When Dr. April Hershey first joined the School District of Lancaster, she described those early months as a whirlwind of learning and discovery. Every day brought a new school to visit, a new group of students to meet, and a new story to hear. She remembers relying heavily on her GPS to navigate from building to building. “The day it really clicked,” she shared, “was when I didn’t need to turn that on anymore. That was the moment I felt like this is home now.”
For Dr. Hershey, that feeling of belonging is what makes the district so special. “This place is magical,” she said. “There are so many people here who are deeply dedicated to our students and who do so much with so little. The sense of care and concern for one another, for our families, and for our community is just incredible.”
Over the past year, she has become a familiar face across the district. From morning classroom visits to late afternoon leadership meetings, she has spent her first year listening, learning, and building relationships with teachers, principals, and community partners. “I have developed very close relationships with all of our principals and many of our leaders,” she reflected. “Our senior leadership team and cabinet are filled with brilliant people who want nothing but the best for our staff, students, and families.”
Dr. Hershey describes her favorite part of the job as being a coach and a mentor. She often finds herself invited into conversations where colleagues seek her perspective on challenges or decisions. “It is so rewarding to see young leaders come into their own,” she said. “I love being part of that moment when someone realizes what leadership truly means. I have been fortunate to have mentors who saw potential in me, even when I did not see it myself, and now I want to pass that same gift on to others.”
She recalls a moment early in her career when a supervisor encouraged her to pursue leadership, even though she was a music teacher at the time. “She told me that good teaching is good teaching and good leadership is good leadership,” Dr. Hershey said. “That stayed with me. We all bring different skills and strengths to the table, and part of leadership is recognizing those sparks in others and helping them grow into something brighter.”
Throughout her first year, Dr. Hershey has been moved by what she describes as the heart of SDoL. “There have been so many moments that remind me why this work matters,” she shared. “The first time I read to a classroom and saw students’ faces light up, or when I visited our special education classrooms and felt the warmth and joy that fill those spaces. Watching our teachers create magic every day with their students fills me with pride.”
Her partnership with Assistant Superintendent Chris Lopez has been central to her work. The two meet weekly to align their goals and ensure that students remain at the center of every decision. “Chris focuses on special education and student services, and he also directly oversees the high school,” she explained. “My focus is on curriculum, instruction, and assessment, working directly with principals. Our work often overlaps because students’ access to learning and the supports they need are deeply connected. Together, with Dr. Miles, we focus on the district’s mission, vision, and values.”
Dr. Hershey shared that this year’s work has been guided by three priorities from the district’s strategic plan. The first is closing achievement gaps. The second is ensuring that resources are directed to where they are most needed. The third is strengthening every student’s sense of belonging. “Everything we do connects to one of these areas,” she said. “We constantly ask ourselves if the decisions we make are the right ones for students. That is always the question that guides our work.”
She also reflected on how proud she is of SDoL’s educators. “When our data comes back and it does not look the way we hope, I have seen principals and teachers become emotional. They care deeply,” she said. “But what stands out most is how quickly the next question becomes, ‘What can I do to make this better?’ There is a collective willingness here to take ownership and to do whatever it takes for our students. That spirit is powerful.”
Looking back on her first year, Dr. Hershey feels she has accomplished what she set out to do. “I wanted to build relationships and be seen as a resource,” she said. “I feel that has happened. People know me, they reach out to me, and I am part of so many conversations that shape the direction of our district. When I walk into buildings, people know who I am, and that sense of connection means so much to me.”
As she looks ahead to year two, her focus remains on ensuring that every student has access to high-quality instruction and the resources they need to thrive. “I want to make sure every child can read, learn, and grow with the same opportunities as any other student in Pennsylvania,” she said. “That means using the best instructional practices, the highest quality curricula, and assessments that truly help us understand our students’ progress so we can adjust and improve every day.”
When asked to complete the phrase “Together, we can,” Dr. Hershey paused for a moment and then smiled. “Together, we can accomplish anything for the good of our students.”
Her first year has been filled with growth, gratitude, and the kind of inspiration that comes from working in a community that believes in the power of education. “Every day, I wake up excited to come here,” she said. “Not everyone can say that about their work. I truly feel blessed to be part of this district and this community.”