My Third Week As An Administrator

Not only am I a first year principal at Weatherly Heights Elementary, I am completing my last 3 courses toward a masters in Instructional Leadership.  I will finish up and graduate from Samford University this summer.  One of the courses I am taking is an instructional technology course EDUC 597.  We have explored numerous websites and 2.0 web tools that can be used by administrators and in the classroom.  The group I  worked with using Google Hangout decided to discuss the future and technology in the classroom.  We talked about managing cell phones and social media.  One of the member's school system is using BYOD, and the students already know how to use most of these devices.   While on the other hand, teachers and the administration must keep up with the latest technologies and web tools through training and professional development.  Our conclusion was that we must teach students to use technology responsible and take advantage of all the opportunities and information at their fingertips.  We must prepare our students to be college and career ready to prepare them for the 21^st Century global workforce.

I also went to Weatherly and the interior painting is almost complete.  Everything looks so fresh and clean.  The teachers should be excited to see their classrooms and hallways freshly painted.  The classroom floors are now being striped and waxed.  I also emailed and called the 3rd through 5th grade teachers to say hello and  invite them for training with "Teacher's College Home Grown Writing Institute".  One of our focus areas will be writing this coming school year.  It was really nice talking with each one of them and I look forward to meeting several of them at the workshop.

It has been a busy week with 2 finials and trying to make sure materials are ordered, we are registered for the writing institute and it can be paid for, and that all 3-5th grade teachers are contacted and willing to attend the training.  All I can say is WOW!

Second Week As An Administrator

The third week was full of meetings.  First I met with the gifted teachers.  She emailed me and asked me to meet her for lunch.  We met at school and went to lunch in her "little red car".  It was a very pleasant lunch as we discussed the gifted program, schedule, and expectations.  I told her my objective for the gifted program was for her to reach as many students as possible. She is truly a hard worker and I know she will continue to make the school move forward.  She is very interested in "The Leader in Me".

I also met with the President and the Vice President of the PTA.  I asked the new Assistant Principal to meet with us, so we could all become acquainted.  We discussed their calendar from years past, programs, fundraisers, and activities.  This is going to be a wonderful experience working with such professional and engaged parents.  The PTA board will meet next week and email me their proposed calendar for this school year.  Great things are happening at Weatherly Heights! I'm so excited!!!!

I also talked with a facilitator with "Leader in Me", 7 Habits.   She is the principal of a Lighthouse School and has offered to come and train myself, the assistant principal, and the instructional coach in the next couple of weeks.  She also will help get the faculty back on board with training.  This is so exciting for Weatherly Heights Elementary.  We go the extra mile while leading and learning together! 

First Week as Principal

First, I worked on building a positive relationship with my secretary. We went out to lunch and talked about family, interest, and some school business.   She is absolutely wonderful and extremely knowledgeable!  Secondly, I worked on developing a new Faculty Policy Manual.  When that was completed, I tried to get familiar with the building, grounds, and studied last years data and demographics.  I called a meeting with the former Principal, new Assistant Principal/TOSA, and new Instructional Coach last Friday morning.  I went to TARGET and brought fresh cut up fruit, orange juice, and several different fresh baked goods.  I wanted everyone to know how much I appreciated them coming in and how valuable their input and opinions are to the success of the school.  It was a very productive meeting and next school year is going to be great because I have a great team to work with.  The entire building is getting a fresh coat of paint and it is looking fantastic.  This is a very exciting time!

My First Year As An Administrator!

This will be my first year as an administrator with Huntsville City Schools at Weatherly Heights Elementary. I am so excited and apprehensive at the same time.   My experience in education has been a 6th grade teacher at the Academy for Science and Foreign Language for 13 years, a 3rd grade teacher at the Academy for Academics and Arts for 4 years, and a reading coach for 6 years, and a TOSA/Assistant Principal at Chapman Schools for 2 years. 

This will be a journal of my experiences as a first year administrator.  Come go with me and learn what it is like to be an instructional leader at this very exciting time.