These past two weeks were full of issues after issues. I have come to realize how exhausting it is to balance everything between my work and personal life. On top of that, I am always ensuring that I am able to stay calm in front of my staff and continue to smile and joke with them. I try not to let them know that while they are speaking, I have about 101 thoughts in my head. Being in this position for about 6 months has been a roller coaster. Obviously life of an AP is completely different to life as a team leader/teacher as I am exposed to so many things. In this role, I am behind the scenes seeing how things are run and how decisions are made.
I am trying to balance both my work and personal life but at times I feel as though I am losing in my personal life. When the weekend comes I am beyond exhausted and I am not in the mood to do anything nor speak to anyone. I just want one day to be a couch potato but with having 2 kids it is quite impossible and not fair to them. I barely see them during the week so we wait for the weekend to go out and have our family fun. Trying to balance both is new to me and I am still learning.
Despite everything that goes on I still try my hardest to be there for my staff to support and help them whenever and wherever I can. Whether its a teacher needing to vent, a teacher receiving unkind emails from parents or if it’s just them wanting chocolate from my office, I try my very best to be there for them. My staff is my number 1 priority. At times, this does take a toll on me with everything that is going on. I continue to put that smile on my face and to listen and help.
One of my staff approached me the other day and said, “Oh wow, you are in your office, I have come 4 times to see you but you are never here.” I just smiled and stared and replied, “trust me, I wish I was on an island right now.” She was right though, I am barely in my office but you will see me all around the school as I am active and always doing something. I am never just sitting with my feet up sipping on coffee in my office.
Are AP’s meant to be in their office during the whole 8 hours? Am I doing something wrong by being in a meeting or wandering in classrooms or out during recess checking on duties or putting out fires here and there? I need to make sure that my staff are aware that they can email or message me if they need me urgently.
How are you as an AP or principal?
You need to remember you are HUMAN!! And you are doing the best you can. This is all new to you and just like motherhood, it took you a while to adjust and in the end you did and turned into a wonderful mother.. with time things will fall into place and things will run smoothly.. just be patient and don’t loose hope.. you’re doing an amazing job and I hear that on a daily basis!!
Oh wow! Thank you! means a lot 🙂 Very true motherhood didn’t come easily to me at all! I just hope and pray I would be able to balance my life and work by next year.
This is a great post about the reality of balance that’s required as a school leader. What if you posted a sign on your door that read, “Visiting classrooms to see the awesome work of our teachers and students. Please email me or leave me a note and I will get back to you.” I think it’s terrific that you are out where the magic is happening in the school! Stay the course… like all skills, the ability to balance only gets better with practice.
Best,
Jennifer
But my staff knows I am either in meetings, in classrooms, with angry parents or touching base with staff and following up on an issue. That I am not playing or having fun. I wish I can cut a piece of me for each staff member that needs me. 🙂 I hope and pray the skill of balance gets better year after year. Thanks for your feedback.
I feel that this post was written by me! I am in the same boat with you, Sister! Sometimes I get stuck in the “Black Hole” of my office, and become laden down with one referral after another. I’d much rather be in the halls, the classrooms, the gyms, the cafeteria…anywhere the kids are. Ours is a tough job, but one that is heavily leaned upon an trusted. I just pray that everyday I am growing, learning, and becoming who and what I need to be. Balance is hard. I’m striving to find and maintain it. Best of luck to you, Dana!
HAHAHAHAA glad I wrote this post on your behalf hehehehe. I never get sucked into my office! I wish that was the case. I see my office for half an hour in the morning and then again at 3pm at the end of the school day! I am all over the place. Is this your fist year as an AP as well? I am so happy to know I am not the only one going through this! 🙂