Page 62 - EdViewptsSpring2021
P. 62
The First Year Principal: There’s
No Better Time Than Now!
By Christina Scaduto, Principal of Jessie F. George Elementary School,
Westwood Regional School District
The right decision during wife and mother of two young boys, of yourself. I searched for advice,
the worst time can be was this the time to take on such a a starting point, and guidance, but
in the middle of a global pandemic
challenge? Was it a challenge, or was
the beginning of an it my time to take an entire school no one had answers. Once the
community under my wing? With much excitement settled, I reflected back
unbelievable journey. Being thought, fear, and hesitation, I followed to the realization that this journey I
the shared Elementary Assistant my heart and took the plunge. At the was about to embark on was nowhere
Principal for four elementary schools, end of August 2020 I was appointed as near normal. As I found myself sitting
led me down a path of establishing an elementary principal not knowing in the main office of the building, I
relationships and being exposed to the where to even begin. knew exactly where to find the best
best learning experiences. After three As most individuals who advance advice, in my heart. I reminisced back
years, opportunity knocked, during a down their career path, the first step to my roots as an educator. I thought
global pandemic! Was my professional was reaching out to all the mentors about all the experiences behind
path leading toward a principalship and “rocks” in my life who always had the walls of my own classroom, the
during the worst time in educational their faith and confidence in me – you ambition placed forth to land my first
history? What some do not realize is know, those individuals who always administrative position, and all I had
that professional decisions are just thought your professional capabilities been involved in and faced since the
as important as personal ones. As a beginning of the pandemic. At that
were far beyond what you thought
Educational Viewpoints -60- Spring 2021
