By teacher guest blogger Kathryn Rose
Last month we posted an article titled Beyond Self-Care: The Leadership Teachers Need. Within that post, it was suggested that administrators need to shoulder the monumental task of creating school cultures that effectively center the overall wellness of the staff and students.
Mark my words: this is not an easy task, but it is an essential one.
It is not a far reach to say that schools are like fragile ecosystems. They need balance and sufficient tools and resources to operate properly. Students and teachers play an integral role in their own local systems but administrators are certainly at the top of the larger food chain.
It is easy to fall into the trap of believing that teachers do the heavy lifting while principals sit with their feet up, waiting to dole out punishments to errant students, as often portrayed in shows and movies. While it is true that discipline is one piece of the administrative puzzle, school administrators play a key part in ensuring that all members of the educational ecosystem have access to supplies and opportunities that ensure large-scale academic success. This includes managing the people, data, and processes that foster a healthy school environment.
Administrators also shape the vision of the school and are leaders in creating hospitable climates that center student and teacher wellness. They are in charge of cultivating leadership opportunities for others, including parents and support staff.
“I’ve never burned out on the kids. I’ve never burned out on my subject. I’ve always enjoyed teaching, but the rest of it is exhausting and chronic.”To survive and thrive in this complex and critical role, administrators need to cultivate their own self care, professional development and support systems.
Being at the top of the food chain can be lonely!
At the onset of the pandmeic, a special burden was placed on administrators across the globe. The role of the principal has become even more critical in making sure that the needs of all are being consistently met. This role now includes retaining teachers in the midst of a pandemic, pushing forward school culture and values through digital instruction, and taking responsibility for student body achievement that at times needs to be met and measured at a distance. And let’s not forget the massive task of developing and adjusting protocols around ever-changing Covid-19 conditions – and managing the inevitable community response because no decision satisfies everyone.
So where can administrators find professional development and support?
If the overall goal of a school is to push out well-rounded, educated, and happy students, high-quality, professional learning opportunities for everyone involved in the ecosystem of a school is essential.
This includes the administration and principals.
In fact, research seems to suggest that teachers appear more likely to stay in schools that are led by principals that regularly participate in professional learning programs.
But where do you go for help when you are at the top of the food chain?
One option that many administrators explore is finding an experienced mentor. Mentorship programs for administrative professionals are abundant, but the best place to start a search is within the local districts.
Are there seasoned principals open to mentoring someone new? Is there a group of administrators that meet regularly to discuss professional development and personal struggles? The advantage to a local support group is that members will understand the unique challenges facing the community you directly work with.
As principals reach outward for support, state and national principal associations often have programs to help administrative professionals connect with others in their field for mentorship opportunities. The two largest organizations to connect with are National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) and the National Association of Elementary School Principals. (NAESP).
These organizations also offer regular conferences and events often hosted through their state affiliated chapters. Each state also has a principal association that administrators can join to receive regular support in the form of webinars, professional development courses, connections to peers, and discounts for national conferences and events.
Administrators need community too
It is important to remember that administrators and principals play a vital role in creating a healthy and happy school environment, but they need a strong community to support them too! There are many places to start seeking out professional development and mentorship with professionals that understand the daily struggles of administration and are also passionate about its outcomes.
When a principal is surrounded by a community that cheers them on, and is committed to their own personal and professional development, everyone in the ecosystem benefits.
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About Kathryn Rose
Kathryn Rose is currently a virtual tutor and a museum resource teacher. She also freelances for businesses and startups in the education field. She has taught at her city’s botanic garden for 12 years and has been a Social Studies teacher in both private and public schools.
