This week, we continue our series of articles highlighting the many faces of leadership throughout the CHSAA membership. Our hope is that by taking a small glimpse into the window of their leadership background, you will gain a greater understand of why they are such strong advocates for the vision and core values of the Colorado High School Activities Association.
I am pleased to sit down with Overland High School Activities Director, Adria Herscher. She is a graduate of Metro Metropolitan State College of Denver, where she earned her Bachelor’s in music education and Colorado State University, where she received her Master’s in Music. After several years in the classroom, Adria returned to school and earned a Master of Educational Leadership, from Regis University. With 18 years in education behind her, including the past three years in her current role, it is an honor to share her story.
Can you share professional journey with us?
I actually started my career teaching before/after school band while I was pursuing my bachelor’s degree. After graduation, I got a full-time job supporting music at Jefferson High School and Wheat Ridge Middle School. When the choir director position opened at Highlands Ranch High School, I decided to return to where I completed my student teaching. I spent a decade at HRHS, teaching Choir when I started to think of ways to extend my reach to more kids. I didn’t know exactly what I wanted to do but enrolled in the Regis program for Education Leadership to help pave the way. I knew that the program could open doors for me, so a second master’s program began. I spent a year as a Dean of Students at Overland High School before being offered the Activities Director position that I currently serve in (at Overland. Go Blazers!). If you were to ask me back as a newly licensed teacher if I would ever consider going into Administration, my answer would have been a strong “no.” I think the longer you work in schools, the more open you must be about what your heart is telling you. Mine was telling me to work with the rockstar adults who work with kids. That would be how I grow my reach.
What activity, or activities, were you involved in during high school or college?
I was a choir nerd, through and through. All my oldest friends are people I met in choirs in high school and college. Fun fact, I also worked many summers at Boy Scout Camp to help pay for college!
What do you love most about your current position?
I love that my role is all about celebrating people. I get to bring happiness and positivity. That makes my extroverted self extremely happy.
What do you love most about the Overland High School community?
I LOVE the Overland community, staff, and students! I’ll never forget the first pep assembly I attended. Standing room only! I especially love the way our community comes together during our Wish Week, which is planned by our StuCo kids and advisors. We truly come together as a community for the sole purpose of granting a wish.
Can you tell us about some of your mentors?
Mine are all Bada$$ women that I have worked with through the years. Christina Keller was my Assistant Principal at Jefferson. She is now in her 13-year as recipient of my left kidney… literally. She has become family and has so much advice to offer since she was a woman in leadership back when the numbers were fewer. My current principal, Sybil Booker, and Assistant Principal, Emily Webering. It’s important to surround yourself with amazing women who will help you grow. These two have been my saving grace and my rock! Finally, my former Principal, Aleshia Armour. I learned more about being a fierce woman in leadership in the year and a half I knew her than you could believe! Her untimely death shook everyone who knew her but we all still ask ourselves “what would Aleshia do” when met with difficult decisions.
Share with us one mistake you may have made early in your career and what you learned from it.
I cared too much about the value that others placed on me. Education is a GRIND. It can wear you down. I should have surrounded myself with people who lifted me up. Probably should have moved closer to work, too 😉 Cost of gas and the salary of a first-year teacher don’t mesh.
What is the significance of women serving in your role as an Activities Director?
Representation MATTERS. Traditionally speaking, the percentage of women in teaching is higher than men. My experience as a teacher was that most of my administrators were men. You would have cringed the first time a man talked to me about how I was dressed… Raising a daughter has changed the way I see and present myself as a professional. I was very happy in the classroom but something different was in my heart. I had a responsibility to show my daughter that it is ok to follow a dream, even if another dream is not far behind. It’s also ok to separate what you do for a living from your worth as a person.