Page 69 - EdViewptsSpring2021

In my small classroom of children, till the time you go home.” I have saw something in their background,
I was comfortable and confident never been short of words in my life even a pet, I sent them an email or a
in my decisions. I knew I had their but at that moment I was gasping chat message. The relationships were
attention and their trust. What I said for air. Once I was breathing again, I blooming! My mindset was growing, I
and did was not risky or even the realized I was born to lead and I knew was learning and almost a year later,
least bit frightening. I had these kids exactly what that day would look like. I am still visiting zoom rooms, sending
eating out of the palm of my hand. I would walk in and greet everyone notes, and establishing relationships
In administration, this mindset was there, which would not be many, as I while leading along the way.
not going to work. I needed to shift would be super early! I then would put All of this sounds so great and so
to willingness to take a risk, to facing my stuff in my office and proceed to positive, but there were certainly some
fears and getting out of my comfort the grade level entry doors to begin hiccups throughout the journey. That
zone, and to being open to other greeting staff and students. All day I is where mindset became a huge
beliefs and ideas. would pop in and out of classrooms, piece. I was in a small, liberal district
These shifts seem simple on the the lunch room, the gym, the music with a large, conservative mindset.
surface but were quite difficult in the rooms, until I met every teacher. Daily, I had to remind myself that I had
beginning. I was not only coming from When walking in these classrooms, I the ability to not only acknowledge
a teacher to leader, but from a large would look around and find something different ideas but be open and
district in a city where students took positive to leave for the teacher. I receptive to such. Coming in with
taxis and trains to school, to a small would leave positive notes on their such a fixed mindset was a detriment.
district in a neighborhood where most desks or in their mailboxes. I would Shifting toward the growth mindset
students walked and everyone knew stop kids and show a genuine interest led me to places and ideas, I never
one another. How was I ever going to in them while introducing who I was. imagined I would get to. Who would
change this 12 year mindset? I had At the end of the day, back to those have thought that I could lead, change,
to learn to grow and be open. I had to grade level exit doors I would go. adapt and learn all at the same time?
learn it was okay to make mistakes so This sounded like an amazing idea Change is never easy. Mindset shift
I could acquire new knowledge and and a wonderful day of establishing is never easy. But it is all doable.
grow from them. I had to acknowledge relationships and creating rapport. Changing districts and/or changing
that I took this leadership job for a However, the pandemic hit…. job roles can be very intimidating,
reason: to succeed and advance. I All my fears and anxiety just became but this can be managed. Be willing
had to use my previous experiences unbearably high. How was I going to take risks, face fears, get out of
as an athlete to remind myself that to make this day go as planned? My your comfort zone, and shift to being
one day I could not shoot or dribble. I mindset changed, right? It certainly open to other beliefs and ideas.
had to learn and be open to coaching did. I was ready to learn and grow. Every district and every job role
and other ideas. It was and is not Therefore, virtual walkthroughs it presents challenges and beliefs, but
easy, but certainly has allowed me to was. I started by going to the biggest an open mind and a growth mindset
have an opportunity to thrive. classes, the physical education can allow you to overcome and grow
Along with a mindset change, I had to classes, the remote learning lunch/ in all situations. Carolyn Dweck
find ways to establish relationships, SEL period, art classes, elective put it simply, “Love challenges, be
create rapport, and alter some of classes, etc. Then I started going intrigued by mistakes, enjoy effort,
my conservative beliefs. I vividly to other classes and in each class and keep on learning.” These were
remember our superintendent saying I followed up with a hand made and are my keys to change and
to me the day I signed my contract, google slide with my Bitmoji with success will follow.
“Tell me about your first day. Walk me some positive feedback. I did not just
through what happens that day from follow up with teachers but students
the time you walk into the building as well. If a student participated or I

About the Author
Kristyn Suckow is an assistant principal at Highland Park Middle School. Prior to her administrative
career, she was a teacher of middle school Language Arts for 12 years. She has coached basketball,
soccer, and track and is a former Division 1 Basketball Player and Academic All American. Ms. Suckow
currently resides in Neptune, NJ with her fiancé, Damien, and they are expecting their first child in June.

Educational Viewpoints -67- Spring 2021