The Joy of Spring—and the Many Faces of Leadership at Acera

by Dr. Heather J. Pinedo-Burns, Head of School

There is something special about spring in schools.

Moments that once felt like challenges begin to settle, to shift, to come together. What may have been difficult in the fall is now reframed—seen through a new lens as an opportunity to learn, to grow, and to share. There is a lightness to this time of year, paired with a deep sense of accomplishment and emerging confidence.

At Acera, spring also offers a powerful window into something we value deeply: the many pathways to leadership. What does it mean to be a leader?

It can mean taking charge—but more often, leadership is something quieter and just as powerful. Leadership is about creating the conditions for others to flourish. It is about noticing what is needed, stepping forward with care, and contributing to a community in ways both large and small. And, every day, across our school, we see students stepping into leadership in ways that matter.

In our multiage classrooms, students grow into leadership as they loop with teachers and help build new classroom communities—modeling expectations, sharing routines, and guiding younger peers in the ways of being and learning together.

Our Yearbook Team, led by a student Editor-in-Chief, works collaboratively to tell the story of the school year—capturing moments, perspectives, and memories that reflect the heart of our community.

Our Acera Ambassadors welcome visitors with warmth and confidence, offering tours and helping others experience the spirit of the school through their eyes.

Our Stewards—whether in classrooms, the Woodshop, Science Lab, or Makerspace—care for materials and spaces, ensuring they are ready for discovery, creativity, and inquiry.

Our Pizza Team members carry forward one of Acera’s most beloved traditions—Pizza Fridays. Members manage every detail: collecting and organizing orders and payments, tracking supplies, placing weekly orders, and ensuring that pizza arrives on time and is ready to be delivered & enjoyed by the community. 

Our Upper School Creativity Student Teachers who are using their Inquiry Maker Passion projects to design curriculum and create wonderful, creative learning experiences for our Lower School students.

Our Cooking TAs share their passion for cooking and baking, guiding others through the balance of science and art—precision, creativity, and taste—while creating something joyful and delicious together.

Our Dismissal Runners bring leadership to the end of each day, helping ensure a smooth, safe process and offering a friendly, reassuring presence—especially for our youngest students.

Our Upper School Overnight committees (and there are many!) are taking on the exciting work of planning an inaugural event—collaborating on everything from activities and games to food, decorations, and communication.

And across the school, students share their work and passions with younger peers—while also taking the time to listen, observe, and celebrate the ideas and creations of others. Leadership lives in both the sharing and the witnessing.

These moments are easy to miss in the rhythm of everyday school life. Yet, they are vital.

When we pause to notice, we see that leadership is not a single role or title. It is a practice. It is a mindset. It is a way of showing up for one another and for the community we are building together.

This spring, we celebrate not only what our students are learning—but who they are becoming.