“You never really know a man until you understand things from his point of view, until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.”
Lee, Harper- To Kill a Mockingbird.
To All School Administrators:
For nine years I walked in your “skin” as an assistant principal and principal. I know the challenges you face, the hours you dedicate to your school, and the joy you experience watching students succeed.
However, each of you are unique, and each of you have your own personal fears, motivations, thoughts, and skills that allow you to take on the incredible responsibility of being a principal.
So too, each school is unique. Far beyond your control is the size and location of the building, the learning needs of the students, the variety of families, and of course the skills and experience of staff members. These factors all play a huge part in creating the environment of your school.
Each day you oversee and implement the School Improvement Plan that drives instruction, evaluate teachers, and interact with students. Principals are asked to take on many other assignments and responsibilities such as serving on district, county and state committees, presenting at conferences, and attending professional development.
And when it looks like the day is done, you now have the pleasure of working with your community being a diplomat, communicator, friend, and neighbor.
As the leader of your building, you balance all these and many more tasks in order for students in your school to succeed.
In their book, Leaders of Learning: How District, School, and Classroom Leaders Improve, Richard DuFour and Robert Marzano write: Creating the conditions to help others succeed is one of the highest duties of a leader.
October is Principal Appreciation Month and I want to take a moment to thank all of you for creating those conditions in your school that help our staff and students succeed. I would add to the above text and say that creating the conditions to help other succeed and witnessing that success is also one of the most satisfying, motivating, and joyous feelings a leader can have. Your dedication to your profession, to this district, and most importantly to the children in our classrooms is commendable!
With deepest appreciation,
Glenn