Carlos Herrera

• Position: Assistant Band Director
• Degrees & Alma Mater: bachelor’s in instrumental music education; Sam Houston State University 
• School Activities: band and marching band
• Years at Caney Creek: 4
• Years Teaching: 4

How would other people describe your high-school self?

In high school, I was in band and I played basketball. I was talkative and outgoing pretty much how I am now is pretty much what I was like in high school.

Was there a career you wanted to pursue OR pursued before teaching?

Before teaching, I wanted to be an aerospace engineer and work for NASA. 

Tell us about how you got into teaching.

Both my parents are music educators. My dad taught high school band for 16 years and now teaches junior high band and my mom teaches elementary music, so it was kind of the family business.

What do you do outside of school for fun? Why?

I like to spend time with my wife, as well as play video games.

When people get to know you, what are they most surprised to learn about you? 

I guess how funny I can be, when people first meet me I seem pretty serious and mean. 

Tell us the story about what you are most proud of yourself for.

Probably doing DCI (Drum Corps International). Having the grit and determination to follow through on doing that for multiple summers. Multiple 12 hour rehearsal days traveling the country and performing in front of huge crowds (20,000) is really a cool experience.

Who is someone you are thankful for and why?

My dad because I followed in his footsteps in being a band director so seeing him do the job for so long really inspired me to pursue this career. 

What advice would you give to your younger self?

Keep your head down and stay humble, a lot of arrogance in my youth. 

What do you hope to be remembered for?

I guess that I was a hard worker and someone that anyone could depend upon. I hope people remember me and have good stories to tell about how I helped them and was a positive influence on their lives.

What’s on your bucket list?

Travel more with my wife, to the Mediterranean and also The North Sea are next on the list.

Favorites

• Food: Depends usually pizza and pasta
• Restaurant: The Don’ Key
• Music: All music types, right now I’m listening to soft rock. 
• TV Show: Sitcoms like Friends, “The Office” (NBC) and How I Met Your Mother
• Movie: “Lord of the Rings”
• Book: Don’t have a favorite book. I’m currently reading “All Quiet on The Western Front” by Erich Maria Remarque.
• Teacher: My junior high band teacher, Mr. Johnson.