As of July 24, 2019 I will officially be the new Director of Transportation for my school district. This was not a position that I sought out, but one I do feel that I am supposed to be in. While I won't be in the role by contract until the date above, I started several weeks back. As I moved into the position, the first thing I knew I had to do was get to know the drivers. I did this by riding bus routes twice a day for two weeks. Since I am learning to drive a bus myself, I asked the drivers to tell me what they were doing in the different stages of the drive. I not only learned their personalities, but I also learned a lot about driving a bus.
As the new director, I've been tasked with helping to reduce the number of discipline issues on the buses along with parent complaints as well as help build morale among the drivers. Fortunately, I have a supervisor working for me who has been on the job for years and can help keep things running while I focus on these priorities and learn the various aspects of the transportation program. I've also joined the state transportation organization and been to their conference and training. It was quickly apparent that transportation people are a strong group who are willing to help a newbie like me.
As I transition into this position, I know it will be challenging. It already is. But, I know I'm where I need to be and will continue to make a difference in the lives of kids, albeit in a different way.
Monday, July 15, 2019
In Process Part 3
Please note: This was written in June 2019, but I chose to wait to publish until July.
For the last several days, I've been sharing about a new opportunity that has opened for me. It is far from anything I've ever done in the past. Still, it feels right. I will be using many of the skills I have acquired as an AP just in a different way. While this is not the path I would have chosen for myself, it is the one I know I am supposed to be on.
For the last several days, I've been sharing about a new opportunity that has opened for me. It is far from anything I've ever done in the past. Still, it feels right. I will be using many of the skills I have acquired as an AP just in a different way. While this is not the path I would have chosen for myself, it is the one I know I am supposed to be on.
They say that when you start something new, you have to leave other things behind. I will miss the day to day action of the campus and interacting with teachers and students. There will be opportunities to do this, but not in the same way. I will, however, be able to impact many of these kids both directly, but more importantly, indirectly through the staff that I serve. In this new position, I will be leading a group of people who interact directly with children and help start and end their day. I have ultimate responsible for ensuring the safety of kids. My work will indirectly impact social and emotional growth by increasing positive interactions with kids on a daily basis. Interacting with parents to help their kids be successful will play a role in this position. I must learn new skills, new systems, and be able to put new ideas and processes in place. The learning curve for me feels like a wall. But, I've climbed that wall before and I can do it again.
In Process Part 2
Please note: This was written in June 2019, but published in July of the same year.
Two days ago, I started writing about my progress in finding a Principal position at our district 4-6 campus. I had interviewed twice for the same position and felt like both they went well. In fact, I heard through the grapevine that my interview was excellent. That made me feel even more confident.
Yesterday evening, I received a call to come to Central Office this morning at 7:30 am. All night long, my mind kept going back to this thought: "My life is about to drastically change tomorrow." Before I left the house, I completed a list of questions and requests for when I got the job such as, Would the district allow me to attend a New Principal Academy in July and when would I be able to meet with the outgoing principal? I wanted to be as prepared as possible. I sat down in the room with the Superintendent over Personnel and the Financial Director. After greetings and a little small talk, the next words out of the Superintendent's mouth were, "You weren't chosen for the Principal's position." Strangely, I felt a sense of relief rather than loss. It felt as though I wasn't supposed to get the position. Then she said, "But we have something else we would like you to apply for." They then began to tell me about a position they had been working on for the last several months and provided an overview of the expectations. While I won't go into details, I can say it would allow me to be over a large department that affects probably two-thirds of the children in the district. They wanted me to apply for it. After asking a number of questions, I left the meeting with a sense of both excitement and fear. Excitement that district leaders thought enough of my skills to ask me to look into the position and fear because it is nothing that I ever done before (although it requires many of the skills I have developed in my current position.) I don't have any idea if I will get it, but I was honored to even be asked to consider applying.
I spent much of the remainder of the day praying. I called mentors and asked their thoughts. I made lists of pros and cons. And I reflected over the last several months as I've begun to feel it was time to move from my current position. I remembered that, of all the positions I have had in education, only two have come from a formal interview. The rest were because people knew me and offered the opportunity. Also, I remembered thinking recently that it would be amazing if someone did the same thing again, particularly if I wasn't expecting it. That is exactly what happened.
At this point, I am trusting that this the direction the God is leading me and that He has laid out the steps. I'll do the application tomorrow and keep you posted.
Two days ago, I started writing about my progress in finding a Principal position at our district 4-6 campus. I had interviewed twice for the same position and felt like both they went well. In fact, I heard through the grapevine that my interview was excellent. That made me feel even more confident.
Yesterday evening, I received a call to come to Central Office this morning at 7:30 am. All night long, my mind kept going back to this thought: "My life is about to drastically change tomorrow." Before I left the house, I completed a list of questions and requests for when I got the job such as, Would the district allow me to attend a New Principal Academy in July and when would I be able to meet with the outgoing principal? I wanted to be as prepared as possible. I sat down in the room with the Superintendent over Personnel and the Financial Director. After greetings and a little small talk, the next words out of the Superintendent's mouth were, "You weren't chosen for the Principal's position." Strangely, I felt a sense of relief rather than loss. It felt as though I wasn't supposed to get the position. Then she said, "But we have something else we would like you to apply for." They then began to tell me about a position they had been working on for the last several months and provided an overview of the expectations. While I won't go into details, I can say it would allow me to be over a large department that affects probably two-thirds of the children in the district. They wanted me to apply for it. After asking a number of questions, I left the meeting with a sense of both excitement and fear. Excitement that district leaders thought enough of my skills to ask me to look into the position and fear because it is nothing that I ever done before (although it requires many of the skills I have developed in my current position.) I don't have any idea if I will get it, but I was honored to even be asked to consider applying.
I spent much of the remainder of the day praying. I called mentors and asked their thoughts. I made lists of pros and cons. And I reflected over the last several months as I've begun to feel it was time to move from my current position. I remembered that, of all the positions I have had in education, only two have come from a formal interview. The rest were because people knew me and offered the opportunity. Also, I remembered thinking recently that it would be amazing if someone did the same thing again, particularly if I wasn't expecting it. That is exactly what happened.
At this point, I am trusting that this the direction the God is leading me and that He has laid out the steps. I'll do the application tomorrow and keep you posted.
In process Part 1
Please note: This was written in early June 2019, but I waited to publish.
Last Friday, I started interviewing for a principal in my current district. The position I applied for is at a 4-6 campus with about 800 students. It is also the campus where I started my admin career as an Assistant Principal. For the past several months, I have had a gut feeling that this will be my last year at my current campus. I wasn't really sure why, but I couldn't shake the feeling.
Last Friday, I started interviewing for a principal in my current district. The position I applied for is at a 4-6 campus with about 800 students. It is also the campus where I started my admin career as an Assistant Principal. For the past several months, I have had a gut feeling that this will be my last year at my current campus. I wasn't really sure why, but I couldn't shake the feeling.
Interestingly though, the day after I interviewed for the 4-6 campus, I was also invited to interview for the Principal position at my current school. The position won't open for another year, but the district wanted to start the process early. Build a candidate pool, maybe. During that interview, I couldn't help but feel a sense of loss if I wasn't the Principal here. At the same time, I think they need someone with more of a background in literacy. Everything I know I've learned in the last four years. I've never taught someone to read in my life (except my son. I did have a hand in his learning using old basal readers).
Anyhow, this week, I've been waiting for a response to either position. Today, I got one. I was asked to come back in and interview again for the 4-6 position. Talk about stressful. But it is nice to know that the district and hiring committee from that campus think enough of me to ask me back.
At this point, "imposter syndrome" is setting in. I'm thinking of all the reasons why I would not be the best choice for this position. Strangely, though, everyone who knows I am seeking the position is sure I am not only qualified, but ready. I have to trust they are right.
Moving into a new position that I've never held would be a difficult transition. Still, I know deep down I am capable. I just have to convince myself of that. I wonder if others who go through this process feel the same way. Maybe "imposter syndrome" is the best indicator that I'm ready. I certainly wouldn't have applied if I didn't think I was.
As soon as I get a response, I will write an update. It could be turning out to be a very busy summer.
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