Wow! This chapter probably caused me to reflect the most. I am very proud to be an Assistant Principal and look forward each day to the challenges and new learning that I will experience, however I know that it is really easy to lose focus of the other important things in your life. The job requires a tremendous amount of time. It is not unusual to put in 65-75 hours a week with instruction, discipline, supervision, and extra duties. I have gained weight and struggle to spend as much time as I'd like with my family due to the myriad responsibilities involved with the job. This chapter really allowed me to reflect (which also happened to be the theme of the chapter) on how I can best manage my time. I do look forward to the end of the program so that I can use my entire weekend for family but until then I will be brainstorming some ideas to help.
Another part of the chapter that I felt was meaningful to the position was to pick your battles. You simply cannot go to war on every issue. You wouldn't get anything done during the day. Our role as an instructional leader is to coach teachers to be the best they can be and learn from them too. I go back to the importance of building a collaborative culture with all members of the school so that we can be proactive vs. reactive and people feel comfortable going to another for help.
As an administrator, it is very important to keep your emotions in check. I have always struggled with this even before I became an AP. I get happy at the littlest of things but I can also blow up or show extreme anger on my face. This is probably the one area that I have been very aware of these past two years and I work tirelessly to control. I can't see how anyone will trust a hot-head therefore I now try to listen to the entire conversation and ask questions rather than trying to prescribe a remedy for every problem that exists at the school. I believe in ownership of a decision and that only comes through a collaborative conversation.
Lastly, the part about your health really made me wonder about my current practices. I really need to make time to eat lunch and work in some exercise regardless of when I come home. I still can't comprehend how Mrs. Logan, the high school Principal, can leave at 5:00 each day. Regardless, health needs to be a reflective point especially leaders with families.
I enjoyed reading this chapter and I expect to make some changes in how I manage my day, interactions, and my well-being.
Pete,
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for sharing! I haven't read the chapter yet, so to see that you discuss how going into administration changed your personal life reconfirms that I am not ready to make that commitment yet. I have young children and am not ready to miss events because of work. I enjoy teaching for now and gaining experience and learning in that direction and hope that will transfer over into a leadership roll when I choose that in the future. Good luck to you in making some changes in your life!
Pete - Wow, I haven't read this chapter yet, but from the sounds I it...I NEED to ASAP :) I agree with you that sometimes finding that balance is difficult, especially when we are in this program. It seems like the most important things in our lives get pushed to the bottom of the priority list sometimes (family, health, eating).
ReplyDeleteOn a personal note, as the principal of your two beautiful children, I can say you are a GREAT father and seem to have a handle on the balance because I see you at all the events and at THEIR school weekly - KEEP UP THE GREAT JOB PETE!!
Thanks Pete, for your great words! We all do need to figure out family time and that much needed exercise time each day. January will seem much easier to handle! Also, thank you for reminding me to always keep my emotions in check. My dad tells me how great you are on the campus! You are out on the golf carts connecting with your employees...great job!
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