A little over two years ago was my last blog post where I shared the 10 lessons I learned from being an interim principal for about 9 weeks. I ended that post with this:
“Real talk. The first 4 weeks, if someone had asked me, do you want to be a principal…it would have been a real hard pass. These last two weeks I have been shown what being a principal could look like and that I can do it. Will this be my calling? Perhaps. If it is, I’m ready and if it isn’t, this was an important and memorable part of my journey.”

Life sure does have an interesting way of putting you exactly where you need to be when you least expect it. After my last post I went back to being an instructional coach unsure of my path and feeling more lost than any other year. I had applied for some principal jobs but it hadn’t worked out. However, I learned very quickly just how much neighboring districts talk. My name was shared and last June a superintendent called asking me if I would consider applying for a principal job in his K-8 building. I almost didn’t apply it was for Kindergarten through 8th grade and shhh don’t tell anyone but middle school made me nervous. I almost didn’t hit submit because the several other times I had tried elsewhere, I was told thank you but not this time. I had convinced myself that the principal book cover was not for me. I had convinced myself not to turn the page based on the words: not this time.

Here’s the thing though, I had to ask myself, what will I regret more: turning the page or putting it back on the shelf. Spoiler alert, I turned the page and in a surprising turn of events I cannot imagine my life without being the LW principal. I am now a part of something I didn’t know I needed but am so glad that I found.

I recently wrapped up my first year as a K-8 principal with 192 students and roughly 20 staff members. There were highlight reels, work in progress moments and everything in between. From Day 1 to day 210 it was a journey that I will cherish always.

I have been reflecting a lot on this last year as I get ready to start year 2 and here were my biggest takeaways:

Takeaway #1
You can leave a district you have taught at your whole life and reestablish yourself

My first 15 years in education were in the same school district which just so happened to be the same one I had attended as a student since 5th grade. My history there ran deep and that was one of the reasons why taking the leap was one of the hardest decisions. I am here to tell you though trust your heart when it tries to tell you it is time for a new adventure. It is ok if it is time to go and it is ok if it is time to make a change. Especially if that change supports your family and your mental health. When you put building relationships and kids at the heart of everything you do it will show. It will establish yourself in the light you want it to be.

Takeaway #2
Chocolate milkshakes are more than just chocolate milkshakes

Every once in a while when I least expected it and perhaps when I needed it the most, my superintendent would deliver a chocolate milkshake to my office along with one for the secretary and the bookkeeper. Upon first glance this seems like something so small and so simple but I learned 5 important lessons from this small act:
1. Surprise gestures of thoughtfulness do not have to be large, elaborate, or expensive.
2. One simple thing can foster and promote a positive culture and climate.
3. When you show that you genuinely value others everyone feels more inclined to roll up their sleeves and dive into the hard work.
4. Building relationships is the single most important job of a leader.
5. Work for a superintendent who delivers chocolate milkshakes.

Takeaway #3
If you have to delete and retype a sentence more than 3 times…call and/or walk down the hall to chat

I have always felt that in person is best but sometimes typing email feels easier and/or more efficient. The above sound advice came from my school counselor and it has been a game changer. It even has become my guide as I communicate with everyone in my school community. It not only helped me to ensure there is no miscommunication, but also had bigger impacts than I could have imagined. Is it harder sometimes? Absolutely. Does it open yourself up to be more vulnerable? Heck yes. But at the end of the day it is more personal and helps you strengthen and maintain positive relationships.

Takeaway #4
Share your calm vs. join the chaos

This is a work in progress for me for sure. It is very easy to get all riled up because sometimes the person coming to you is all riled up. You can get lost in their feelings making it more difficult to see the big picture and encourage steps forward. I found listening, note taking, and simple words such as what do you need to move forward make all the difference when dealing with numerous situations.

Takeaway #5
Read books to kids during lunch

This was absolutely one of my favorite things from the year. It all started because I missed reading aloud to kids. I missed getting lost in conversations about books. I read picture books to grades K-5 and first chapters to 6th-8th. It quickly became my thing and the book joy the grew over the course of the year was rewarding to watch. It was the perfect way to bond and get to know my students. It was also fun to deliver books to classrooms where they could be enjoyed again and again. What started as an idea and one book turned into me reading 50 picture books and 20 first chapters. What turned into maybe a one time thing became a weekly thing that I plan on continuing for many years to come. It also reminded me you are never to old to be read aloud to and that one should never underestimate the power of books!

Takeaway #6
Social stories and rain sounds are powerful tools when it comes to regulating emotions

I always knew what social stories were but honestly I didn’t fully understand their value nor had I seen them implemented effectively. My special education teacher taught me that students need to learn strategies and immediately practice when they are in a more regulated state of mind. Social stories cannot just be saved for when we are in crisis mode. They need to be read, listened to, and discussed when we are regulated. If we are only accessing these when a child is experiencing emotional dysregulation, the strategies may not work in the way in which we intended. Also by weaving these into instruction when students are in a more regulated environment, we can increase the successful application of these strategies. Rain sounds was also a tool that I used when students needed a moment to find their calm, take deep breaths, and/or reset before moving forward. When a student was sent to my office in a state of distress, they knew I would give them 5-10 minutes to listen to the rain before we would talk. I ended up putting a shortcut on my phone where I could quickly access it from any place in the building.

Takeaway #7
Your to do list is never 100% cleared

This is one piece of advice I had received from one of my mentors before entering my first year and boy did it ever ring true. I learned very quickly that what my mind had thought would be on the docket for the day ended up changing 5 if not more times as the day unfolded. It reminds me of the Golden Gate Bridge method Donalyn Miller (author of The Book Whisperer) references when speaking about conferring with kids. The Golden Gate Bridge is always being painted. They start at one end and work toward the other. When they are done the process starts all over again. It is never-ending but an important job that preserves the bridge and ensures it can be used safely. A principal’s to do list is very much like that which means you must show yourself grace if something doesn’t get checked off. Again if kids are at the heart of it all, it was a successful day. Prioritize your list and show yourself flexibility.

Takeaway #8
Work for a superintendent who believes in you, encourages you, supports you, centers you, challenges you, mentors you, gets to know you, notices the little things, has time for you, has your back 110%, and puts kids at the heart of decisions

This. Is. Essential. This allows you to set boundaries in your work/life balance that are healthy because it is encouraged and modeled for you. I truly hit the jackpot when it comes to working for a school leader who was exactly what I needed at this point in my career. I think what I learned most is that when the above happens on a regular basis the worst day in the world can be reset the following day. When the above happens every day, you can be at your best.

First year in the admin books achievement unlocked 🔓👊

✌️Year One! Thank you for being exactly what I needed at exactly the time I needed it. Being a Limestone Walters Rocket is pretty great.