Reflections of a Beginning Administrator
Throughout this school year, I am going to try and reflect on my experiences as a new administrator at least once a month. Hopefully, this will provide some lasting evidence of my experiences. Also, as I move through this journey, I will add questions and points to ponder.
August 2012
It's what you don't know that's scary!!
I'll start with a couple of thoughts about my experiences so far. I liken this change into Administration as being quite similar to a beginning teacher. In many ways, I'm excited about what lies ahead. I have a vision for the school much like the vision I have for my classroom. In the same way as a new teacher, I am in that Anticipation phase. I know what I would like to do, I think I have the skills and knowledge to complete the task, but I really won't know anything until all of the teachers and students arrive at the school.
So far though, I enjoy the freedom to be creative and curious. I enjoy working with Leslie and Tracy. I think they will be excellent mentors, partners, and friends, as I move through this journey. I'll check back in at the end of September!!!
So far though, I enjoy the freedom to be creative and curious. I enjoy working with Leslie and Tracy. I think they will be excellent mentors, partners, and friends, as I move through this journey. I'll check back in at the end of September!!!
What I've read recently:
-Carol Dweck, Mindset
-Jon Gordon, The Energy Bus
-Jon Gordon, The Training Room
-Todd Whitaker, Shifting the Monkey
-Jon Gordon, The No Complaining Rule: Positive Ways to Deal with Negativity at Work
September 2012
It's all the little stuff. Your time is not your own. AND what's next?
So my first official month of being an administrator has ended and I feel at least to some level a little more comfortable than I did on the first day! It is amazing (and exhilarating) how diverse ever day can actually be. You never know what you're going to have to deal with on any given day. One of the best things about being an administrator is just that. It is unpredictable. And yet, it's also one of the most challenging. It's all the little decisions that take up your time and energy. And there are always a handful of students and teachers that require more attention. I spoke to Leslie a week or so ago and asked "where is the value in this job?" I suppose I was just having a moment because I know that beyond a classroom teacher, being an administrator can create the best conditions for student learning. I likened my experiences this month to a beginning teacher. Early on, I was full of anticipation to continue to develop and maintain our mission, helping teachers to be the best that they can be, and providing a positive atmosphere for staff, students, and parents. I think I hit the disillusionment phase when I had the conversation with Leslie. I know however, that I am, at the very least, resilient and positive, so I don't usually stay frustrated for very long. I'm looking forward now to getting into a routine. The crazies have seemed to end and I am told that things will settle down.
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Here's an article that spoke to me about leadership lessons from a bonsai master.
12 most inspiriting lessons from a Bonsai leader I re-read Jim Collins, Good to Great Monograph for the Social Sector along with Twitter nearly every day!
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October/November 2012
It was the best of times and the worst of times.
As I reflect on the last month, the metaphor of a roller coaster comes to mind. The unpredictability of every day is in some ways exhilarating and at others extremely emotionally draining. We are in the "human" business and as such, the unpredictability should actually be predictable. As an administrator, we see people at their worst. It may be a teacher voicing their displeasure at the direction the school is taking or communication with a parent. Or it might just be that they are frustrated with their students. We also see the students at their worst. These are the students that get called down to the office, in "trouble" for one thing or another. Some of their perceptions of what occurred during the conversations are often misconstrued or distorted. We see the underside of what goes on in students' lives inside and outside of school. And for much of that, there is little we can do to really help. Many of their issues are just that, their issues. So the "worst of times" for this month, is realizing that there really is little we can do. The empathy and compassion that we have for a students situation has to just remain, empathy and compassion. As Leslie said, we have to become objective. The trick though is to become objective without losing the human part of what we do. For me, this is a great lesson. I have found that this emotional roller coaster is too much. My personality doesn't lend itself to this up and down and so, I must find the place where I'm objective, where I can stand back, look at the facts, and make a reasoned judgement based on the information in front of me.
So if this was the "worst of times", it was also the "best of times". I feel fortunate to work with two women who have experience mediating this craziness. Each come to a problem with a different perspective and personality. Each of us have our strengths and can learn a tremendous amount from one another. We are starting, I think, to really work as a team, building the trust necessary for us to be really effective. I am asked quite often if I am still enjoying my new role in the school. And the answer is still a resounding "Yes". I have much to learn. It is taking the knowledge, skills and attitudes of a 21st century leader and making sure that I also remain true to me.
So if this was the "worst of times", it was also the "best of times". I feel fortunate to work with two women who have experience mediating this craziness. Each come to a problem with a different perspective and personality. Each of us have our strengths and can learn a tremendous amount from one another. We are starting, I think, to really work as a team, building the trust necessary for us to be really effective. I am asked quite often if I am still enjoying my new role in the school. And the answer is still a resounding "Yes". I have much to learn. It is taking the knowledge, skills and attitudes of a 21st century leader and making sure that I also remain true to me.
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What I've read:
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December 2012
Moving into Quadrant 2: Determining what's really important
I began December with many professional learning workshops. I finished the Susan Scott's Fierce Conversations, completed Steven Covey's Seven Habits training and participated in the ALP 3 program. Through each of these programs I am taking nuggets of information and trying to place them into my own understanding of leadership. I am still trying to figure out what is best for me. What suits my personality or what is the most important for me to embed into my practice as an administrator.
I am finding that I am starting to get some traction in this role at the school. I don't feel like I've got the deer in the headlights look anymore. The learning curve thus far has been more of a straight line up rather than a curve but I am starting to feel a little more comfortable. I am however, getting tired and am in need of a break. This has been a good transition for me and I'm glad to be moving in the direction of an instructional leader at the school. Hopefully, as things get more settled, I'll manage a little balance.
I am finding that I am starting to get some traction in this role at the school. I don't feel like I've got the deer in the headlights look anymore. The learning curve thus far has been more of a straight line up rather than a curve but I am starting to feel a little more comfortable. I am however, getting tired and am in need of a break. This has been a good transition for me and I'm glad to be moving in the direction of an instructional leader at the school. Hopefully, as things get more settled, I'll manage a little balance.
January 2013
Instructional Leadership: Helping teachers move forward
Of all the things I am learning as a new assistant principal is the absolute importance of our role as instructional leader. I think I am maturing in my role. I no longer feel like one of them (the teachers - although I still am). I see teachers differently now. Through the supervision process, we identified a few teachers that were in need of help in re-defining and re-positioning what they actually achieve in the classroom. As much as we get busy with those urgent things, supervision is really important. The impact a teacher has on the learning of students became readily apparent to me this month. When a teacher is good, it shows, but when a teacher is bad, it has a profound effect the students. The environment they create, whether strict and unbending or lackadaisical and unengaging, offer nothing to the students who we are here to serve. Through this supervision, and eventually, evaluation process, I got to look at all of the legal documents that outline the requirements that teachers must follow. I have to admit that although the process was a good one; great for my learning, it was also really frustrating. The fact that some teachers do not follow these rules and get away with it for so long, really irked me. I expect professional behavior and standards from the teachers in my school. I expect them to work hard, to engage and to always do their best for the students in their care. I expect them to be student-centred. And yet, some teachers feel it is their right to slack off and do only what is best for themselves. This profession is important to me, the kids are important to me and I feel we must do all that we can to help them move forward. So this is where the supervision and remediation come into play. As an administrator, my job is to provide the environment for all to learn. And that means teachers as well. We all have areas in which we can improve. Growth is possible for everyone in the building. It is just providing the gentle reminder or sometimes the big stick, to get the growth started. If I didn't believe that all people can learn, then I'm in the wrong line of work!!!
February/March 2013
The importance of lifelong learning.
One of the things that strikes me the most about this whole school year, is the sheer amount of learning that has happened. It seems like the learning is not slowing down at all. From practical professional learning like ALP 3 to the ASCD conference in Chicago, the old adage rings true more and more.
"The more you know, the more you realize you don't know."
Each day has been a learning experience for me. From reading the School Act and Teaching Quality Standard and using the information to help in teacher evaluation to taking a closer look at social network theory again as it relates to the Principal Quality Standards, the liveliness of the conversations with Leslie and Tracy, there is never a dull moment. The ASCD Conference was one of the best conferences I have ever witnessed. There were so many sessions to choose from and many supported what we were doing at SCHS. There were practical sessions and also more philosophical ones. Just being in the same room as Maya Angelou along with hearing her speak was a sheer honour. The weekend Tracy and I spent in Chicago will be one that sticks in my memory forever.
I know that I embrace the idea of lifelong learning. In fact, it's something that's really important to me. I have expectations for my staff that they too will embrace lifelong learning. I sometimes get impatient at the complacency of some of the teachers. How can you not be excited about the changes that are being made? How can you not want to do the best for your students? Then I realize however some have very different educational experiences than me. They may be reluctant because they have had negative learning experiences and are unwilling to take risks. I guess then it's my job to infuse my love of learning into all that I do. Maybe then it will become contagious!!! I'm looking for an epidemic here not just for staff but for students as well. I want everyone to catch the excitement and energy of transforming teaching and learning!
"The more you know, the more you realize you don't know."
Each day has been a learning experience for me. From reading the School Act and Teaching Quality Standard and using the information to help in teacher evaluation to taking a closer look at social network theory again as it relates to the Principal Quality Standards, the liveliness of the conversations with Leslie and Tracy, there is never a dull moment. The ASCD Conference was one of the best conferences I have ever witnessed. There were so many sessions to choose from and many supported what we were doing at SCHS. There were practical sessions and also more philosophical ones. Just being in the same room as Maya Angelou along with hearing her speak was a sheer honour. The weekend Tracy and I spent in Chicago will be one that sticks in my memory forever.
I know that I embrace the idea of lifelong learning. In fact, it's something that's really important to me. I have expectations for my staff that they too will embrace lifelong learning. I sometimes get impatient at the complacency of some of the teachers. How can you not be excited about the changes that are being made? How can you not want to do the best for your students? Then I realize however some have very different educational experiences than me. They may be reluctant because they have had negative learning experiences and are unwilling to take risks. I guess then it's my job to infuse my love of learning into all that I do. Maybe then it will become contagious!!! I'm looking for an epidemic here not just for staff but for students as well. I want everyone to catch the excitement and energy of transforming teaching and learning!
April 2013 (Part 1)
Wow! I did a lot this year!
I just finished my leadership portfolio for this year and I have to say, I can't believe how much I have learned and grown throughout this year. I'll come back with another installment for April but as I have been reflecting on my year, I just thought I needed to add a comment! There are many things still left to learn, but there always is! Incredible!!!
April 2013 (Part 2)
Focusing on Timetable
When I think about the job of building a timetable there are a number of things that come to mind. It has been an interesting journey and we're not exactly "there" yet, but it does look promising. One of the things that stops schools from transforming completely is the structure of a timetable. We can talk about the vision of what a school might be and then get locked into this four block day. When I first started thinking about constructing the timetable, I really wanted to blow the whole thing up. What would happen if we really thought differently about the way a school day was constructed? What would happen if there were no bells, no set class periods, no set teacher for a particular class? I came to realize though that this thinking, although valuable, also needs to be set in the context of the community. The conversations with students, teachers, and parents would have to begin much earlier than just springing something new. So, we remain with the structure of the day, very similar to this year. Those conversations would need to happen throughout the next school year so that all stakeholders could have a voice. I think though I did a fairly good job in managing all the pieces and people to get the job done. I see the value in having many voices in constructing a timetable. The ALs all had a voice, then the teachers all had a voice and although I had anticipated much confusion and complaining nothing really happened. It made a difference that I was clear that if there was a problem they needed to come with a solution and most did. If they didn't I pointed out that they needed a solution and to come back when they had one. The other interesting thing I learned in doing the timetable was the valuable lesson of shared leadership. When Hana came to me to say that "she loves this stuff" I could have kept control for myself. But instead, I ask her to partner with me in making sure the timetable was balanced. As a leader, we don't know everything, nor will we ever be able to. Other people have strengths in areas I do not. Hana gave me the lesson that sometimes we don't know where that shared leadership is going to come from. I'm sure that there will still be issues with the timetable as we move forward toward the end of the year, but I have learned many great lessons along the way.
May/June 2013
What do we really know?
With all the uncertainty that surrounded me as I began this new journey, I can now reflect on the varied and vast experiences I had. I thought I knew what this administration position entailed, and yet, at the end of it all, there was so much I didn't know. Maybe that's what it's all about. No one can ever really "know". It is about the experience and about the journey. It has so much to do with the context in which you work and the people you work with. I have enjoyed this year, all through the trials and tribulations. There have been successes and there have been failures. But in the end, there is only "the best you can do". I finish this school year knowing that I did the best I could.
Looking to next year, hopefully I won't repeat the mistakes of this year. I know that having a new principal will change the dynamic of our close knit team, but I'm also aware that both Tracy and I will work just as hard to make this new team as great as the last. There will inevitably be new challenges however, I feel poised and confident to tackle whatever presents itself. On to year two!!!
