​Jack & Sharon Rhoads

Rhoads Elementary is fortunate to have such a shining example of education and love in our namesakes. Jack and Sharon Rhoads each spent more than thirty incredible years in service to Katy ISD. Jack Rhoads worked as a head coach and athletic director for the district while Sharon taught art before her retirement. They both gave everything they had to their students and each other, providing an environment of love and faith to everyone they touched.

Jack grew up in Katy and was quite the star at Katy High School, lettering in football, basketball, and tennis. He was the captain of the football team his senior year and graduated in 1958. He received a full athletic scholarship to Southern Methodist University where he was red-shirted as a freshman and went on to become the captain of the SMU football team his senior year.

Hailing from Temple, Sharon attended Temple High School where she was a Temple Tumbler performing gymnastics at many gatherings around the area. She loved art classes all through school and decided she would like to make children the focus of her profession, giving them an outlet for the creativity that she so enjoyed while growing up.

Jack and Sharon met at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, were engaged in 1961 and married in 1963. The couple made Dallas their home to give Jack an opportunity to coach and work toward his Master's degree at SMU while Sharon began her teaching career in the field of art. From Dallas they moved to Deer Park and Jack coached under his mentor from Katy High School. Jack also coached at Nacogdoches High School and Stephen F. Austin State University.

In 1971, Jack and Sharon moved back to Katy where Jack took the head football coaching position as well as the athletic directorship. At that time there were only eight coaches in the whole district! When Taylor High School opened its doors, Jack released his coaching position to take the full-time athletic director position so he could help other coaches reach their full potential.

Sharon began teaching art at Katy Elementary and moved to Hutsell Elementary when it opened in 1978.  However, her talents did not stop at the elementary school level.  She was a board member of Keep Katy Beautiful for nearly 20 years and was always willing to offer her creative flair to decorations around town for the holidays or beautification projects.  Her design for the Harvest Plaza logo can still be seen in downtown Katy.  The Katy Chamber of Commerce named Sharon the 2008 Volunteer of the Year in honor of her dedication to not only the city itself, but many organizations such as the Katy FFA.  Sharon left a lasting legacy to all of the students and families she taught, and all of the citizens of Katy who knew and loved her. 

Jack and Sharon Rhoads had two children, Jennifer Rhoads Walker and Jeff Rhoads, who followed in their parents footsteps as educators. Both Jennifer and Jeff are so proud to have their parents recognized in such an incredible way.

While in Katy ISD supporting staff members and helping young children, Sharon worked as a mentor to many new art teachers throughout the district. Jack's motto was 'Anything we can do to keep the kids involved and out of trouble.' With a helping heart, they gave to their community with a vibrancy that many have strived to achieve. Jack and Sharon Rhoads epitomized what Katy is all about. Their dedication to their church, family, friends, and children of the district inspired all who have come into contact with them. Bubba Fife, a close friend of the Rhoads family said, "Their love for their profession is unmatched and their love for kids and doing what's right and trying to lead youngsters in the right direction has had a tremendous impact on my own life." We are proud to have our school named after such a fine, upstanding family that called Katy home for so long.