Summer Leadership

This is the time of the year that is hardest for me. The children have left for the summer and now so have the Teachers. Today I am reminded that the work I do in the summer matters. I will hang on to the notes of kind words, the bright moments of celebration and the energy as long as I can through the summer. I am thankful for these thoughts because it will make the time away from my family this summer worthwhile.

The best school leaders are transformational and in educational leadership for the right reasons. They take on the sometimes painful work with diligence and mindfulness so that children will receive the very best for our collective future. As a principal, there are many things that make the job difficult. It is not just a profession but excellent leaders also have a clear calling – it is more than a profession. It is the intersection of profession, vocation, mission and passion. It is often thankless work that most do not want to do.

What makes the job more than a means to an end is when you have the privilege to work with people who understand your purpose.  They can see your passion.  They can feel your love through the support you offer to the best job in the world. Kind words of gratitude and gratefulness given at the end of a school year by Teachers, students and parents are powerful reminders of why we do this work as principals. I do my job so that Teachers can have everything that they need so that we can drive back to this most important question: