Life of a Teacher

As a classroom teacher, I often wonder “What is my principal really thinking?” So, I asked one, and I’m pleased she was open to discussion. Connie Dunn is the principal at the middle school in my district. She has been a principal for over ten years, and before that, she was a high school English teacher. I’m really excited to share with you her thoughts, advice, and experiences. I think you’ll enjoy her candor and transparency as well.

Meet veteran middle school principal, Connie Dunn:

1) Describe your journey to administration, including your position now.

My journey began to administration while I was working on my EDS. I had completed my Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction and did my EDS in Leadership. It was at that time that I was really interested in becoming a principal. During my teaching career, I had always taken leadership roles. When I had completed my degree, I continued to teach, but thought constantly about becoming an administrator. I began applying for positions and became the Assistant Principal at the newly formed middle school in our county. Three years later the current principal was moved to another position, and I became the principal and have been there since. Prior to being an administrator, I taught high school English for 30 years. I taught regular English classes, AP classes, remedial classes, Applied Communication, and mythology. I also taught summer school classes. I will begin my 43rd year in the educational field this August.

2) What does a typical day look like?

I usually arrive early each morning. I like to check the building and be there as teachers arrive. After morning announcements, I like to stroll through the building. From there, there is never a typical day. I may never have to deal with any issues and stay in my office to complete reports, etc. Or, I may never sit down after I arrive because there are people or situations that need attention. A typical day is that I never know what to expect.

3) How do you support teachers?

I support teachers first and foremost by listening to what they say. I want them to know that I am there for them and that I am hearing them. I make it a point each month to recognize teachers with some token of appreciation, from a Sonic drink to a full meal. But, the biggest support I give is to listen and follow through. I begin every school year conducting individual conferences with each teacher. The conversation is centered around, “What is your goal for the year, and how can I help you accomplish that?” It is a question that allows them think about what they want to accomplish and that I will be there every step with them. I also established an active Leadership Team. This team of teachers can bring things to the table that I sometimes miss. I like for the Leadership Team to meet with teachers for input on scheduling, events, etc., and bring their ideas to the table.

4) What are your biggest challenges?

My biggest challenges come from the lack of support from the community or negative comments about the school. Middle school is a difficult age level for students, and the changes taking place for students many times are projected as problems with the school community. We work consistently to support parents and students to change that perception.

5) How is being an admin different from being a teacher?

Being an administrator is different from being a teacher because I work with all stakeholders. I must always know what is occurring in and around the building and classrooms. I must know what it takes to be proactive in not only giving students the best education possible, but also to support teachers as they work with students. Additionally, I must be proactive in providing a safe environment for all. As a teacher I focused on the students in my class and what it took to provide them the best education I could give them. I didn’t have to think about the daily operations of the building.

6) What has been your most successful moment as an administrator?

My most successful moment as an administrator has been watching struggling students succeed with teachers who are caring and have helped them succeed. I have watched new teachers grow into strong leaders in the classroom. At the end of the day, success is measured by the level of those who are learning.

7) How do you conduct, manage, and encourage communication between you and your staff?

I grew up in a small rural community. I went to school in the same system in which I now work. I was able to return to my home and get a job teaching. I taught most of the teachers in the building where I am now the principal. I feel that this is an advantage I have as an administrator. My staff knows I will do what I say, and I listen to what they say. I have an open-door policy to encourage communication. Having a Leadership Team to serve as my liaison also helps keep an open line of communication.

8) What advice would you give to teachers who are selecting resources, curriculum, teaching tools, etc. for their classroom?

Many times, as is the case in my system, the money for resources is not always available. I encourage teachers to use other teachers, to communicate with other systems, to share what they can. The best advice I have for teachers selecting materials for the classroom is to know the standards. If they do, they will be able to select quality resources that strongly, adequately, and effectively support teaching and learning.

9) What do you want to see in classrooms regarding discipline? What works? What doesn’t?

What I seek in classrooms for strong discipline is a teacher who is confident in the content being taught and conducts himself/herself as a leader. Students perceive a teacher who is not confident or not a good leader. Teachers need to show students that you want them to succeed. When students are engaged in learning, discipline will take care of itself. What doesn’t work is trying to be a friend. Being a friend and being friendly are not the same thing. You can earn respect from students if you show you care about their education. Never give “free time.” Even reward time can be a learning experience. My advice is to ask yourself this: “What do you want for these students, and how are you going to help them accomplishments that?”

10) What else would you want teachers to know?

I would like for teachers to know that “Teachers do hold the success for our future in their classrooms.” Challenge those minds. Teach students to think and seek not only answers, but also to ask questions that lead to further thinking.

After the interview, Ms. Dunn said it was a bit difficult answering questions about herself. I get that. Principals and teachers aren’t typically focused on themselves, and we don’t often stop to think about why we do what we do. We chatted about how reflection, though, is such a huge part of growth for the person who is reflecting and those who benefit from the ideas shared out. The veterans in the profession have so much experience and knowledge to share; I encourage you to see those people out in your building and district. Thank you, Ms. Dunn, for being willing to reflect and share this point of view.

Love this content? Join a group! There are already tons of ideas, freebies, and fabulous teachers in my new groups, and joining is simple. Just click over to the following links, answer a few questions, and voila! Thanks again for following along my classroom stories and small-business journey, and I really do hope you to see you over in my new “backyards” where we can chat and share all things English and Yearbook.

I’ve been a public school teacher for over a decade, and
over the years I’ve come to realize that my job takes up a large part of my
life, my heart, and my mind. I’m married
to a wonderful man, but the fact that sometimes my job creeps into the space
where our married life should be placed #1 hasn’t always been easy. My husband isn’t a teacher, nor did he grow up
in a teaching household. It was a
completely different world for him, but thankfully we’ve grown into this place where the demands of my job doesn’t cause a strain or resentment. The
spouse of a school teacher doesn’t always know what he/she is signing up for,
and truthfully, neither does the teacher.
I hope the following open letter to the spouse of a school teacher provides a point of view that will enlighten and encourage in a space that isn’t
very easy to explain, understand, or navigate.

1) The job never ends. It’s partly because we are excited about the work
we are doing, and it’s partly because there is just so much work to do. We are going to bring it home with us. We are
going to talk about it. If we aren’t talking about it, we are working on it. If
we aren’t working on it, we are thinking about it. If we aren’t working on it, we are talking
about it. You get the picture. All you
have to do is listen, nod, and help us carve out space and time to get it all done.

2) The exhaustion isn’t just physical;
it’s mental and emotional exhaustion, too. We pour into students all day long – we encourage,
we beg, we prod, we discipline, and we give, give, and give some more. They are on a roller coaster, and if we aren’t
careful, we ride it with them. At the end
of the day, we need someone to fill our buckets
back up because our students aren’t going to – neither are their parents nor
will the administration. It doesn’t take
much – trust me. Just a little will
do.

3) Like any job, there are going to
be good days and bad days. One day we will want to quit, and the next day we
will feel like we are on top of the world.
That’s because our hearts are in it, and sometimes it’s just because of
the moon phase! We don’t want you to
feel like you have to walk on egg shells. Remember that roller coaster? It’s easy to get caught up in the drama or to
become a part of it by telling us not to worry or to let it go, but it’s probably best if you don’t buy a ticket. The next day will be a
new day. Just be there to pray for us and help us
refocus.

4) We do need someone to help us set
up our room. In my high school classroom every summer, the cleaning crew
dismantles the room to deep clean.
It is impossible for one person to put it all back. One person wouldn’t
be expected to move herself into a dorm room or small apartment. So, yes, that means I’m comparing a classroom
to a small apartment. We do have that much stuff. We spend 8+ hours a day in that room. We would like it to be nice and
functional.

5) We love you very much, but the
world of teaching, shaping other little peoples’ minds, and the pressure, judgement, and expectations
we are faced with each day from the government, administration, parents, students,
other teachers, and our own need to do it all to the best of our ability, puts
us in a fragile state of mind and leaves our emotions frazzled. It’s hard to manage all that and then come
home and keep up the smiling, kind words, and thoughtful gestures. It’s not that we don’t want to – we just
usually don’t have much of anything left. This is the hardest one of all. We know it’s hard for you; it’s hard for us, too.

I always think of the movie Freedom Writers (based on a true story),
when the main character’s husband leaves her because she is “consumed with her
students” and doesn’t have time for him.
This scene makes me sad – like the kind of sad that hurts. She is blindsided by the fact that he is feeling that way.
She never intended for him to be left out; in fact, she spent hours telling him
about it. But wait, that was the
problem, wasn’t it? If you’ve watched
the movie, you know the ending. If not,
just know that she does an incredible work with her students, but she loses her
marriage. We aren’t choosing our
students over our spouse. I’m completely
aware it seems that way, but we truly aren’t. At the end of the day, we need and
want you more than anything or anyone – to be our rock, supporter, listener,
around-the-house helper, and biggest fan.
We will never get that
anywhere else, and if you can just hold on to the end of May, we promise we will make it
up to you.

Interview with a Veteran Middle School Principal

An Open Letter to the Spouse of a School Teacher

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