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The temperature and excitement were rising. 553 students and 30+ staff cheered in the gymnasium. We were saying goodbye to the 2023-2024 school year.
Dismissal began one last time. Staff lined the exit, hugging and giving well wishes to the kids who filed out of the gym as their buses were called. Faces were fraught with emotion. A mix of elation and sobriety.
Having boarded the buses, the kids leaned out of the windows waving their tiny hands. Hands that we held. Hands that we helped learn to write and complete equations. Hands that we taught to be kind and supportive. The bus horns blared and we waved back, tears hugging the corners of our eyes.
I smiled for the joy that they brought me this past school year. The memories that embolden me to be and do better as an educator. The memories that energize me when I feel overwhelmed or exhausted.
Transitioning from a high school assistant principal to an elementary principal has been the best decision of my career. But, it did not come without some bumps and bruises along the way. Some learning and growth opportunities.
Looking back on this past year, it’s no surprise that my takeaways stem from some of my core values. I hope these six takeaways will help any new administrator as they begin their journey into leadership. If you can do these six things well, perhaps you’ll mitigate some of the blows that can come your way as a first-year administrator.
“That’ll do, pig. That’ll do.”
Maybe it’s because I’m a millennial, but the movie Babe impacted me as a child and adult. It could be the reason why I was a vegetarian for six years or why I still have an aversion to all things pork.
The one part of the film that still resonates with me today is the line that Farmer Hogget, a man of few words, expresses to the beloved little oinker: “That’ll do, pig. That’ll do."
Farmer Hogget’s statement captures what Babe should feel for himself. A sense of accomplishment and pride. Pride in what he was able to overcome.
Babe did the best he could given his circumstances. That is all we can hope for in our first year in a new position - to do the best we can.
I’m not talking about blinding biblical pride or the kind of pride that gets you killed in a Shakespearean play. I’m talking about the kind of pride we should feel when we know we’ve done good work. When we should sit back for a moment and appreciate and relish that work.
I say all this not to encourage gloating which is the exact opposite of what I stand for. I say this because it is hard for many individuals to notice what they do well. While this past school year had some unanticipated hurdles, it was also a joyous one where I positively impacted others. And for that, I should be proud.
Babe did the best he could given his circumstances. That is all we can hope for in our first year in a new position - to do the best we can.
6 Significant Takeaways from My First Year as Principal
The first year at any job brings highs and lows. Reflecting on the whirlwind which we call a school year, it is incumbent upon a growth mindsetter to sift through the cacophony of that first year and distill takeaways to carry forward. Here are some of the most significant takeaways I came up with:
Listen in the hallways, listen in meetings, and of course, listen between the words. Observe.
1. Listen
Listening will propel any new administrator lightyears ahead of the pack. You are not filling the void with your opinions and perspectives. You are taking the time to soak in the environment around you and learn.
Listening well requires a ton of work, but if you stay committed, you'll learn things you would have never imagined. You'll then be able to adjust and pivot considering the input you take in.
Beyond your first year, you should continue to listen because God gave you two ears and one mouth for a reason. 😇
Listen in the hallways, listen in meetings, and of course, listen between the words. Observe. We communicate not only through our words but also our actions and bodies. Be attuned to those around you. Their needs. Their hopes. Their fears.
2. Go slow to go fast
My husband tells me I get stuff done. This can be good. But it can also pose some challenges. I want to accomplish things as fast as humanly possible. This desire is an Achilles heel because in my eagerness to achieve and accomplish, I can be hasty. And haste makes waste.
My eagerness can also cause me to take on too much. In your first year and beyond, make sure you go slow to go fast. The leadership coach I work with in my district pointed this out to me and it's stuck.
There is no need to make a quick game-time decision unless it is an absolute emergency (I’m thinking something tied to safety for example). Take your time and ensure you are not taking on too much or being hasty.
This past year, I bit into an idea proposed to me. I thought I was investigating it and reaching out to various stakeholders along the way. But I went too fast and made some missteps. I poured a ton of energy into it only to pull back after the first day. I went too fast.
So learn from my error and go slow to go fast.
3. Collaborate
When I started as an elementary principal, I knew I would miss my admin team. I was fortunate to have worked with some strong administrative teams as an assistant principal. As an elementary principal, you fly solo. You are the lone wolf howling in the night. But it doesn’t have to be this way.
You must collaborate in your first year. If a formal structure doesn't exist, create one. You should also have informal structures or go-to people. Find these individuals early in the school year. Lean into their expertise. Get their opinions so that you make the best decision possible.
I would also encourage you to collaborate as much as possible with other administrators. Establish weekly meetings that allow you to glean their insight and pass ideas by them.
Do not go it alone.
One of the reasons Lincoln was so effective is that he was present with those who did the hard work. He made himself available. This holds true with any administrator.
4. Be present
Years ago, I read a book about Lincoln’s leadership style and the one point that has stuck with me is mixing with the troops. One of the reasons Lincoln was so effective is that he was present with those who did the hard work. He made himself available. This holds true with any administrator.
Leave your office and be present in the hallways, cafeteria, and classrooms. Attend events and be involved in arrival and dismissal. What brings me the greatest joy is being around students and staff. Seeing them learn and work together.
As the year goes on, your ability to be present may be sidetracked by issues and meetings which arise. This is why your calendar is your best friend.
Use your calendar to schedule time to be in these sacred places. Do not let anyone schedule over that time. That is your time to be present.
Keeping things in perspective will help you get through the crisis or what people perceive as a crisis. It will keep you centered and calm.
5. Keep it all in perspective
The last week of school felt so incredibly long. Issues popped up that were completely unexpected. I had to tend to them while also trying to manage the end-of-year celebrations including trying to attend my own son's kindergarten celebration.
Keeping up appearances and the perception that everything was honky dory was a challenge.
What got me through that week was perspective. I wrote on my black dry-erase board, “Keep it all in perspective.” That statement stayed up the entire week.
When I was on the phone with an angry parent, I gazed at those words and was able to recenter myself so I could sift through their anger and try to remedy the situation.
When I handled some unexpected student discipline, I glanced at those words and tried to shape my response so that the student knew this was a setback and a singular moment in time, one to learn and grow from. A blip on the radar.
Keeping things in perspective will help you get through the crisis or what people perceive as a crisis. It will keep you centered and calm. And when you are these two things, you can make better decisions and even live a more fulfilling life.
6. Take care of yourself
With all the focus on self-care in education, I have to include this in my list. I will admit I’m sometimes not that great at self-care. I used to really suck at it. I’ve improved over the years though. Children and a husband will do that. You must disconnect and find joy in your life. You are more than your job.
We like to think we are irreplaceable, but when it comes to employers, they can remove you and plop someone else in who can be just as effective. Your family can’t do that. Invest in your family and loved ones. Do not let your job run your life.
Any email you receive after 5:00 is probably not a good one. So unless you want to be up all night thinking about that email or responding to emails as your family eats and reviews how their days went, I would advise you to disconnect. If there is an emergency, someone will call or text you.
When you create boundaries and abide by them, you will find yourself more energized and effective at your job. You deserve some self-care. Anyone who says otherwise or tries to pressure you to work on the weekends or at night is misguided. Don’t listen to them.
One Last Thought
Babe was one tenacious, resilient little pig. He dared to be different, forged friendships, and led with kindness. In a world where Babe did not belong, he found his purpose and achieved. I don’t mean to sound maudlin or hyperbolic about this little pig, but he can teach us some valuable lessons on leadership and life.
If you embrace the spirit of Babe and adhere to these six takeaways the first year in an administrative role, then perhaps you can find meaning and purpose. And just perhaps, you’ll find your definition of success.
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