In this end of the year blog, I decided to share some ideas for resolutions for school administrators for the new year! I served in various roles in my 28 years of public education and I never stopped learning – either from my colleagues, students or at conferences. I also was not afraid to take chances that had, at times, calculated risks associated with them. Throughout it all, I did have some key takeaways from my experiences….perhaps you can relate to them or even use them.
They are in no order and I hope they are helpful!
- Be at school when your students are arriving. They will appreciate it and the parents will as well.
- Don’t get too “high about the highs” and too “low about the lows.” Amazingly, the bad days are equalized by the good days.
- Help one more student per week.
- Call home to the parents about positive things a student has done. Call at dinner time or in the evening if you really want to make a statement!
- Grow your teachers into educational leaders. If you have a teacher or two that you believe would be a great administrator, sit down and have a heart to heart talk with them! We need good/great school leaders.
- Don’t be afraid of changing things at your school. Remember, if it wasn’t for change, we all would not be where we are today.
- Don’t hesitate to delegate! You can’t do it all; if you could, your staff would probably laugh at the red cape draped over your back!
- Remember you belong to a school community. Start meeting with the business organizations, civic clubs, clergy, etc. They are always willing to help out.
- Never stop learning! Read one more education article a week – just don’t throw the magazine on the pile on your desk.
- Take some time for yourself! Get rid of that stress by exercising, screaming into a pillow or dancing in your office (just make sure the door is closed!)
May you all have a happy, healthy 2017!
