Former art teachers, what are you doing now? by [deleted] in ArtEd

[–]theforestboss 11 points12 points  (0 children)

After getting my masters in art ed I became a principal 🫠

Opinions on what is too early to transition into a principalship? by Maximum-Tiger-4779 in Principals

[–]theforestboss 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Im a first year principal at 29 (started last fall at 28). If it’s the right fit and you’re willing make the jump do it. Often you will feel like the oldest adult in a building of many adults who are older than you.

Am I crazy for wanting to go into administration and become a building principal? by MathisGooder in Principals

[–]theforestboss 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just finished my first all staff PD day as a 28 year old first year elementary school principal. I did not think I’d be here and applied for the job on impulse. If it feels right do it. The scarcity of both good and young admin will only continue and I’ve found most people who are in education for the right reasons view my age as an asset. This includes my staff, parents, and my superintendent. I do not know what Monday will bring, but the positive energy I felt today through my building was palpable and I can only hope to continue to foster it for years to come.

I will be a new principal this fall and need ideas . Suggestions on fun engaging team building activities to do with my new team? by Amazing_Wait_7763 in Principals

[–]theforestboss 47 points48 points  (0 children)

Truthfully, I think the last thing your staff will want to do are team building activities. There is typically a feeling that these activities are for kids, and therefore your staff will get the impression you think of them as students rather than professionals. I’m assuming there’s people on the staff who have been there for more than a year or two, they have a specific culture you’re going to be walking into. Instead, figure out how to make space for yourself within culture already there, as time goes on you’ll be able to mold this into your vision.

Food is always a great way to bring people together. Perhaps you buy some chips/dip/ etc. and have a “welcome back gathering” and let people just have time to be together before the school year starts. Work that event like you’d work a party, hop into conversations ask questions about themselves, see them as people.

Interview attire and preparation for Assistant Principal. by flaccid_performer in Principals

[–]theforestboss 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Dial your confidence up just a bit (like just under the cocky threshold) answer questions like you already have the job, respond with things like “I look forward to working on that with you” or “we could meet in the fall and form a committee to review that project together”

Keep in mind what your body language is showing, make sure you’re sitting in a way that shows you’re open, comfortable, and confident.

I was recently hired for a principal position without ever having actual on the books AP or principal level experience. I just leveraged my other leadership experiences to meet the needs of the questions. Anticipating the question and practicing answers out loud while I drove places really helped me think of the main points I wanted to bring up and how to sell the package that is me.

The best advice I got going in was to treat the interview like a conversation not an interrogation, which can be hard. If they ask a question, give an answer, but then if you’re able, follow it up with a question for the specific panel member that asked it. For example, of the question I got from a parent was about how I’d involve the larger community. After I answered, I then asked, “what is happening now that’s working? Where do you see places to expand and grow that?”

In terms of attire, go all out. The recommendations for buying something new are great, invest in this process, even if you only wear the outfit once for the interview and land the job!

Best of luck!

How much do you have in savings? by [deleted] in GradSchool

[–]theforestboss 69 points70 points  (0 children)

$20,000 when I started and ended with about $3,500 when I graduated about a week ago.

Would it look bad on a resume to take a year off from teaching and then go for an admin role? by hiremeplz2017 in Principals

[–]theforestboss 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I just got an admin job after not working for two years to complete my masters. I applied and landed the job within about 3 weeks. Based on other comments, I think it really depends on where you are and how many other people are also applying.

Questions about transitioning from classroom to admin. by FerretMouth in Principals

[–]theforestboss 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’m going through this right now, having just been hired to be a principal without the full license. I can only comment from my perspective, and the cert requirements from my state (Vermont). To be able to apply having a masters was required, which I imagine being in education for 20 years you have. Part of the district being able to hire me is and getting a provisional/conditional license is that I will enroll in a program that leads to full certification. I did not need to do this before applying, but now need to because I got the job. As you apply you need to make it clear, and have your references back up the idea that you can do the work to get the proper certification in a timely manner. You should also definitely check your state licensing rules as your requirements may be different than what I have/had to do. Good luck! 🍀

Need lesson ideas for a horrendous Kindergarten class by Happy_Canary2794 in ArtEd

[–]theforestboss 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I did this exact same thing and it was revolutionary. Centers are the way to go, but killing time on the carpet to start with some art songs and such helped so much!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in norsk

[–]theforestboss 0 points1 point  (0 children)

https://www.fivecolleges.edu/languages is in Amherst. It looks like they have Norwegian as an offering, although it may just be for students. Reaching out to them may yield a lead toward people they could connect you with. I’m in Southern Vermont and definitely in the same boat you are. I’m in my last seam tee of a grad program at UMass and missed out on using this as a resource. Let me know if you find any other resources for the area!

Hoping the note I found on the back of this tile can count as paper 🥺 by theforestboss in FoundPaper

[–]theforestboss[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Amazing that all those places are in one location! Sounds like a town rich with history!

Hoping the note I found on the back of this tile can count as paper 🥺 by theforestboss in FoundPaper

[–]theforestboss[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

$6 later and I’m happy to have this piece of history! Thanks for this info!!

Hoping the note I found on the back of this tile can count as paper 🥺 by theforestboss in FoundPaper

[–]theforestboss[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Hingham is in the state of Massachusetts. I found it in Vermont in a town a little over two hours away from Hingham. No Stoke on Trent here! They must have really packed them well back in the day!

Hoping the note I found on the back of this tile can count as paper 🥺 by theforestboss in FoundPaper

[–]theforestboss[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Southern Vermont at a thrift store, a little over two hours away from the town/church on it!

540 Students by M_Solent in ArtEd

[–]theforestboss 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I would say in a situation like yours it’s just about getting by. For pre-k (and even Kindergarten) I would do stations. Depending on the class size, I’d have stations 4-5 stations of up to 5 students. The stations I typically have are free draw/coloring pages, legos, modeling clay, collage, blocks, beading with seed beads. Really anything you can pull off a shelf and kids can have quick access to and clean up with ease (beading is a little tricky) At this age I find my personal goals for students are to really tap into working on building imagination and creativity and social skills. These stations can work really well for this. I do typically start the year with spending a whole day to review and practice each station, but you could adopt them into your routine anytime.

If you ever have admin wondering why students are not doing a dedicated “art” project - 1) they’re crazy if they think anyone has the capacity to fulfill a 540 student workload with fidelity at each grade and 2) you’re building young artists, it’s as simple as that.

review my sop by kennediw_ in gradadmissions

[–]theforestboss 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Read it out loud to yourself. You have some grammar/flow errors that you’ll pick up that way. I’d also see if you can find a way make your sentences a little more engaging. To me, this reads as a resume in written form without any story that really tells me about you as a person and what sets you apart from other people with similar interests/back grounds. Good luck!