In a school environment, leadership is often represented with someone in the forefront. One prominent form of leadership is the principal of the school, the person who counsels students, coordinates the staff, and sets the tone/environment for the school in general. However, another role requires the characteristics that make a great leader. This role is often overlooked and unknown.

That is the assistant principal.

When looking at Loveland High School, a hidden gem that is often overlooked that represents female leadership is Mrs. Norvell. Her role behind the scenes is an important part of the school and not a lot of people are aware of her presence. Diving into her backstory, her role in the school, and her part of being a female leader, Mrs. Norvell will come to light from behind the scenes.

Ashley Norvell was born to a large Hispanic family in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Her two brothers and parents were both quite demanding of her, helping mold her into the strong woman she is today.  First starting as a criminal justice major at New Mexico State University, she had a change of heart by her junior year and began focusing on education, specifically bilingual education. After graduating with her Bachelor’s she would eventually go on to get her Master’s in Special Education at Eastern New Mexico University.  Then in 2020, as Covid struck, Mrs. Norvell and her husband took a leap of faith and chose to move to Colorado, a place they had always dreamed of living.  Starting as a  Social Emotional Learning Specialist in Thompson District at the Elementary level for 2 ½ months, she then transitioned into one of the Assistant Principals at our very own Loveland High School.

At a young age, she took on many leadership roles. She began as a department head at her hometown Middle School where she would work with families, facilitate meetings, and lead staff. This is when she would start picking up features that make a great leader.

“Mentor and teach others to grow.”

As she focuses on servicing others, Mrs. Norvell continues to grow as a leader, an inspiration for other young females. When in a school enviromnent, she thrives as an assistant principal, helping and guiding the staff she leades with others.

Mrs. Norvell learned that having the mindset to serve others is essential in being a leader that understands the people they’re working with, which is a necessity as a department head. 

As she went on working in various leadership roles, she learned that being observant is important for being a leader. Observing other leaders and people influenced her to understand others better, which would open the opportunity for her to guide them to become better people.

When discussing female leadership, she believes that as a role model, when females see others like them as leaders, it opens their perspective on leadership. She says it inspires students and opens up opportunities for them while having a role model to look at. 

However, when faced with the challenge of being a leader, the most important aspect is to grow as well with the people you’re guiding. Having a growth mindset is a feature that Mrs. Norvell certainly has. Her use of learning from others, adapting her mindset, and her role to influence positivity allows others to use her as a leader to look up to and be inspired by.

“It is important we set an example that women can aspire to these different leadership roles.”