubs to address adequate and equitable funding,” said Hauk. “I also hope to evaluate the educational course offerings, for all school and student ability levels and interests.

“I hope to encourage the hiring of only the best personnel to teach our children.  And, finally, I hope to work cooperatively with the city to continue — and to deepen —the spirit of close association we currently have.”

Hauk is the daughter of former Oxford, Ala. Mayor Earl Martin and former Oxford Councilwoman Norma Martin. Her husband, Ernest, served two terms on the Cullman City Council. 

“Service to the community, as well as close ties to education, have surrounded me throughout my life,” said Hauk. “My husband, mother, two brothers, and sisters-in-law have all been career educators. And I’ve always had very close ties to public service.

“That extends from the municipal level down to the family level,” she added. “Samantha’s involvement in sports has led to me being a member, and a former vice president, of the Cullman High School Soccer Booster Club, and the board secretary for the Alabama Youth Soccer Organization. 

“I’ve been involved in a lot of things, but I enjoy it,” she added. “And I truly believe that my qualifications, and my abilities, really obligate me to view those kinds of things as opportunities for service.”

Hauk said her personal interests include sports, reading, travel, and attending music concerts and stage performances. The Hauks are also members of the Friends of Frankweiler Sister City Organization. 

Susan and her family are members of the Roman Catholic faith.

* Benjamin Bullard can be reached by phone at 256-734-2131 ext. 145.