Category: School Support

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Teacher to Admin: Mike’s Story

The administrative team in a school makes a big impact on the teachers and students in the building. Every administrator is different, and every administrator leads in a unique way. The role of a principal or assistant principal is to support, lead, and teach their students and teachers, among other things that would fall under these three categories. In order for an administrator to fully understand what their teachers need, I believe it is crucial that they have spent some time actually teaching in and managing their own classroom. It’s one of those “you don’t understand it until you’ve actually done it” kind of things. I had the chance to talk to Mike, a teacher-turned-administrator, and was able to get his insight on the shift from a classroom teacher to a vice principal. Let’s see what he had to say!

What grade(s) and subject(s) did you teach while you were in the classroom?

6-12

Social Studies – Utah History, U.S. History, Geography, World History, Government, History of Pop Culture, History of Food, Positive Psychology

Financial Literacy

Interior Design

Drama

I was also a school counselor for a year.

What is something you miss about being in the classroom on a daily basis?

The thing that I miss most about being in the classroom is the deeper, more individualized connection I was able to develop with students. I was able to see them on a regular basis, get to know them, understand what strengths they had and what needs they had.

What influenced your decision to leave the classroom and become an administrator?

I went into teaching to advocate and support students. I went into administration to advocate and support teachers. I realized if I could support teachers in a building, I could actually have a broader impact on the larger school population. I also had some situations where I felt like I wasn’t being supported by administrators and wanted to be part of the change. Furthermore, I’ve always been one who wants to learn systems from every angle. Experiencing the public school system from a teaching perspective is much different than experiencing it from an administrative perspective.

What is your favorite thing about being an admin?

My favorite thing about being an admin is problem solving. Every single day is different, and every day requires me to access different parts of my brain, my experiences, to come up with solutions to very unique problems. I step into the building with no idea what will happen that day, and that is exciting to me.

I also love watching them navigate “firsts”  on a regular basis. First locker, first break up, first death of a loved one, first failing grade, first passing grade, first solo in a concert, first place in a race, etc. Being able to help them navigate through these firsts is so rewarding.

What would you tell someone who is considering becoming an admin, but isn’t quite sure they want to make the switch?

I would tell them to make sure to cherish the time they have in the classroom. It’s one of those “you don’t know what you have until it’s gone” situations. Classroom teaching is difficult, but there’s just something about it that you don’t quite get to experience once you leave it. You still get to interact with students as an administrator but it’s just different. I would also encourage them to ask if they can shadow an administrator for a week. I think it’s easy for a teacher to view administration as something that it’s actually not. I was completely blindsided by the amount and scope of work that I had to deal with as an administrator, and that’s partially because I have worked for some great administrators that made the job seem easy, even though it wasn’t.

What do you love most about the students you work with?

I am inspired on a daily basis by my student’s resiliency. The fact that students get up every morning, get on the bus, come to school (something many of them don’t love), and face many unknowns and challenges every single day is inspiring. Students have very little control over what is happening in the world around them, yet they still show up. Every. Single. Day. I have seen students experience some of the most horrific things one could imagine, and yet, there they are in 1st period, learning about the pythagorean theorem. I also see this resiliency watching them navigate “firsts”  on a regular basis. First locker, first break up, first death of a loved one, first failing grade, first passing grade, first solo in a concert, first place in a race, etc. Being able to help them navigate through these firsts is so rewarding.

What great insight; thanks, Mike! From his answers, you can tell what an excellent administrator Mike is. Administrators like Mike, who lead with kindness, understanding, and love, are the kind we need in schools today. Students face so many hard things in their lives, and school should be a place they can come and feel safe and taken care of by the teachers and administration at their schools. The next time you see the administrator of your own school or of your children’s school, take a minute and thank them for their hard work!

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Are Parent Teacher Conferences Even Worth It?

Last week we attended parent teacher conferences for my four oldest kids. Between the time spent meeting with teachers and the time spent waiting to meet with teachers, we were at the school for almost two hours. It was a long night. I started to wonder if it was even worth our time and the teachers’ time when everything that was said probably could have just been said in an email. But then as I sat and thought for a minute, I remembered that there really is great value in taking the time to go into the school and meet with the teachers face to face. 

In person meetings open the door to establishing a relationship with the teachers. It’s important to build rapport with the people in your children’s lives. And from a teacher’s perspective, it’s really nice to be able to see the parents and families of your students, as it can give you insight into the student’s family life and their situation. 

There is also something to be said for actually being in the classroom where your child learns. My kids love to show me where they sit, fun things they love about their classroom, and where their cubbies and other things are in the room, and I love being able to see all of that. I remember nights when even my “too cool” junior high students would be so excited to show their parents where they sat in my room. Students, parents, and teachers alike can enjoy being in the classroom together.

While face to face meetings and being in the classroom are both solid reasons to spend time at parent teacher conferences, I think the most important reason is for students to hear the good things that are being celebrated. As a teacher, celebrating and praising students was one of my favorite things to do. Everyone loves to hear they are doing a good job. I loved getting to tell parents about the amazing things their child was doing, especially if the student was right there with us. Nothing can replace the pride and joy that would come across the student’s face as they heard good things being said about them. As a parent, it’s such a sweet moment seeing my child’s face light up when their teacher praises them. 

So while parent teacher conference nights are long nights, the time is worth it. In order for there to be a positive relationship between parents and teachers, it’s crucial to have good communication, and conferences are such a good way to accomplish this. By taking time out of your busy life to meet with teachers, it shows your child (and their teacher) that you are invested in their education and progress. Is it possible to be invested without attending conferences? Absolutely. But conferences provide a unique opportunity for students, parents, and teachers to all come together to celebrate (and correct if necessary) the things that are happening in the classroom. 

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Support Staff are the Backbone of the School

High School Students Wearing Uniform Being Served Food In Canteen

Schools are a working machine, with many parts. Each part is crucial to the overall functionality of the school. I don’t know of a single school that could run efficiently without its support staff. A school needs many hands to make things work. Those who work in the background generally don’t get the recognition and praise they deserve. But they do deserve to be acknowledged, because what they do is so important!

Custodians are vital to the overall physical appearance and functioning of the school building. They work so hard to make sure everything in the building is safe and in working order for employees and students. They respond to requests, big and small, to keep the school running as it should. 

Secretaries keep the logistics of the school running smoothly. They are often the first people to greet and talk to visitors as they enter the school. They keep things organized and keep track of so many things. 

Para Educators and other aides are incredibly helpful to classroom teachers. They are an extension of the teacher and allow teachers to accomplish so much more during the day. Aides help manage student behavior, help students with academic tasks, monitor playground and recess time, and encourage and uplift students. Para educators are essential for the support of special education classrooms. Oftentimes, they accompany students with special needs to mainstream classrooms. Sometimes they are assigned to work with one student individually. Whatever their assignment, they are vital to the school.

Where would we be without the dedicated cafeteria workers? They work tirelessly to provide nutritious meals for students. Their job is essential to the physical well being of the students. 

If you’ve ever worked in a school that has the privilege of having its own copy center and aide, you know just how valuable that resource is. Copy center aides help teachers by copying, assembling work packets or booklets, laminating, cutting papers, etc. Their work saves teachers so much time. While valuable at any grade level, upper grades would likely benefit most from the help of a copy aide due to the amount of students each teacher has in a secondary school.

Since the use of technology is so abundant in today’s classrooms, the role of IT techs is extremely important. Not all teachers are as computer savvy as they would like to be, so having access to someone who is can be very helpful. There are many times when I was incredibly thankful for the IT person at my school, but one instance stands out. It was time for end of the year testing, and I had just settled my class of 35 students into the computer lab, had them log in, only to have the network start glitching. I could troubleshoot most computer problems, but that was one I did not have the skill set to solve. Thankfully, the IT tech came to my rescue and we were up and going quickly. In today’s world of widespread technology use, the role of IT techs is priceless.

Last, but not least, let’s not forget speech therapists, behavioral therapists, occupational therapists, school psychologists, and school nurses. These workers do such important work in helping students make progress in specific areas. As a parent with three children currently receiving speech therapy services, I am indebted to their dedication and hard work. Their quiet, often behind the scenes work is immeasurable.

The next time you’re at your child’s school or at the school where you work, take a minute and express your gratitude to the support staff. I know they will appreciate the acknowledgement, and it will make their day to know the work they do is not ignored.