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Feature:
Rookie Assistant Principal Reflects
Update:
Profile of a Grad: Public Hearings
Reminder:
Fall Professional Development Preview
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In My Rear View Mirror: Reflections of a First-Year Assistant Principal
R. Shelley Andrews
Lessons learned from my rookie year.
I recently finished my rookie year as Assistant Principal at James Wood Middle School in Frederick County. After thirteen years as a classroom teacher, I knew that the transition would be a great one, particularly in a building with a programs for a number of specific student populations (a cross-categorical ASOL program, a behavior program for students with emotional disabilities, and students on the autism spectrum, for example).
Since my former life was spent as a general education teacher, one can only imagine the learning experiences that came at me quickly in this new environment.
Fortunately for me, my educational leadership program prepared me well, and I was supported by strong division and building leadership teams, as well as wonderfully understanding faculty, staff, and school communities. This has been my most intensively immersive learning experience since I became a parent.
Some collected musings from the year:
- Three words: Trial. By. Fire.
- Don't ever ask a student "Do you think this is funny?!?!" You do not want them to answer.
- Great teachers are worth their weight in gold. Support them in their continual growth, and let them know how powerful their skill set is.
- Great front office secretaries are like your most skilled staff sergeants. You simply cannot make progress without their decision-making and troubleshooting.
- Someone, somewhere is sitting in an IEP meeting that was supposed to end an hour ago.
- The likelihood that pre-teen boys will make good decisions reduces significantly when they congregate in groups.
- Everyone speaks in hyperbole. Always!
- If you work as an administrator in a school with a behavior program, get used to being unable to wear your heels anymore.
- My first student discipline hearing was so tense, it was quite daunting. Seven months later, the same student wanted to hug me after the school dance. Don’t give up.
READ MORE.....
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Update
Care About the Future of Public Ed in Virginia?
The Board of Education's upcoming public hearings are valuable opportunities to learn
and to be heard. Participate if you can!
At this series of public hearings, Virginia Board of Education members will listen to
whatever you have to say. However, they are traveling the state specifically looking for your feedback on these topics:
*Development of a Profile of a Virginia Graduate, and changes to high school graduation requirements and how schools will be accredited in the future.
*Implementation of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) and Virginia’s accountability system
*Recommendations regarding the Standards of Quality.
*Identifying conditions and needs of public education, for updating the Board’s comprehensive plan and annual report to the Governor and General Assembly.
Hearings will be held in Manassas (7/14), Williamsburg (7/19), Abingdon (8/24) and Lynchburg (8/25). Background information is available here.
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Take advantage of these PDIs!
This fall, VASCD is bringing a timely and valuable lineup of Professional Development Institutes to educators statewide.
Our Unit and Assessment Design Series for Teachers will support teachers in transforming instructional units for future-ready students, developing performance assessments, and designing high-quality rubrics.
Our leadership series, Making a Difference from Central Office, will benefit all central office leaders, but is especially designed for those whose move from a building-level to division-wide role is recent.
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