Page 53 - EdViewptsSpring2021

I believed schools needed, but also watch the puzzled looks on the faces
as being the first person in my family of new administrators, as they seem Having to admit I just
to receive an advanced degree, to to look at me and say, “I can’t do that! couldn't keep up was
“make a name for myself”. I felt that I'm way too busy!” I do my best to
I needed to prove to everyone who reassure them that all their “worries” one of the hardest
thought it could never happen that it will still be there, regardless of whether things I've ever had to
could! I remember, at the beginning of or not they answer their emails or do. But having realized
my career, being in the office before make contact with other colleagues to
7:00 a.m. and not leaving until at least answer their questions. it almost cost me much
7:00 p.m. or 8:00 p.m. that evening. At One afternoon in November, I opened more than just not be-
that time, in the early 2000s, there was up my Instagram account and came
a big paradigm shift happening, where across a picture of an empty school ing able to do it all; it
the building leaders were being looked hallway. There were lockers on either convinced me I had to
at to facilitate more of the instructional side, just as you would see in most make a change.
programming. The term “instructional middle and high schools. The quote
leader” was the hot topic. Principals read as such:
needed to do more than manage a the expectation is that anyone can
building and provide support to the “I know Covid it is hard on my contact you at any time. Well, guess
teachers, families, and staff. Never students, families, staff and what? They can’t! You have the right,
having that confidence in my abilities, teachers, and community. But and the power, to say No! We have
I always felt as though I had to put running a school right now feels to continually remind ourselves that
in the extra work, the extra time, the impossible and thankless. I have it is okay if we do not answer a text
extra effort to make sure I did not look to be strong, positive, and brave immediately. It is okay to not answer
like I did not belong in the position. for everyone. I'm exhausted. I just an email on the same day, and most
importantly, it’s okay to leave the office
Not eating lunch, drinking only coffee, had to tell someone... Principal is for the day and not bring the office
not okay.”
not exercising, and putting the job home with you. Once you have left the
before everything else in my life I thought, “WOW!” That's someone office, your focus needs to be on your
finally took its toll. Having to admit I who gets it! I copied the picture of health and wellness and the wellness
just couldn't keep up was one of the the quote and pasted it to a new post of your family and loved ones.
hardest things I've ever had to do. I created on my LinkedIn page. My
But having realized it almost cost me caption simply read, “This is the truth! Since that post, I have made some
much more than just not being able to We need check-ins as well... :).” amazing connections with health and
do it all; it convinced me I had to make Though I am not one to post a lot on wellness professionals who offered
a change. the site, I really just put it up there their help. People such as April
Walters , from Fuel Your Optimal Self,
1
As part of our work at the NJPSA/FEA because it resonated with me, and and Mark Smylie , one of the authors
2
Leadership Academy, our curriculum I knew other people were definitely of the book Caring School Leadership,
development and presentations feeling the same way. I didn't expect to reached out to offer support and ask
are focused on various types of have anyone post comments, nor did I what they could do for us. It made me
instructional and non-instructional expect many views of the post. I think question if there is an army of us out
work that spans every position the most views I received over the there, why are we so hesitant to ask
designated as administration. Though years was maybe 100! To my surprise, for the help of the people who live
all the presentations are differentiated the post recorded over 67,000 views, the same job we do each day? I think
to match the needs of those positions, over 3,000 reactions, and over 600 it goes back to the feeling of having
one thing I always make sure to comments. This quote resonated to know all the answers. Imagine if
include is to share the importance of with people all over the state, the we collaborated more, shared more,
taking the time to take care of yourself. country, and the world. I truly believe asked for help or advice more? The
As Covid-19 has shifted our that people realized they have been results would transform the way we
the caring leader for everyone else,
presentations to virtual, I also share but who was caring for them? The know administration to be today.
the same message I share during our unfortunate probability is no one. In addition to other administrators and
in-person training. That is, to take this friends in the educational field who
time for yourself and allow yourself to We always think we need to complete feel the same way, there are some
be okay with just looking after YOU tasks asap, to get it off our plate, so amazing and wonderful people out
for the next 4 hours. Emails can wait, we can rush right on to completing there. You know them, the ones who
other matters can wait for the period the next task. Why is this? I think let you see there is still good in the
of time they are present and have the answer is easy. Look at your life world, who want to offer support if and
a clear mind so they can enjoy the in general. We are accessible 24 when you need it. Do not look at your
experience. It's always fun though to hours a day, 7 days a week. With position as one in which you need to
mobile phones, email, social media,

Educational Viewpoints -51- Spring 2021