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I’m New: What Did I Just Do?

How to Make a Positive Impact as

a Newly Minted Administrator

By Nicole Thompson, K-12 Supervisor of Instruction, Elmwood Park Public Schools

Think back to your first day office. To be honest, I was fortunate to From being in this unique situation,
have a very easy transition due to my I have learned what teachers really
as a teacher. Endless hours were amazing support staff and their belief want of their administrative team
spent preparing your course materials in me as a leader. However, even and what we want in return. Even if
and resources. Perhaps you were with the full backing of administration, you are an administrator no longer
anxious of how your students would we all have curveballs thrown at us. in a classroom, it is important to
react to you. Then, of course, there Tack on a situation where there is a remember your roots. Believe me,
was picking the perfect outfit. All of lack of support, and the loneliness teachers appreciate it. It is also
this may seem distant to you now, but factor of being at the top may seem important to remember that you
the first days as a new administrator insurmountable. For the first time, your cannot please everyone, no matter
are not all that different from those of teacher support system is missing and how effective of a leader you are. And
a new teacher or even a new student. that initial separation can be daunting. that is okay. By keeping the following
So how do you ensure those first few As an administrator still in a points in mind, regardless of what
days, weeks, and even years as a new teaching role (I teach two HS stage you are in as an administrator,
administrator are meaningful? English courses), I have the best but most importantly as a new
As a fourth year supervisor looking of both worlds: I lead by example. one, you will be on the right track
back, I have experienced tremendous Whatever I expect of my teachers, for fostering a positive culture and
growth from that first day in my new I expect of myself (and then some). environment within your building(s):

Educational Viewpoints -52- Spring 2018