When you ask someone what leadership looks like, few people will describe someone who quietly does their job, day in and day out with a smile on their face.  Always professional, never showy, always firm but kind, encouraging others rather than lifting themselves up.  But this is exactly what great leadership looks like, someone who lifts others up and allows them to use their gifts, helping them along the way, but not micromanaging.  This perfectly describes my current assistant principal who is headed to her next great adventure as a principal of another elementary school.

Assistant principals have an amazing amount of work and like most people in the educational system get very little credit for it.  Late nights, meetings with parents, staying for school events and the daily challenge of working with young people who struggle behaviorally can take a toll on anyone, but somehow she always manages to stay (or at least look) calm, cool and collected.  Her leadership is consistent, not only for the faculty and staff, but more importantly, for the students.  I can be having a hard time with a student and she can walk in and very quietly ask them to go with her and they do.  She has built a trust with the students that gives them a sense of safety and security.

I was fortunate enough to sit in on interviews for her position and she definitely stood out from the rest. While the others did a nice job, she came across as an authority, someone who loved what she did and was excited for the challenge of opening a new school.  The choice was clear to us and we were thrilled when she accepted the position.  We were not disappointed.   I think all of the staff would describe her as quietly outgoing, not boisterous but with a great sense of humor, seeing the humor in the crazy things children can do, and situations we can all get ourselves in.  This woman has never demanded respect but has certainly earned it.  The faculty and staff are her friends and colleagues and she transitions smoothly from friendly banter to working on teaching strategies.  Her day consists of troubleshooting and trying to stay ahead of whatever needs to be done next, with the occasional run down the hallway to help a child who may be really struggling.  At the end of the day she can be found outside, rain, snow or shine helping kids get across the the crosswalk, waving and talking to parents and making sure each child gets away from school safely.

She would never consider herself an example to follow but she is.  She is a wife, mother, career woman and a leader.  However, the most important attributes she has are what is inside.  She is kind, caring, dedicated, responsible, hard working and the epitome of a team player.  These are the kinds of traits we try to teach our students every day and she stands as a great example for them and also for me.

I’m not one to speak from the heart in a face to face kind of way, but knowing that she reads this blog, I just want to say that it has been an honor to work with her these last two years and I will miss her.  I will miss sharing silly stories about the kids with her at lunch, I will miss walking by her cheerful office, I will miss watching her work with individual kids and making them smile, even when they don’t want to.  I know you will be amazing at your new school because you care so much about educating the whole child and that means supporting the teachers who provide that education.  I know you are the kind to develop relationships quickly and that everyone at your new school will love and support you like we do.  And as one leader to another, I need to let you know that I have learned from you and I believe this will help me develop into a better leader.

When you have someone who affects your life, who has changed things for the better, it’s important to let them know in some way.  It’s hard for me, being the introvert I am and having a fear of rejection, to let people know how I really feel. It’s something I’m working on, trying to let people know how much I care about and admire them.  Thank you Steph for coming into our lives and leaving Wysong a better place.