The Many Faces of CHSAA Leadership – Sybil Booker
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.
For the past two years Mrs. Booker has served as the principal at Colorado’s most racially diverse high school. With a total student enrollment of 2,075 students, the racial profile of the student body is reported to be 28% African-American, 42% Hispanic, 18% Caucasian, 6% Asian/Pacific Islander, 1% Native American, and 5% multiracial. CHSAA has been lucky enough to benefit from her unique perspective as Mrs. Booker currently serves as a member of our Board of Directors.
Our interview with this graduate of Western Kentucky University, where she earned both her undergraduate degree in education and her master’s in educational leadership, gave us greater insight into why she is such a positive presence in all her leadership roles.
Twenty years in education is a long time. Can you share your journey with us?
I started my educational career in Louisville, KY as a middle school science teacher. After completing my Masters, I continued in the classroom for one more year in Louisville before moving to Missouri, where I transitioned into high school, teaching science, before accepting a position as an Assistant Principal. My husband’s training required us to move to Philadelphia for five years and I was able to stay home with our children during that time, and for a few more years after moving to Colorado. My first job in Colorado was at Overland High School as a Dean in 2017, from there I moved into an Assistant Principal position after two years as a Dean and then to the Principal position in 2021.
What do you love most about your current position?
In my current position, I am able to help guide the vision of Overland High School. I love watching the growth and maturity of high school students from 9th to 12th grade, and I feel extremely grateful to serve as the principal of such a diverse school, sharing a passion for student success with my school and district colleagues.
What are some of the challenges you face in your current position?
No two days are ever the same, which is what keeps the position interesting, and also makes it challenging. Trying to stay in touch with the needs of my students is probably the most challenging aspect of the job. I continuously seek ways to build my leadership capacity in ways that will foster positive experiences for my students.
What do you love most about the Overland High School community?
I am at my happiest when I am with my students. I love the diversity of Overland High School and meeting families from all across the globe. I love seeing young people reach their fullest potential and being a small part of their educational journey. I value the people I work with who support the success of our students and the community we serve by building relationships and providing a challenging and safe place for them to grow academically.
Share with us one mistake you may have made early in your career and what you learned from it.
Early in my teaching career, I got lost in the technical aspects of the job- lesson planning, content standards, and evaluation cycles. I was so eager to do a good job, that I was focusing on the wrong details. Once I took the time slow down and listen to my students, I realized that none of those things mattered if I wasn’t building relationships with them. When I shifted my focus to my students’ needs instead of the technicalities of being a new teacher, I created spaces of mutual trust and fostered a thriving learning environment.
What is the significance of women serving in your current position?
Representation matters. Growing up in a small town in Kentucky, I was fortunate to be surrounded by strong women in positions of leadership in areas such as education, banking, media, and entrepreneurship. Looking back, I was a bit naïve in thinking that this was the norm. It wasn’t until I was older that I fully realized how they shaped my future decisions; they thrived in spaces and positions that were traditionally occupied by men and played a significant role in my view of leadership.
What is one bit of advice you would share with young women looking to be leaders in education?
Go for it! The voice and perspective of female leaders in male-dominated spaces is vitally important to the success of any organization. Don’t be afraid to lean in on conversations, make the hard decisions, ask questions, and challenge the “norms” for what is in the best interest of students.
How do you see yourself impacting the next generation of female leaders?
I hope that my impact on the next generation of female leaders will be one of servant leadership. I stand on the shoulders of many dynamic women that worked passionately and diligently, not for accolades, but to improve the lives of others. Holding true to my beliefs, I am a better woman because of those that supported me and blazed a trail for me to follow.
What a great interview! Thank you for taking the time to share your story with us. I know the Overland High School community, the Cherry Creek School District, and member schools across Colorado are proud of the work you do and the example you set.
