Six-Month Reflections

*originally published six months into my first school year*

I recently completed my first 6 months school administration.  I began this blog to document my own learning, but also because it was difficult to find any blogs or information about being an assistant principal – and certainly even fewer about being one in an elementary school.

These are 10 things I’ve learned so far:

1. Always put students first.
2. Plan your day, but know it’s rarely going to go as planned – and that’s ok.
3. Children and ADULTS need routines.
4. Plan your to-do items for specific days
5. Be ready for difficult conversations: with staff, students and parents/guardians.
6. Learning from a mistake is just as powerful as a ‘consequence’ for students.
7. Everyone’s problem is big in their eyes, treat it as such and offer perspective if appropriate.
8. You may end be the most mature person in a room, so act like it.
9. Balance is a myth, put your intense focus on things that matter for specified times.
10. Delegate to those you trust.