Page 52 - EdViewptsSpring2021

The Principal Is Not Okay!

Why the Social-Emotional

Wellness of School Leaders

Cannot Be Ignored

By Tom Conroy, Elementary Principal, Westwood Regional School District

Never before have for the administration that needs to be you have to have all the answers.
educators and school filled. Staying safe and healthy, and As I enter my 20th year as an
remembering that being vulnerable
administrator, I look back at the lack of
administrators faced what enough to admit not having all the care and the lack of attention I paid to
we have been living with answers is okay! Without self-care, my social-emotional wellness. “Never
it is difficult to do our most important
let them see you sweat!” That’s what
since March 2020! Though the work: caring for and shaping the next I would always tell myself, because
sign above the door says “Principal,” generation of leaders. back then, taking the time to look after
we know the position has taken I'm not quite sure whether or not the yourself, I thought, showed weakness.
on even greater challenges and expectation comes from us internally I would have to say I felt pressured
expectations than ever before. In the or it just comes with the position, to advance my career as quickly as
world of Social-Emotional Learning but from day one in the chair of an possible in order to not only have a
for students and staff, there is a void administrator, you feel as though greater voice and work for the change

Educational Viewpoints -50- Spring 2021