How much support should
we expect from our administrators? I find myself being offended at the lack of
response from my principal. I requested
an interview from her twice for my story for the online publication and never
heard from her. I know she received the
e-mails because I checked the delivery report.
So it made me
wonder, what kind of cooperation do you receive from your admin? How much does he/she support you?
As a newish
teacher, I’ve only had one principal, so I’ve nothing to which I can compare
her. But I’ve always thought of her as a
good administrator. She is always
available to meet with, she is fair, and she is understanding. But I am troubled about the lack of respect
she is displaying in my quest for answers regarding journalism.
Only this evening I
found out why the former adviser abandoned the program and it is due to a lack
of support by the principal. While I am
looking forward to teaching journalism, I have serious misgivings about my
relationship with my principal.
What kind of
support to do you have? What is your relationship like with your principal?
Becca Hargis
Campbell High School
Smyrna, GA
I am very fortunate in my school. My principal was wholeheartedly on board when I proposed to bring my journalism class to our course offerings this fall. It was even his idea to combine the class with broadcast, using my next-door (school) neighbor as a co-adviser. He got the course approved by the school board without a hitch, and he even managed to somehow find some money for us to purchase a few Macs, cameras, InDesign, and Final Cut. He also made sure that we would be able to still have the class this fall, even though only five kids initially signed up. He said he was so sure that our class would generate enough interest after one semester that we wouldn't even need to recruit kids for second semester. I am one lucky journalism adviser.
ReplyDeleteLisa Biber
Brodhead High School
Brodhead, Wis.
I had an ok experience with my last principal who just retired. She was pretty hands off and allowed me to start to rebuild my program. There were a couple of situations where I felt she could have been a little more supportive, but other than that it was an alright situation. Now I hope I have a good relationship with the new one.
ReplyDeleteDivona Phillips
Irving High School
Irving, TX
The only principal I have ever worked with just retired, and was less than supportive this year. The only time she spoke to me was to criticize. At the beginning of the year, I went to the office and asked any and everyone to give me some guidelines because I wanted to make sure I was doing everything as they expected. I was repeatedly told, "It's your baby, you make the decisions."
ReplyDeleteI even asked them before signing the yearbook contract if anyone needed to review it, but no one was concerned. Then when they realized the staff had voted to have a summer delivery book, all hell broke loose. I was repeatedly told, "I should have asked." Despite my argument that I had requested admin's input and guidance, I was the one at fault.
My new principal used to be the journalism teacher and is the one who recommended this opportunity. He correctly advised me that it would be life changing.
My suggestion is to write an newspaper article about the impact of a journalism program in high school on it's staff. List all of those incredible statistics about how the students excel in their futures. Maybe it would make a difference.
Much luck!
Jillian Singletary
Harding Fine Arts Academy
OKC, OK
I have experienced several principals throughout my 30 years of teaching. The principal that has impacted me the most is the one I have now. He is a man of his word. He doesn't just say all children have the right to learn, he lives and breathes that idea. He tells students to demand their education and hold teachers accountable. I learn something new from him every day.
ReplyDeleteWhen I told him what students wanted next year and that I was interested in providing them with it, he found every journalism workshop and training he could to send me to before the school year was up. I'm grateful for his vision and experience. I have worked with principals who never left their office or cared about what was best for children.
Becca,
ReplyDeleteIf your general impression is that she is available, fair, and understanding, I wouldn't let one snub change your view entirely.
David Strom
North-Grand High School
Chicago, Illinois
I have been fortunate that I have a good relationship with my administrators. I have a new principal this year from the previous two, but they both seem to respect me, and therefore, they trust me. That said, because of a sticky situation my first semester teaching, I have had to work hard to build trust with them toward me. But I feel that rocky patch has passed, and they now trust my judgement.
ReplyDeleteI think I would have to echo David's caution and give her a fair chance during the school year even though she has been disregarding your emails. If you start out the school year being skeptical or bitter, it may go badly for you all year long, especially if she picks up on your perceptions of her.
Sharon Northington
McCracken County High School
Paducah, Kentucky
I have a new principal whose first day was this week while I am here in Phoenix. I feel like this institute has armed me with the data and practical knowledge I need to take back for our first meeting. I hope to start off on the right foot and have his support. Something from Callahan's talk that I feel will help me: "It's a live civic lesson, a great English lesson, a social studies lesson and uses multi-media." How can a new principal argue with that, right?
ReplyDeleteAngela Hobart
Starkville High School