In
my career as a school administrator, I’ve worked as an elementary school
vice-principal, a middle school vice-principal and finally as an elementary
school principal.
my career as a school administrator, I’ve worked as an elementary school
vice-principal, a middle school vice-principal and finally as an elementary
school principal.
Quite a lot for Mimi to process as she
highlights and promotes a number of authors. She thought I worked at the
high-school level. Thank you Mimi for making that correction.
highlights and promotes a number of authors. She thought I worked at the
high-school level. Thank you Mimi for making that correction.
You’re welcome Jodie – when you talked about your “kids” and working with teens, I just took it for granted that you worked at the High School level – must remember to check my facts next time….gulp! One thing I was VERY positive about – the love you had for those teens shone through – just like it does in your wonderful stories.
As
a middle school vice-principal (650 students) Grades 6, 7 and 8, I worked with young
people who were at a most vulnerable stage in their lives. They wanted to grow
up, they wanted independence.
a middle school vice-principal (650 students) Grades 6, 7 and 8, I worked with young
people who were at a most vulnerable stage in their lives. They wanted to grow
up, they wanted independence.
But, most of all, what they wanted was a
listener. Sometimes that was a parent, or a school counselor or a best friend. Sometimes
it was me. I’d walk with a student up and down corridors or around the
perimeter of the grounds. We’d have distance from the ‘vibrations’ sometimes
immersed in a school office setting.
They’d walk and talk. I’d listen. Moving and
being outside seemed to help. Kind of like a walking meditation. Sometimes they
would ask for advice, sometimes they wouldn’t. A lot of the time, they wanted to share
something private, something upsetting, something bothering them.
In my second Young Adult novel Little White Pills the main character
Steph yearns to share a secret but she’s afraid to expose it to the world. I’d
love you to take the journey and discover how Steph comes to grip with her
problems.
As
an elementary school principal I used a degree of creativity to address a
common issue. A teacher complained that one of her students was stealing food
in her classroom during the lunch period.
an elementary school principal I used a degree of creativity to address a
common issue. A teacher complained that one of her students was stealing food
in her classroom during the lunch period.
So, I arranged ‘The Lunch Bunch’ a group of
students who ate with me at a round table in my office, complete with
placemats, napkins, etc. I discretely provided lunches for any hungry students.
This was a special occasion for four or five chosen kids, a combination of
troubled students and students who were sailing through school.
students who ate with me at a round table in my office, complete with
placemats, napkins, etc. I discretely provided lunches for any hungry students.
This was a special occasion for four or five chosen kids, a combination of
troubled students and students who were sailing through school.
Both
groups learned from each other. I learned the most. It was an opportunity for
me to truly listen to my students. I was there for them. No interruptions. My
staff was superb as they understood that during that time I wouldn’t be
available on the school grounds. Everyone
learned to value the ‘Lunch Bunch’. Students wanted to join and become a
member.
I
discovered simply by ‘listening’ by ‘being
there’ I could make a small difference in the lives of my students. In Little White Pills, I hope you will
discover who and what makes the difference for troubled Steph.
Just released Book #2 of the Girlfriend’s Series
Book #1 of the Girlfriend’s Series
p.s. Jodie – I wish I had a teacher like you when I was in those frustrating teenage grades!!
