Photo courtesy of Melissa Hadder.
Melissa Hadder, principal of Berry Middle School in Hoover, poses in her college sorority photo at Troy State University.
Q: What’s the story behind this photo?
A: The attached photo is my sorority composite photo from college, circa 1991. I was an ADPi (Alpha Delta Pi) at Troy State University back then, majoring in K-12 music education.
Q: What was going on in your life then?
A: In 1991, I was super excited to be preparing for a career teaching K-12 music and band. I was active in my sorority, the Troy State Band Program, and enjoying living in Alabama.
Q: If you could go back in time to that day, what would you tell your younger self?
A: I would tell my younger self that sharing content with students would be fun and a joy, but that my actual passion would become impacting students as people. I would tell my younger self not to worry so much about small details and striving for perfection in life. I would tell myself to slow down, not live in such a rush all of the time, enjoy each moment and stay fully engaged.
Q: What might people be surprised to learn about your younger self?
A: I was very introverted when I was younger. I was often reserved and slow to share my opinion or assert myself in large group settings. I could never have imagined that I would one day lead a school in a community as amazing as Hoover.
