Sometimes life has a funny way of putting you exactly where you need to be, even if you never saw it coming. For Rachel Myers, this experience was two-fold, as she embraced the happy coincidences that landed her in two careers she didn’t plan to have.
In 2018 Myers started as Operations Manager at Andrean High School. She heard about the job through a friend who suggested she apply, and though the opportunity seemed to come out of nowhere, it didn’t take long for her to fully embrace the role.
“I love the culture at Andrean,” Myers said. “Being a small school gives it such comradery, especially with the sports teams. It’s just really family-focused.”
Though she is still fairly new to the position, Myers said she plans to make Andrean her home for the long haul.
“I’m new to all this but I love it,” Myer’s said. “Hopefully I’ll be there forever!”
Myers spends her days enriching the lives of AHS students, but also does so civically as an elected official.
“I’m going on my ninth year as Township Trustee in Wheatfield,” Myers said. “I was voted in for another four-year term last fall, and I’m excited to continue my service.”
Myers didn’t initially plan to run for office, but the progression seemed a natural one.
“I majored in operations in college, which led me to my position at Andrean, but my involvement in politics was a different story,” Myers said. “With the Trustee position there’s a lot of connection with the fire department and EMS programs. My parents and my husband are involved in both, so my connection with that led to me running for office and here I am today.”
Though Myers wears many hats, her favorite role is mom.
“I never thought I would be a mother, but it is by far the most rewarding job I’ve ever had,” Myers said. “It’s really incredible when you can inspire lives that you’ve played such a crucial part in. I want to inspire my children to be the best humans they can be.”
This passion to instill the best values in her children stems from the lessons Myers learned from her grandmother growing up, whom she affectionately called ‘Gram.’
“I remember when I was younger, Gram would always tell me that actions speak louder than words, and taught me the importance of how you make others feel,” Myers said. “She passed away when I was 17, but that lesson has stuck with me. To this day, one of my favorite quotes is, ‘I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel’. I try to read that often, and incorporate it into my daily life.”
Myers said her husband, James, has also been a big influence in her life.
“I started dating James when we were 15. He’s very honest, kind, and always makes me feel loved,” Myers said. “He stands tall for what he believes in and never falters. I admire that so much, and always try to emulate that.”
Myers loves to travel, taking her family with her whenever possible.
“I lived in Scotland during my study abroad at Purdue,” Myers said. “My dream is to take my kids back there one day. My husband and I are also planning on returning to Switzerland, our honeymoon destination. We want to take the kids there and redo it all.”