March is a time to honor the contributions of women in history and those shaping the future. At the School District of Lancaster, we take this time to celebrate the women in our community who lead with purpose, advocate for students, and create spaces where education thrives. Among them is Dr. April Hershey, Assistant Superintendent, whose journey through education has been defined by leadership, listening and learning, and a commitment to ensuring every child feels valued and supported.
From her early days as a music teacher to her current role as a district leader, Dr. Hershey’s story is one of growth, mentorship, and a deep-rooted belief in the power of education to change lives.
A Love for Learning: The Beginning of a Lifelong Journey
Dr. Hershey’s journey in education began long before she entered the classroom as a teacher. She grew up in rural Lancaster County, attending school in the Cocalico School District. Her early experiences in school shaped her understanding of education, not just as a place for learning, but as a space where she felt safe, valued, and encouraged to grow.
“I thrived at school,” she recalls. “It was a place where I could be myself, where I felt special, and where I developed a love for learning that still drives me today.”
Music played a defining role in her journey. In fourth grade, she picked up the clarinet, beginning what would become a lifelong passion. Her music teachers recognized her potential, giving her leadership opportunities and encouraging her to pursue her talents. The band room became a place of belonging, where she developed confidence and a sense of purpose.
By the time she reached high school, she knew she wanted to be a teacher. But she didn’t just want to teach, she wanted to make students feel the way her teachers had made her feel: valued, supported, and capable of achieving her dreams.
The Path to Leadership: From Music Teacher to Administrator
After graduating from Lebanon Valley College in 1991, Dr. Hershey began her career as a substitute teacher. For six years, she worked in different schools, gaining experience and learning from a variety of educators before securing her first full-time teaching position in 1997.
As a certified K-12 music teacher, she had the opportunity to work with students of all ages, an experience that deepened her understanding of the ways education impacts children at different stages of development.
Her passion for teaching was undeniable, but others saw something more in her, an ability to lead. One of the first to recognize this was Lisa Brown, her elementary principal and the first female administrator she worked under.
“From the day she hired me, she told me she saw leadership skills in me and wanted to nurture that,” Dr. Hershey says. “She gave me opportunities that weren’t typically given to specialist teachers, allowing me to sit in on instructional support team meetings and learn about school leadership from the inside.”
Encouraged by Brown’s mentorship, she pursued her master’s degree and principal certification. Just a few years later, she stepped into her first administrative role as an elementary principal, the same school where she had once been a student.
“It was a full-circle moment,” she recalls. “Walking those halls as a leader, where I had once been a young student with big dreams, was incredibly meaningful.”
Leading Through Change: Superintendent and Beyond
Over the years, Dr. Hershey continued to rise through the ranks of school leadership. She became an assistant superintendent, and in 2009, she was named superintendent of Warwick School District. It was a role that challenged her in ways she could not have anticipated but also provided opportunities to make a lasting impact.
During her tenure, she oversaw significant district-wide initiatives, including school construction projects, curriculum updates, and labor negotiations. But leadership wasn’t just about operations, it was about fostering a culture of trust, support, and shared responsibility.
“Leadership isn’t about power or authority,” she explains. “It’s about working alongside people, listening, and making sure everyone feels heard and valued. The best leaders don’t have all the answers, they surround themselves with talented people and empower them to do great work.”
One of the most challenging moments of her career came in 2018 when the district was rocked by tragedy. Two students lost their lives in a devastating accident, and just weeks later, another student had taken their own life.
“It was one of the hardest times in my career,” she says. “We had to find ways to support our students, our staff, and our community through the grief.”
Recognizing the need for emotional support, she helped introduce facility dogs in every school, a program designed to provide comfort and stability for students facing challenges. The initiative became a defining part of Warwick’s student wellness efforts and is now something she is working to implement at SDoL.
A New Chapter at SDoL
Now serving as Assistant Superintendent at SDoL, Dr. Hershey brings with her a wealth of experience. She supports the superintendent and district leadership in multiple areas, including curriculum, school improvement planning, hiring, and leadership development. One of her biggest priorities is fostering collaboration among the district’s senior leadership team.
“One of my main goals has been to build trust within our leadership team. If we can model collaboration and respect at the top, that will ripple down throughout the district,” she says.
She has also played a key role in reimagining leadership retreats, focusing on making them more engaging and reflective of what school leaders truly need. But beyond the policies and initiatives, her primary focus remains the same: ensuring every student feels seen, supported, and valued.
“If the people who take care of our students feel appreciated and respected, that translates to the classroom,” she says. “Our kids need to know they belong, and that starts with the culture we create as educators.”
Navigating Leadership as a Woman
Dr.Hershey has spent much of her career as one of the few women in leadership rooms. She has sat in construction meetings where she was the only woman at the table. She has faced outdated assumptions about women in leadership and has had to advocate for herself in ways her male counterparts have not.
“There have been moments where I’ve been in meetings and someone has made a comment that they wouldn’t have said to a man,” she says. “But I’ve learned to push back and make sure my voice is heard.”
Despite these challenges, she sees her role as an opportunity to inspire and uplift others, particularly young women and those from underrepresented backgrounds.
“I take seriously the responsibility of making sure women see themselves in leadership,” she says. “I want young women to know they belong in these spaces and that they don’t have to change who they are to be taken seriously.”
Moving Forward Together
As SDoL celebrates Women’s History Month, this year’s theme, Moving Forward Together, reflects Dr. Hershey’s leadership philosophy. She believes that, despite differences in perspective or approach, there is always common ground to be found.
“No matter what our backgrounds are, we all want the same thing: for our students to succeed,” she says. “If we can unite around that goal, we can work through differences and build something better for every child.”
For young women looking to step into leadership, for students who wonder if they have what it takes to succeed, and for those who may feel unsure of their path, Dr. Hershey offers the same advice she would give to her younger self:
“Dreams do come true,” she says. “And when one door closes, another will open.”