Montco tech school counselor ‘Tre’ Hadrick reflects on state education appointment

NORRISTOWN >> Should he decide to write an autobiography, Norristown native Ernest Hadrick 3rd — nickname “Tre” — figures “The Unorganized Plan” would make a good title.

Hadrick was recently named to the Pennsylvania Board of Education, a role he assumed in addition to his current work as a counselor at Central Montco Technical High School and multiple community service commitments — among them, his non-profit Norristown Men of Excellence and ongoing efforts as a literacy advocate. His resume also includes positions as an adjunct professor in Villanova University’s Education and Counseling Department, director of operations for Norristown Area High School’s basketball program and counselor posts at Montgomery County Youth Center and Eisenhower Science and Technology Leadership Academy.

But here’s the thing, Hadrick says: None of that was what he envisioned as a standout student athlete at NAHS and — following his 2000 graduation — at Auburn University and North Carolina A & T, where he played football and earned a degree in business management. His future as he saw it back then? A career with the NFL and, eventually, a job in the business world.

What Hadrick didn’t foresee was the concussion that interrupted his collegiate gridiron time and relegated a future with the NFL to pipe dream status. But he also failed to anticipate the alternate path that would lead him to Wilmington University for a graduate degree in school counseling, “a career and mission I never planned on” and a takeaway he now shares with local students: “Plans change, but there’s more than one way to achieve success…or happiness.”

Issues facing schools

As a PA Board of Ed newcomer, Hadrick doesn’t presume to have solutions for the challenges facing today’s schools. That said, he sees their most pressing issues as “mental health, reading or literacy and fair funding.”

“That’s from my lens as a school counselor and literacy advocate,” Hadrick adds. “I think there’s still a taboo to an extent when it comes to mental health. We’re still trying to learn how to address it…how to accept it, and I think that can put children in situations where they’re not comfortable because they haven’t been taught how to be comfortable about speaking on that topic.

“But if we’re able to show kids at an early age that we all have issues in life, no matter who we are, that not everything’s going to be a straight A situation, they’ll become more comfortable which lets us address the issue in better, more effective terms. We have to make mental health more of a daily conversation…the way we talk about ‘regular’ things we go to a doctor for.”

Teaching kids to read is another challenge that can’t be over-emphasized, Hadrick continues.

“Words are part of our daily walk, the way we navigate through life…how we communicate, how we operate in culture, in daily society,” he says. “We’re surrounded by words…with everything we do and everywhere we go — from school to the grocery store. Everywhere. And if you want to reach your true potential, you have to have access to those words. Even if it’s words you don’t know, because if you’ve been taught the sounds of the alphabet, you can at least pronounce those words and ask somebody what they mean. But if you can’t pronounce a word, you can’t have that conversation.”

Books in the barber shop

Initiatives like the books permanently on-site at Bridgeport’s Goodfellas Barber Shop — the LiT Champs’ Decodable Book Bar — are one way to promote literacy, says Hadrick, whose “Cheesesteaks and Clippers” children’s book was published three years ago.

“Some friends and I set up this library of decodable books in the barber shop,” he explains. “Decodable books teach children the sounds of the alphabet…like phonics. The basic idea is, they come into the shop and have access to books that show them the basic sounds of the various letters of the alphabet…blends, too.

“We’re not tutors in the barber shop. This is more about exposing kids to books and reading. Not everybody has the funds to travel or go to the movies, but when they read, they learn about things they might not have been exposed to. It expands their minds and opens them up to new options. We know the mind is an amazing muscle, and when it’s used correctly, it gets stronger and stronger.”

According to Hadrick, fair funding is the third challenge affecting schools’ effectiveness.  According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, the budget enacted for the 2023-24 fiscal year includes $7.8 billion for “basic education funding…a 10.07 per cent increase over the 2022-23 appropriation.”

Leveling the playing field

“Kudos to Governor Shapiro and the politicians who completed the historic budget for this school year,” Hadrick says. “I know it takes more than money, but money’s certainly a start toward leveling the playing field when it comes to giving children the opportunities they need to reach their full potential. It’s no secret that some districts are under-funded. But if you have children spending eight hours a day, 180 days a year in a facility, it should be up to par, right? Security, buildings, classrooms, academic opportunities…funding helps all of that, and innovative thinking going forward allows it.”

Hadrick credits unconditional support from parents Bonita and Ernie early on — and now, from wife Perly, an educator, and 11-year-old son Ernesto, a Norristown Area School District sixth-grader – as “crucial” in his development…as it is “for any child.”

“Where do parents, the family fit in with all of this?” he muses. “Number one is communication with their child’s teacher. First and foremost. We say it starts at home, but not every parent is equipped to be an educator. That’s why we go to school…to learn the academics. It’s the social and emotional pieces that start at home.

“So, if you see your child struggling, speak up…talk to the teacher and ask what they can do to help or where you can get information that will help. Kids don’t struggle because they enjoy struggling. Sure, sometimes a kid just doesn’t want to do the work. I get it.  But overall, if they’re not doing the work, there’s quite possibly something else going on, because most kids aren’t looking to fail.

“Another thing, as a parent, be there at as many events as you can be. I know work schedules and other responsibilities don’t always allow that, but do your best…or send a neighbor or friend or (relative)…to be supportive. And, again, let the teacher know what your situation is. As adults, it’s hard to be vulnerable, but letting go of your pride and asking for help for your child…that can make a world of difference.”

Hadrick hopes his appointment to Pennsylvania’s Board of Education allows him “to make at least some small difference” in our students’ school experience.

“This is such a great opportunity to have a voice at the table…to speak about what I think is necessary,” he says.  “You can’t just go in there cold and think you have all the answers.  I’ll learn as I go, but I think my experience as an educator has prepared me for this position, and I’m excited.”