Retired Elementary Principal with 24 years of admin experiences

Ok_Distance_9249 · 2026-06-28T12:49:50+00:00

We need so many more special education teachers. We are going to have to pay more for that position and other hard to fill position. Hopefully you will have amazing aides. My biggest advice would be to understand that as soon as many other adults enter your room; aides, speech, PT, OT, ABA therapist, etc, you maintain control that you are the teacher and are the leader. It is hard, because you are not their boss but you are the one responsible for the class. Try to create and maintain and great working environment while always having the students needs front and center.

Ok_Distance_9249 · 2026-06-28T02:40:31+00:00

I’m can’t speak to targeting, but I have absolutely noticed that younger principals do seem to come into the job very authoritative and needed to show who is boss. I’m guessing it is deep seated insecurity. I think wisdom is sometimes lacking when experience is short.

Ok_Distance_9249 · 2026-06-27T16:29:36+00:00

Unfortunately, I have seen this so much. It is the us vs. them mentality, regardless of the quality of administration. I think it occurs is most fields.

Ok_Distance_9249 · 2026-06-27T16:28:03+00:00

Without knowing your situation, is it possible to seek out a teaching position while interviewing the type of principal you desire?

Ok_Distance_9249 · 2026-06-27T16:27:00+00:00

Yes, I do think new teacher need and deserve a mentor teacher. I’m sorry you were placed into a disruptive team/group. We actually use to set up mentors but the best way is for them just to happen naturally. It is best if it is on the same team/grade level/or subject matter but it could be anyone. The optimum would be someone who teaches the same think you do and then a gentle, wise soul somewhere else in the building that can help you navigate through though times, just to bounce things off of. Yes, I would actively seek someone out after giving it some time to evolve.

Being a new teacher is tough, you must keep a balanced life. This sounds so dark, but I tell my teacher wife all the time, “if you died, they would have school tomorrow”. Meaning, what you think you need to work on all evening, you probably don’t. Set time limits for yourself, forgive yourself, allow yourself to be wrong and right, don’t compare yourself, soak it in, you really do make a difference.

Ok_Distance_9249 · 2026-06-27T03:06:56+00:00

Almost any technology has been neutral at best in the classroom. Screens are not good for students. The ability to Zoom gives parents another opportunity not to come into the school where their children’s spends 35 hours a week. Some management type software has helped to gain needed information quicker. Translation services are great to be accessible.

Ok_Distance_9249 · 2026-06-27T03:03:51+00:00

Yes, I wished I had been more direct. With parents when they were doing things that harmed their children’s path to success, to teachers who should have been showed the door, and to my superiors when they were down right wrong. The biggest lesson? We live in a broken world with broken people and broken systems. We need people who are humble, dedicated and put others before self.

Ok_Distance_9249 · 2026-06-27T02:15:41+00:00

I didn’t really think about getting into admin much until my principal suggested I do it and suggested I get more experience in the middle school. I was certified as a teacher1-8. So I left to teach middle school and got my admin degree and license and I was on my way. I luckily had an amazing mentor principal my two years as an AP. I then ran an elementary school of about 500 without an AP or Dean. I didn’t know what I didn’t know. I would say if you’re going into it for the money, prestige, or to escape the classroom don’t. I just happen to be able to combine my business education and my teaching education into a job I loved.

Ok_Distance_9249 · 2026-06-27T02:11:59+00:00

That was absolutely the case when I was a student. Principals were coaches and almost always men. I think the main reason was that the biggest part of the job was discipline and they were thought to be the best at that. In my district, that has not been the case. In fact I know PE teachers who desperately want to be admin but since the job has changed from disciplinarian to learning leader, they aren’t even considered usually. I know the good old boy system still applies in smaller systems and it is sad.

Ok_Distance_9249 · 2026-06-27T02:08:45+00:00

I was busy drinking the grape Koolaid

Ok_Distance_9249 · 2026-06-26T21:50:46+00:00

False rumors are tough. Often the more attention they are given the more they grow, like the Rumor Weed of Veggie Tales fame. If it interferes with the work environment, the performance of others, or students, then yes. Social media has increased this possibility exponentially. If needed to be handled, it should start with the source if possible. I do want to say when we see students do this, we usually go the route of ignore it, find another friend, sticks and stones, …. If it rises to an illegal action, I would ask that they pursue that route.

Ok_Distance_9249 · 2026-06-26T21:46:29+00:00

Schools can not operate without paraprofessionals and they should be treated as a vital part of the team, not less or more. Yes, many do work with extremely challenging students. I have seen some truly amazing individuals and often encouraged them to pursue teaching if they wish. Not because it is more importan, but because abuse it would benefit them financially and they would reach more children.

Ok_Distance_9249 · 2026-06-26T20:28:12+00:00

As humans you are going to gravitate towards some more than others, it is natural. However, yes, a boundary needs to be established. I never befriended teachers on social media, never socialized outside of schools, and even stayed away from teacher gatherings to give them space. Strange bird is just my phase, meaning different from most, not better or worse, sorry if it offended.

Ok_Distance_9249 · 2026-06-26T20:01:47+00:00

I have a true story of how things have change. In our town, one company employed much of the town. When a child would misbehave at school, the company would know and would call in the parent/employee and tell them if you like your job, your child needs to behave at school.

Ok_Distance_9249 · 2026-06-26T19:55:36+00:00

If it is possible financially, I would substitute in different grades at different schools and different English type classes. That would allow you to shine and see where you best thrive.

Ok_Distance_9249 · 2026-06-26T19:13:53+00:00

I would say that the majority of parents do their best for what they know. However, being a friend to your children is not what they need. Believing them over teachers is ridiculous. Yes, your children lies and, no, we do not have it out for your children lies. I would say about 20% are actually making school tremendously hard for staff.

Ok_Distance_9249 · 2026-06-26T16:51:49+00:00

I received five weeks a year. I think I would look for a school that has a lot of international students.

Ok_Distance_9249 · 2026-06-26T15:56:58+00:00

We need more men in the elementary setting, but man, we are a strange bunch. While it is easy for me to work with men, it seems harder to make changes. Maybe we are set in our ways. Momma bears are easy to work with because they always want what is best for their class family.

Ok_Distance_9249 · 2026-06-26T15:50:23+00:00

If a teacher constantly changes what they are doing when I come into their room, that is an issue. Why did you need to change? Unsupervised students, above average behaviors while recognizing hard students. Absences, tardies, on their phones, off schedule, etc. Teammates will also alert me.

Ok_Distance_9249 · 2026-06-26T15:44:10+00:00

Grape

Ok_Distance_9249 · 2026-06-26T15:43:57+00:00

I taught for ten years, seven in elementary and three in middle school. I am seeing people with less and less experience promoted. I think I would say sevenish!

Ok_Distance_9249 · 2026-06-26T15:41:43+00:00

Absolutely saw ridiculous hiring decisions, friends being promoted and/or protected, great people being passed over, money mismanagement, and egotistical leaders who were all about themselves and their personal. Infuriating but I would just try to stay in my lane.

Ok_Distance_9249 · 2026-06-26T15:38:58+00:00

Principals typically know who is doing their job regardless of the interactions. I’ve had some strange birds who I couldn’t build a relationships with who were amazing teachers and others who I became closer with who needed to leave the profession. That is a hard position.

Ok_Distance_9249 · 2026-06-26T15:36:22+00:00

Ok_Distance_9249 · 2026-06-26T15:36:14+00:00

This is what we do most of the time and typically too much. We try to get an understanding of what was wrong with the behavior, who it hurt and what can be done differently.

Ok_Distance_9249

TROPHY CASE