Her husband's work took Hatley away from EMS ISD in 1994, but they returned to the Fort Worth area in 2001 and she again joined EMS ISD, working as a principal intern in 2001-2002, and an assistant principal at Highland Middle School from 2002-2005. In 2005, Hatley became the first principal of Chisholm Ridge Elementary School, serving there until 2007 when she took over as the Director of Curriculum for EMS ISD until her retirement in 2011.

Her commitment to the district extended beyond retirement. In 2014, Hatley was elected to the EMS ISD School Board, a position she held until resigning her post in 2023. She also was active with the EMS Education Foundation, the Eagle Mountain-Saginaw Retired Educators Association, and the Alpha Delta Kappa International Honorary Organization for Women Educators. Throughout her tenure in EMS ISD and across the community, Liz Hatley consistently earned the respect of her colleagues, both young and old. She was celebrated for her genuine sincerity and compassion, while also maintaining high standards and holding students and staff accountable, just as she did herself. Throughout her impressive 25-year commitment to EMS ISD, followed by her devoted nine years of service on the Board of Trustees, her unwavering passion for education remained steadfast.