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Featured Principals: June 2024
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How and why did you become a principal? I loved being a teacher and positively impacting my students. After many years in the classroom, I wanted to make an even bigger impact, so I used my teaching experience/knowledge and shifted into the role of instructional coach. Being an instructional coach solidified my desire to be a principal through the ability to be a change agent and promote growth in student learning through instructional leadership. The role of principal allows me to extend my impact even further, working with staff, students, and families. I love my job! What are you most proud of in your work? I am most proud of our students, staff, and communities. Our students are excited to come to school every day, our staff pours their heart into their job, our communities rally to support our school. What's something that's had success in your school that you think other principals could borrow? We hold monthly pepfests that are structured in a similar way each month, blending student recognition/celebration, social emotional learning, and a fun Minute to Win It game. Students look forward to these pepfests and always ask when the next one will be. At the end of the year, we hold a carnival where we set up all the Minute to Win It games from the year for students to play. | What are some strategies you use to keep your work and life balanced? If I'm being perfectly honest, this is a growth area for me. I'm still trying to find the balance! What piece of advice would you give a new principal OR what piece of advice have you gotten that has been most useful? My biggest piece of advice would be to build a support system - people that you can reach out to for help. Internally, I use our leadership team. Externally, I have our Northern Division and small group of administrator friends that I turn to when I need advice. This is invaluable! Our job can be overwhelming at times, but you don't have to do everything yourself or know it all. How many years have you been a principal? 10 years |
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How and why did you become a principal? I had some great leadership opportunities during my 10 years of teaching that led to me becoming a principal. I taught 5 years at the high school level teaching English, speech and theatre and 5 years at the elementary level teaching 2nd grade. I ran the Minnesota State Speech tournament during my high school teaching and was able to see a big project through from beginning to end. During my elementary teaching I was a faculty representative for the union and part of the school’s leadership team. These opportunities helped me to see how important giving staff clarity around visions and ideas were for the growth of a school. What are you most proud of in your work? I am most proud of developing a culture of respect for students and staff. This is done by many intentional things – listening more, asking questions and giving the opportunity for others to ask questions, living by example of someone who gives time and service to others – whether that is a Kindergarten who has lost their favorite water bottle, a staff who is struggling with teaching this or that part of the curriculum, or a parent who does not understand why their child is acting the way they are acting. What's something that's had success in your school that you think other principals could borrow? Creativity has been a central element in my 34 years in education, whether as a teacher or an administer. Two events come to mind that were successful. One year the staff and I created Creativity Stations. Once a month, students would sign up for an hour-long stations that were taught by staff and parents. This would be things like dance, gymnastics, pantomime, etc. The whole school would stop everything for one hour a month and students got to explore something they were interested in. The other event was a Future Jobs Fair. Parents and community members came into the gym and talked to students about their jobs. They also created posters on what skills were needed to do their jobs. Students walked through the fair and learned about a variety of jobs from nursing to tree trimming. It was a wonderful way to bring in parents and the community in order to have students begin thinking about the possibilities of their futures. | What are some strategies you use to keep your work and life balanced? I try to go for a walk or hike or a bike ride each day after work. This allows me to think through things or to let go of things for me to be more present at home. It is also important to remember that you are so much more than what you do at work and so much more than your successes and failures at work. What piece of advice would you give a new principal OR what piece of advice have you gotten that has been most useful? Listen more. Take time to discover who you are in the new role of a principal and know that your leadership will change over time. Always be learning and growing. How many years have you been a principal? 23 years |
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How and why did you become a principal? I became a principal for the same reason I became a teacher: I believe that public education has the power to pave the way for a bright future for our children, and in turn for our greater society. It is meaningful, challenging and humbling work that -- if done well -- breaks down barriers, rights wrongs, lifts people up, nurtures empathy, and pushes humanity together on a path to a better tomorrow. What are you most proud of in your work? Our school community's tenacity in trying to create individual and systemic solutions, so our students may find success academically, socially, emotionally and behaviorally. What's something that's had success in your school that you think other principals could borrow? Give teachers regular and explicit permission to create a healthy work and life balance. For instance, before each school break I email my staff that upcoming break's to-do list: "Rest, unplug, rejuvenate. Connect with loved ones. Do stuff you like. (Repeat.) No homework for students. No homework for staff. Also, please do not check your work email or voicemail from 3:15 p.m. on _____ until 7:15 a.m. on ____." | What are some strategies you use to keep your work and life balanced? Each year I use all my vacation and personal days. Also, I do not check work emails or voicemails over the weekend. Instead, I come in early on Monday to scan and prioritize any issues that need to be addressed. Mental and physical breaks are important, so I can be my best at home and at work. What piece of advice would you give a new principal OR what piece of advice have you gotten that has been most useful? When you have a parent or staff member who is "coming in hot," stay curious. Instead of interpreting their emotion as anger, I find it helpful to interpret it as fear. Many times they are afraid of something. What are they afraid of? If I can stay curious, ask questions and show we are on the same team, then I can be helpful. I know I am at my best when I am helpful. How many years have you been a principal? 19 |