Can you imagine anything more exciting than the last day of the school year?
For nearly 1,000 students in late May, the answer was a resounding, “Yes!”
It happened when Regions Bank’s Big Bike rolled up to Vision Academy at Riverside, providing a unique photo op before the last bell rang. Kindergartners through eighth graders proudly posed with certificates recognizing perfect attendance, being super spellers, achieving math excellence and more during the bike’s first stop across Indianapolis in late May.
The day’s excitement wasn’t limited to the students. Darius Adamson, hired this spring to lead Vision Academy and two additional charter schools as superintendent of United Schools of Indianapolis (USI), and Bill Harris, a Commercial Banking relationship manager with Regions who serves as USI’s board chair, also captured photos with the Big Bike.
We visited with Adamson and Harris to learn more specifically about Vision Academy’s students and what the two have learned from their larger leadership roles.
Harris, Adamson and Mid America Commercial Banking leader and Indy market executive Erik Miner pose with the Regions Big Bike, which visited Vision Academy on students’ last day of school.
What were the students’ impressions of the Big Bike?
Adamson: They loved it. I think it was a fascination with how gigantic it is. They were really engaged, and we were thankful it made a stop at our school.
Harris: We shared the Big Bike was going to be in the 500 Festival Parade, and the kids thought it was even more special when they learned that.
Speaking of impressions, what were your first impressions of each other?
Harris: When Darius walked in the room during the interview process, he just had a presence, an aura. I remember thinking, ‘OK, this is the guy’ with his outgoingness and engagement in shaking everyone’s hand while introducing himself. He’s very approachable.
Adamson: Bill was warm, energetic and humble. He’s been extremely supportive from the beginning. Bill and everyone on the board have gone above and beyond in providing what I need to be successful.
What do students, parents and the community experience when they enter Vision Academy?
Adamson: We’re values-centered in doing the right work for children. It’s reflective in our daily actions, in how we interact with our stakeholders, in how our board leads. We’re preparing our children with a great education. It’s about keeping that promise to each scholar who walks in the building. We know we’re changing lives.
We also believe in keeping our commitments to our community. We’re making sure our communities are aware of who we are and what we do. We bring great value to our neighborhood.
Harris: Everything we do is focused on how it’s going to affect our kiddos, teachers and staff. We’re always asking, ‘Where is our center?’, and the answer is, ‘Our students.’ That’s the culture we lead with.
Adamson and Harris have quickly built a rapport following his March hire. “I remember thinking, ‘OK, this is the guy’” Harris said of the impression Adamson made during his interview.
Darius, you began this role in March, but you’ve held prior educational leadership positions in Florida and North and South Carolina for nearly three decades. Did you always plan to enter the field?
No, when I went to the University of South Carolina, my intention was to go to business school. The summer before my senior year in college, I worked at a summer camp with children with Down’s Syndrome. I went back to school and changed my major, deciding to become a teacher.
Do you have family connections to the education field?
My grandmother was a custodian and cafeteria cook for my local county school system. Everyone loved and respected her because she worked there for years and took care of the building. As a boy, I spent time near the superintendent’s office due to her role. For me, it was really humbling when I first started as a superintendent. In two generations, you’ve gone from someone cleaning floors and emptying trash to being the head person at a school. It’s a way for me to honor her and who she was. I’ve loved the work every day for 29 years.
It’s a way for me to honor her and who she was.
Darius Adamson, superintendent of United Schools of Indianapolis (USI)
Bill, beyond being part of the Commercial Banking team, you also chair Regions’ Impact Network in Indy. What skills have you gained from your bank roles that you apply to serving Vision Academy?
The key one is bringing people together. I view it as a collaboration, like when we bring business partners together to work with our clients. It’s a spirit of, “Let’s move forward, together.” That’s helped propel me not only in my Vision Academy leadership but with other organizations I’ve been involved with. I also reflect on the bank’s mission and values and strive to meet those values in serving our kids.
You mentioned Regions’ mission to make life better for our communities. What does that resemble with your Vision Academy volunteerism?
If you are passionate about something, you’re going to be supported. In this case, not only do I get that support from Erik (Miner, Mid America Commercial Banking leader and Regions Greater Indy market executive) in encouraging me, but I also receive support from the bank. It’s nice to know the company gives you the time and resources to help with the volunteering you’re doing. The Indy market has also served our students through the baseball and financial education days we’ve done. Our kids love that.
If you are passionate about something, you’re going to be supported.
Bill Harris, Commercial Banking relationship manager with Regions
What have your leadership roles taught you about yourselves?
Adamson: Leadership is how you work yourself through troubling times. What I’ve learned from leadership is being reflective in my practice, really having patience as a virtue and how to work at pace and think critically.
Harris: You have to look at the whole picture. It’s about taking in all the information and asking, ‘What is right for the organization?’ It’s remembering this isn’t about you and the decisions you’re making will affect other people.
We began with first impressions. What’s a lasting impression you’d like to leave about Vision Academy students?
Adamson: Our kids love school. It’s still that place for them that’s engaging, safe and exploratory.
Harris: It’s a place where a kid can be themselves. Where they find their voice, find their own place, find who they are.
