Building Community...

Went to visit the principal of Jacobson Elementary, Mike Thompson. Thank you to Belmond Klemme and Mr. Lewis for hosting me. Thanks also Mr. Duncan Principal of Prairie Valley Elementary and MNW Elementary for giving me the opportunity and time to visit. My schedule has been busy as any asst. principal and only got about two and one half hours of conversation but the time was worth it's wait in gold. I had a list of questions and not all got answered but what a great conversation. Since it was a school day Mike had to continue with his duties such as discipline and bus duty. I know the most important part of the day for me was the idea of building a network with another administrator. I am fortunate as an assistant principal I always have one person that I can network with. I have met a lot of administrators since I have started but it is difficult to have time to talk with them and build working relationships. I feel I have that started with Mr. Thompson and Jacobson Elementary. I am building a community of administrators and school districts one person at a time. Sincerely thanks...

Being a Principal can be lonely...

I have been told by more than one administrator that being a principal can be lonely. (Maybe a little like blogging alone Ha, Ha). Well I will say that in one of the schools I have great friendships; made through years in the district, and in the newer school district I hope to create great friendships. I will admit that is not what the advice from administrators was about. The loneliness is the decisions that have to be made, the confidential situations that can't be shared, and the countless hours working late, early, and at home. Now I will admit there is a level of that loneliness that teachers also experience but not like administration. The numbers tell the story. So what to do about it. I was reading a blog I have been following and it suggested getting administrators together to experience weekend or even week long excursions. I really liked the idea. It was all about getting rid of stress and trying new things that did not evolve around administration but were learning experiences in themselves. An example was 'white water rafting'. The problem I have with idea is that being a woman administrator it is more difficult to find groups to get together. I will say that I am going to try to figure it out. Some ideas I would like to try.... 1. Motor cycle ride across the state of Iowa. 2. Canoe down the Mississippi river. 3. Tandem parachuting. Just three ideas. Any other great ideas please leave a comment.

The Funnest Thing EVER!!!

WEll the first full week of school is over and the 2nd week has just begun. Life as an assistant principal has been mind blowing. I need a second me just to keep up with the email. I haven't figured out the three different email accounts, calendars, and the new computer I was given. I have been running from one fire to the next and not really putting too many out. I have forgotten student and staff names because of the over load of new information I have to remember. But I will tell you the funnest thing ever is getting into the classrooms and watching teachers teach!!! Discussing with staff the educational philosophies , new trends, and practical ideas is the upside to any down side I may be feeling. Wow, Wow, Wow!!!

The School Year Begins...for administrators and staff...

Well August 1st is here and many administrators and staff members are reporting to their buildings and classrooms. The truth is many have been there all summer. The idea that educators have the summer off is a myth. The contract may say they have time off but in reality the summer work is just as important as the school year activities. I have experienced that as a classroom teacher and school administrative assistant and now as an assistant principal. What was I doing? Interviewing staff for positions, going to classes, working on school data, reading and researching new learning techniques, the list goes on and on. Perhaps this sounds like quite a chore? Not really , I am a life long learner and I am really learning a lot!