Thursday, August 21, 2014

Why did I become an administrator????

I've almost completed my first week as a principal and I couldn't help but try to reflect on the "Why?"

Why did I become an administrator?

-It has become clear to me this week that the light was lit by my prior administrators before I ever knew it. Leaders that inspire other leaders.

-I also love teachers, I love students, and I love school business. I believe that public education is still the light that ignites our future generations.

-We are the game changers and the developers of our future leaders. I want to make a difference in the lives of the students, teachers, and parents I serve.

As I reflect, I found the last paper I wrote finishing my master's degree in educational leadership so I wanted to share:



The Educational Platform

Jessica Hanson

Tarleton State University

What is Possible? What is True?

My Beliefs:
I believe that all children can learn and should be engaged by teachers to explore and develop a natural love of learning. With my background in special education, regular education, and Response to Intervention: I have discovered that not all teachers have this belief. It is disheartening to hear other educators with the same career as me describe a student as “unteachable.” The older I have become and the more experience I gain helps me to stand up for those children and myself. All students can learn. I keep reminding myself of the quote from Maya Angelou “I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” I try to base my entire teaching day off of this quote alone, and I will continue to base my entire administrative career on that as well.

As a teacher going into administration I believe that servant leadership is key. In Jim Boyd’s book, A Servant Leader’s Journey he states, “The leader’s temptation may be to retreat into the safe confines of the office. If so, he or she is headed in the wrong direction. If there is difficulty in the organization, on the battlefield, or around the supper table, the leader needs to be visible. If the leader is away from the action, naysayers are emboldened, communication breaks down, and hope fades” (Boyd 2008). This is dangerous, and I have witnessed leadership that “retreats” it is disastrous and unfortunate for all faculty.

I believe in servant leadership so much that I base it as my single most reason for wanting to become an administrator. As a teacher, I love for my administrators to involve me in all school decisions. I think this is very important to build culture and improve climate. Teachers feel invested in school vision and mission when they are the ones involved in creating that mission and vision.

Being honorable, doing what we say, keeping our word is the most important thing as a leader. Follow through and feedback is also essential. I don’t believe in making teachers do “busy” work, in same way that I don’t believe in making children do “busy” work. The work we do should be valuable, engaging, and fun. We should come to work excited and positive. I believe we should lean on each other when we need help, ask for ideas and share strategies.

I believe that we must not only teach state objectives but we must also teach a love of learning and inquiry. Not to focus on how many grades we get in the grade book, but to focus on mastery of skills. I believe that that in order to teach this love of learning and knowledge we must get all teachers on board with technology.

As a future administrator, I hope to embody what it means to be a servant leader. I hope to inspire teachers to believe that all students can learn, and to always be teaching myself new ideas and concepts to stay current in my field. I truly hope to build a positive, nurturing school family who cares about one another and lifts each other up. “The leader is the keeper of the dream” (Texas School Business 2006).

Boy, Jim. (2008). A servant leader’s journey: Lessons from Life. New Jersey: Paulist Press.

Texas school business. March (2006) 23.





This week I am having my teachers write letters to themselves.

The prompt is: I want to teach somewhere that…."

They are to return them to me, signed and sealed. I am not going to read them. At some point in the school year when times get tough, when morale gets low, I am going to slip their letter in their box to remind them of the vision they had when they started this year. I hope it helps them like reading my paper has helped me.

Self-reflection is the single most important ingredient to the recipe of life.

Sunday, August 10, 2014

Top Ten Things to Not Forget as a Principal

Embarking on a new journey to become the principal of an elementary campus has already had it's highs and lows and I haven't even started the school year yet. I have already been faced with tough decisions that required me to "Move people's cheese" and "Dip into their buckets" in order to do what is right for children and our school.

I do feel however that my rather quick way to principalship has helped me in other ways. You see, I am still fresh out of the classroom and I am fully aware of the demands and stresses our teachers face everyday.

I am writing this post to always remember that our teachers are the front line of our educational system and for that they are the true leaders in the future of our children. Here are the top ten things to NEVER forget as a principal.


1. Teachers don't need busy work.

-Don't give them "worksheets" to fill out in order to make sure they are doing their jobs. We don't expect our teachers to pass out worksheets in class, so why would we require them do countless hours of work if it does not help them professionally?
-Same for data. Don't force teachers to turn in, disaggregate, find, research and dig through data, unless you plan on using it to ACT! Know the meaning behind making true data-driven decisions and empower your teachers to find their own methods for using data to help students.

2. Be mindful when making classes.
-You know you do it. Tell yourself, well Mrs. A is awesome with those tough behavior kiddos so she gets them all this year. I was that teacher, and while I loved the challenge and knew I could handle my students you have to remember that every teacher still wants to work in a fair environment. Be fair and don't make decisions based off what is easy for us as leaders.
-Remember what it is like to have 3 Katelyn S.'S in class this is especially true at the elementary principal level.

3. Give teachers wiggle room.
-If a teacher comes to you with a new idea or something to try don't squash their thoughts and ideas. Yes, ask questions and see what is all involved. Don't make them feel like an inconvenience. Let them try, join in with them, and if you fail…you fail together.

4. Trim the fat.
-Our teachers plates are full, too full! In the classroom if my student's weren't grasping a concept and I was at my breaking point I would say, "Let's just stop for today and re-visit this tomorrow." If it's not working...fix it. I am not saying get rid of federal programs, district purchased programs, curriculum, etc. But what I am saying that if something isn't working it's time to start looking at why it is not working. Listen to teachers and have them create a solution. Chances are they may have a good fix.

5. Give the teachers a jean pass!
-If I can make someone happy by simply saying "Wear your jeans tomorrow!" that makes my job easy. Granted we can't change the dress code but we can make someone's day every once in a while. A simple jeans pass is an easy fix.

6. Plan like you're still a teacher.
-Lesson plan your staff development. Don't slack and do things last minute. Take the time to plan your professional development like you would want your teachers to plan for their lessons. When I flew by the seat of my pants as a teacher my students got less than 100% and that is simply not okay. Give your teachers 100%!

7. Get excited!
-I am so excited about this school year that my teachers probably think I am a total GEEK! But I don't care! I love coming to work and learning and growing. I want them to feel the same way. I want everyday to be fun and full of learning. I know I will have days when it will not be perfect, when something tragic may happen, and when times get tough. It's my duty to serve them the best side of me regardless of the bad stuff that comes along.

8. Stand up for kids.
-When a teacher is not treating kids with respect and dignity it is our job to stand up for them. Regardless of the actions of the student. Each student deserves the right to be respected. Don't let a teacher belittle or bully a child. This is our duty as educational leaders.

9. Praise your teachers.
-Tell them they are going a great job because they ARE! Our teachers, teaching assistants, counselors, secretaries, and custodians are all working hard! Find the good things they are going and love them for it. We are all in this together and we need to love our students and our school. Fill their buckets instead of dipping into them.



10. Make student-driven decisions.
-This is probably the most important of the 10 and probably the most self-explanatory. When making a decision simply ask yourself, "Is this best for kids?" If the answer is no, then don't do it. Don't get into a power struggle with adults. If we are making student-driven decisions we are doing what is right.