TWHS Highsteppers Directors
Heather Hays - Director
Heather grew up in The Woodlands and was a Highstepper from 2001-2004. She served as an officer in her junior and senior years. Following TWHS graduation, she attended Kilgore College where she was a Rangerette. She completed her education at Baylor University with a degree in Elementary Education. While at Baylor, Heather was a member of the Baylor Songleaders Dance Team where she served as Captain her senior year. Heather taught Kindergarten and first grade for four years before moving to the high school level to teach dance. She is married to John Hays who also teaches and coaches at TWHS. Heather was excited to be back at her alma mater teaching and serving as the assistant to her Highstepper director and mentor, Deanna Smith. In 2021 Heather Hays became Director of TWHS Highsteppers.
Emily Shreve - Assistant Director
Emily has lived in The Woodlands almost her whole life and has danced competitively with multiple studios in The Woodlands. Emily was a Highland Girl from 2011-2013 and was an officer her eighth-grade year. Emily was a Highstepper from 2013-2017 under the direction of Deanna Smith while the current director, Mrs. Hays was the assistant. Emily was a Highstepper officer her junior and senior year and Major her senior year. Emily attended The University of Arkansas and graduated with a degree in Criminal Justice and Sociology. In addition to being the Highstepper assistant, Emily teaches Sociology and Psychology at The Woodlands High School.
Past Directors
Kathy Harlan & Deanna Smith
Until 2020, the Highsteppers had a remarkable legacy with only two directors since their founding in 1976: Kathy Harlan and Deanna Smith. Ms. Smith’s connection to the team ran deep—she was a Highstepper herself from 1979 to 1982 under Mrs. Harlan's leadership before becoming the team’s director in 1998. For over two decades, she shaped generations of dancers while also teaching Government at The Woodlands High School, leaving a lasting impact both on the team and in the classroom.