Name: Henry Herreras

Title: Curriculum Coordinator

Organisation: Leadership Military Academy

I have been in education for 27 years. I have been a principal in alternative education for 18 years. My schools have been awarded 6-year accreditations, 2 California Gold Ribbons and I was Principal of the Year in 2016.

Thank you to the 2,000 leaders who’ve generously done the 7 Questions on Educational Leadership!

I hope Henry's answers will encourage you in your leadership journey. Enjoy!

Cheers,

Jonno White

1. What have you found most challenging as an Educational Leader?

I believe the biggest challenge an Educational Leader is facing currently is getting students, staff and families back on track from the COVID setback. For the past three years, educators have been playing catch up trying to fill the gaps that occurred during the stay-at-home schooling process.

2. How did you become an Educational Leader? Can you please briefly tell the story?

I have always been involved in leading different facets of the educational process. From focus group leader and activities director to lead program administrator I always enjoyed supporting others. My principal saw something in me and in my third year he encouraged me to get my master's and my credentials and he told me I would be an administrator someday. Sure enough two years later I was an AP in Colton Joint Unified.

3. How do you structure your work days from waking up to going to sleep?

Morning emails and meetings with parents and staff, Student meetings and classroom visits follow. I then look at my calendar and prepare for any future meetings or presentations. I finish supervising night school and helping my daughter with any homework.

4. What's a recent lesson you've learned for the first time or been reminded of as an Educational Leader?

Teachers need to have engaging professionaevelopment just like kids need engaging lessons. If you choose to lecture and present to the staff after 20 minutes you will lose their focus. Give them opportunities to use the new skills you are providing and have them share ideas with their colleagues.

5. What's one book that has had a profound impact on your journey as an Educational Leader so far? Can you please briefly tell the story of how that book impacted you?

Going into my credential program I had no idea what kind of leader I wanted to be at that point. We were reading several leadership books and the one that I really resonated with was The Servant by James Hunter. Lead by building relationships, love, service, and sacrifice.

6. If you could only give one piece of advice to a young educator who aspires to be an Educational Leader, what would you say to them?

Be ready to listen to others and make sure you take others' ideas to heart when making decisions. Once you make the decision follow through and make adjustments as needed.

7. What is one meaningful story that comes to mind from your time as an Educational Leader, so far?

One of my former colleagues ran into one of my former students at a restaurant a few months ago. As they were talking the young man stated that " I was the difference in his life". This young man is successful in life and he doesn't know it but he is the reason i keep doing what I do.