Take Note: Advice from Admin to Admin

Accepting to enter the realm of Educational Administration is a life changing decision and takes some grit and resilience to make the plunge. The level of emotions may range from fear to pride. Regardless, once you accept the decision, never stop learning and seeking advise from those around you. My father always said, “You learn something new everyday,” so I still take his advice and continue to stay humble and learn from those around me. In my journey of becoming a young administrator, I made the effort to learn from my resources and experiences by communicating to multiple administrators by seeking advice, inspiration, learning opportunities, and asking hard questions around how they achieved their success. This list is a collection of the best advice I’ve received over the course of 9 months from over 10 administrators and management team representatives. This list will continue to give me motivation and determination in becoming a successful leader.

“Be the Relationship Builder - the small stuff counts.”

“It takes effort in presenting yourself professionally”

“Everyone is here for the purpose of students”

“Find a collaboration vs. dictation leadership style”

“Be a listener and ask questions.”

“In your 1st-2nd year, go to everything you can; see the kids' parents and coaches; be visual yet find balance.”

“If you can establish your own eval process read, Kim Marshall, Reading Teachers Supervision and Evaluation. Sporadic meetings more often in the year.”

One Piece of advice you’d give yourself in year 1:

• “There is no routine; keep doing what you’re doing and keep doing a great job - make sure your heart is in the right place.”

• “Trust your gut and phone a friend”

• “What they say their upset about is not ACTUALLY what they’re upset about - dig, be patient”

• “It’s okay to ask for help”

• “It’s okay to not always have the answers and it’s okay”

• “Don’t let the immediate get in the way of the important”

• “Listen to what other people, your heart, supervisor, subordinate and others are saying.”