I NEVER Wanted To Be An Administrator

The professor at my first administrative class had just asked the formidable question,

“Why did you want to become an administrator?”

I shrunk down in my seat while scanning the room making a quick assessment of the seating order. Maybe this professor wouldn’t see me or solicit everyone’s input. I could only hope! After a few minutes, I realized with dread that I was going to speak last. Great! What a way to start my new career path. I tried to focus on what my colleagues were saying. My brain did register some very genuine answers that had me wanting to THINK about becoming an administrator??

Nope. I couldn’t lie.

Everyone had shared. It was my turn.

The words fell out of my mouth; “I never wanted to be an administrator. I’m thinking God has a sense of humor and right now I’m a source of laughter for Him!” There. I said it.

At least everyone chuckled like they thought I was kidding.

I LOVED teaching…and I love God’s sense of humor!

Teaching always made my heart happy. Exploring something new about the profession made me giddy! I adored taking the student’s pictures at the beginning-of-the-year, creating lessons that met the needs of my diverse group, encouraging those needing a boost, and wrote endless notes to the shy ones. I enjoyed facilitating their learning. I also made them creative snacks to match our units of study and worried about “my kids” when I was home, and…on and on!

Yep, I was one of “those” teachers. I just had fun. And I had fun for 11 years.

Life then took an unexpected turn.

My principal informed me I was the new Reading Coach for the upcoming school year. Good news for me! Except when the new school year began, the grant that paid for this position had not been approved. My classroom slot had been filled. As it turned out, the district budgeted to add Assistant Principals at the Elementary campuses and guess who needed a job?

I wasn’t scarred or anything by a bad principal. My first principal actually tried to talk me into becoming an administrator. Who had the TIME to do what she did? Not me, I was too busy teaching…ha!  My biggest concern was being out of the classroom and stuck in an office. It was also different years ago. The concept of the principal as a manager has now given way to different types of leadership, including transformational leadership.

I walked into the administrator’s job with a smile on my face and (I hate to admit) a closed-mind. Carol Dweck hadn’t come along yet to give me some growth-mindset tips. Good excuse, huh? I did learn quite a bit as an administrator.

FIVE simple tips for new administrators:

1. Never compare. We hear this all the time, but it is SO true! I had two administrators I’ve directly worked for on campus. Both were polar opposites in temperament and leadership style. I gleaned from both. If I compared my actions on any given day to them or current principals in my district, I never measured up.  On those days, I missed the opportunity of becoming my best. Please don’t compare yourself to anyone! “Comparison is the thief of joy.” Theodore Roosevelt
2. Know yourself. The learning curve for beginning administrators can be huge. Knowing yourself will help straighten out that curve faster. What are your strengths and weaknesses? We all have them. Write them down. Surround yourself with people who can help with your weaknesses. For example, I am very global and sometimes the details of life can escape me. I have those key people around me that help me with this. (Think good administrative assistant.)
3. Communicate and communicate well…and then communicate again! At one of my first grade-level meetings, I shared a piece of information only to later discover that all five teachers heard it differently. Only one of them got-the-gist! Practice communicating in different ways, then check for understanding (just like in the classroom).
4. Delegate. That first year I strolled down the hall the week before school checking on preparations. The Special Education teacher asked about the location of a chart stand. I knew where to locate one and told her I would get it for her. I walked further down the hall. Another teacher wanted to know about textbooks. I assured them I would take care of it! By the time I got back to the office, I took half a dozen monkeys on my back and was crumbling under the weight. Learn quickly how to delegate!
5. Above all else, have FUN! Being a principal can be stressful. (Understated, right?) When feeling stressed, take a step back and see what you can do to infuse the FUN FACTOR. Seriously, this one thing can turn the tide of your campus culture. Whether you like it or not, you are modeling for your staff how you react to every situation. Take Mondays for example. Around my neck hung a clown tie with big black letters, “I LOVE Mondays!” when not really feeling it on any given Monday. The kids and staff loved it…and we ALL began feeling better in no time! On a couple of rainy days, I wore glasses that had wipers that swished back and forth and flashing lights inside the building to greet them. Note: Wearing said glasses too long will give you a headache…HA!

    

My teachers are a lot like my previous students.

As a principal, I adore taking staff pictures at the beginning-of-the-year, creating professional development that meets the needs of my diverse group, encouraging those that need a boost, writing notes, texting, or emailing. I also enjoy facilitating their learning, making them goodies/presents to go with our holidays/staff appreciation, worrying about them when I’m at home (although they can reach me 24/7 with modern technology!), and…on and on.

God does have a sense of humor. I LOVE being an administrator!

Lead joyfully,

Gail Boulton

p.s. Infuse the FUN factor into your campus by celebrating “Bizarre and FUN National Holidays”!