Aspiring administrators occasionally use the path around the Falls to find their way to this observer’s office to complete an assignment for a graduate class. Such was the case last week when an aspiring administrator scheduled an interview.
The individual said there would only be three simple questions, and these were provided prior to the interview: 1. What are the primary focuses of the superintendent during each month of the year? 2. What ongoing tasks are essential for the superintendent to be successful? 3. What is your leadership style and how is that style outwardly expressed to others? (How do staff, community, etc. know what your style is?)
It has become much more common that instructors of graduate classes in school administration encourage students to make connections with practitioners in the field rather than just reading textbooks on the topic. This encourages students to conduct a little basic research and can put a much different perspective on the topic under study. It can sometimes be a challenge to gain access to one of these practitioners, but working through that process can also be an education for the aspiring administrator.
Over the years, we have developed a reputation for being accessible and almost never turn down one of these requests. As it turned out, when the interviewer mentioned the name of the adjunct professor teaching the class, it was a familiar name, which is one of the benefits of being in the business for a number of years.
Given the fact that there were a couple of days of advance notice, there was time to ponder the questions to be discussed. The first involved the annual cycle of the ever-changing focus for individuals sitting in the leadership chair in the district. The preparation focus involved listing the 12 months of the year and jotting down a few notes about the big issues each month. Some of the same topics showed up time and time again. Recurring examples included personnel issues and budget work.
The little exercise of listing those activities for each month provided an opportunity to reflect on the big picture and see how the whole year comes together. It was a good process.
As we look toward August, the big topics for the month prior to the start of the school year included getting the administrative team set for the year, getting all the players in the right places, communicating the themes of the start of the school year, setting the tone for the kick-off teacher in-service and getting new teachers off to a solid start. A successful start to the new year really sets the stage for the entire year.
While there can be an annual cycle, no month is the same as the year earlier. One has to play the cards that are dealt in each hand, or perhaps determine how to best use the letters drawn in a round of Scrabble. It never quite goes according to the plan.
August can be a great example. Just when one thinks the team is put together, a resignation shows up in the mail or in the email. Understanding that can happen, it is always good to have a couple of backup plans in place to fill those last-minute spots or alternatives to provide the necessary services.
By the time the questions were finally covered in that interview, an hour and a half had elapsed on the office clock. It was a good chance to share years of insight with an individual who wanted to dig beneath the surface to learn about the business.
Like almost every line of work, helping interested young people get a better understanding of the work in a field can be very satisfying. Over the years, we have been able to give that helping hand to several individuals who wanted to learn more. That’s what it takes to allow good people to continue the tradition. There is lots of work to be done. This was a good chance to reflect on the big picture as we get set for the start of another school year.
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