assistant principals | Welcome To My World

Self Reflection

While working on schedules for Hybrid model for the upcoming new academic school year, I get a WhatsApp message from my principal asking “Would you mind doing a reflection for the bulletin this week?” Here I was a little bit confused and thought we had to write what we usually write and asked if that’s what she meant. Clearly I was wrong and she replied back with “ Not your usual. A reflection of your year. What did you enjoy about virtual school and what did you learn about yourself as a leader?” I quickly replied back with absolutely NOT and I got a thank you back. I lost all concentration on schedules and my mind started wondering about her two questions. I let it sink and thought about it a lot. I didn’t write anything down till the next day. I remember thinking about it before I fell asleep.

Next morning I got to the office and started typing away…

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Behavior Support Plan (BSP)

One of the very first questions my principal asked me was, “What does ES need after being an AP for a year?” So many things started running through my head and I didn’t know where to begin or what to say. I listed four or five things and then she asked, “Which one is the most important one you think that needs immediate action?” I immediately responded with, “a behavior plan.”

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A Decision

This year I followed through with a decision I had in mind last year. Admin decided, that we would take soccer away as a consequence since it was causing so many problems. Once I got the green light, I went ahead and sent out the email to all the duty teachers letting them know that there will be NO soccer for 1 week for grades 3 and 4.

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Change

As many of you know and read in my June blog posts, my old principal left and a new one came. When it comes to international schools and education there is always a turn over with either staff or admin/leadership. With that being said there are always changes when someone new enters admin.

My question is, why is it a fight or really hard for some to accept a simple change? Why are people hesitant to give chances and trust the process? I feel that the ones who always have barriers are the ones who do not want to improve professionally or be risk takers and try something that they are NOT used to.

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New Staff Check-in

The first week of the school year has passed. My new staff completed their first week with their students and had the opportunity to meet the parents. I usually meet with the new staff at the end of the first week for 15 minutes to check in and ask a few questions. However, after reading John Wink’s article on “5 Alternatives to Asking New Teachers How They’re Doing” I was excited to try a different approach. While reading this article, I realized how much I related to it. He described what I normally ask my staff, whether they are old or new. “Hi how are you? Or “Hi how’s it going?” He stated that when we ask those types of questions, it does not give us any indication on how they are truly doing. So instead, he states to ask specific questions.

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Guest Speaker

A month and a half ago Kimberly from University of Washington found me on Twitter. She reached out to me asking if I would be a guest speaker to talk about about Kuwait’s education, the everyday life in Kuwait and about my personal life. I gasped when I read her email and automatically replied back saying that I would love to. I was very nervous but knew that this would be a great opportunity.

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Admin life never ENDS!

I recently tweeted a few weeks ago the following statement: “Admin life does not end on the last day of school.” A few people responded privately saying, “I am glad I am not the only one that thinks this” or “ That is so true!” I smiled as I read them and replied.There is no such thing as a vacation when taking on a role in admin. We might not be on campus but we are surely working, thinking or reading. I am glad I wasn’t the only one feeling or thinking that way.

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Teacher Life vs. Admin Life

Being a classroom teacher for 10 years gave me the control of my own class. Each year I cared and loved for 23 students and their parents. I worried whether all of my students were learning and aimed to give my undivided attention to those who were struggling. I planned for 23 students keeping in mind those who needed the extra help. I worried each time I would give a summative, for those who would not do well and worried about their parents reaction.

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Reflecting on my first year as an AP

For the last twelve days I have been reflecting over the past school year. I have completed my first year as an AP and I felt as if I was on a roller coaster. There were many ups and downs and I found myself going round and round.

Thinking back on the year there are some things that I would do differently. In the moment, it’s difficult to analyze all situations. I don’t think anyone even with years of experience would have an answer for everything. Being in education there isn’t a day that repeats itself. There is never a dull moment because you are always on your toes.

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Goodbyes

Working in International Schools is not easy. I am finding it harder and harder year after year to say goodbye to wonderful admin/teachers. As a teacher I used to hide so that no one could come and say bye as I know that tears will start rolling down. Being in an admin role I knew that I couldn’t do it as everyone wants to come by and say bye. Those whom I built relationships with were the hardest. With some of them, I managed to say bye from far and waved and gave them a flying kiss. They understood the way I am with goodbyes. Those who don’t know how I am with goodbyes probably thought I was weird, cold hearted and heartless.

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