Superintendent: Year 1 (You Were Made For This! Prioritize your Priorities)

Over the last few months I have had the humbling opportunity to share my story. I have sat with teachers who aspire to be Superintendents and those who aspire to lead but are uncertain which role of leadership they aspire to. I have been honored to sit on panels to share my journey to the role of superintendent, as well as panels sharing the needs higher education entities need to consider when preparing leaders for roles in public education. I believe I have been blessed. 

One thing you will learn about me, if you don’t know already, is I share my truth. I share the good, the bad, and the ugly. I sometimes think people want to hear how glamorous our roles are as superintendents but it is not. Don’t get me wrong. I LOVE LOVE LOVE what I get to do daily! However, I need to be transparent and say this work is hard and sometimes it can be lonely if you’re not intentional. There is daily pressure to make sure every T is crossed and every I is dotted. It’s just the nature of the work and I believe it can be done. I believe I’m doing it. Am I perfect? NO! I never committed to be not will I ever; however, I commit and continue to give all I have for our students, staff, parents and community. That’s literally all one can do. 

So, with the hustle and bustle of the role one may wonder…If I want to change the world (my goal) through education; how do I do it and keep my peace and sanity? It’s kind of easy… Don’t take anything personal! Period! I have been in education for almost 20 years and I have recently learned this in the last three or four years. Sad but true. I’ve learned it’s not about me and I have to keep my focus on the main thing - students. This realization has come over time as I have matured in my previous roles and current role. When people speak, good or bad, of your district, team, or even you, always remember it is not about you. For me I keep myself grounded by telling myself that when there are comments, criticisms or complaints. I also take the heat and absorb it to protect my team or district. Simply put. When there are affirmations and praises coming forward give the credit back to the people. And when people have complaints or someone is hurt or misunderstood I take it and deal with it. I own the bad and give away the good. This has worked for me over the years. Now, are there private conversations when needed, absolutely; but, praise your people publicly and provide direction privately. 

Priorities!

This is one thing that has truly assisted me in my leadership journey, especially as a first year superintendent. I keep my priorities in alignment and I try my best to model them for my team and those I serve. When I interviewed I shared who I was and I how I lead professionally and personally. My faith, family, health and career has to be prioritized in this manner for me and our organization to be successful. (Fact: When you interview be your attentive self. Boards want to hire and work with the person they interviewed with and met.  They do not want to interview someone and hire a different person). 

Faith - Simply put my faith is how I live my life. I share that, not to say what or how I believe. I share it to say I know I cannot do this work in and of myself. My faith is the foundation to who I am and how I lead. My faith is important to me and it was important that my board knew that about me. 

Family - They come first. That has not always been the case and I have had to apologize to my family for not keeping them first. It is essential that my board and my staff know that I put my family first and they should also. Family is everything and even after I am “older” they will be there for me. They also happen to love me unconditionally and will be and have been with me for every portion of my career. 

Health - Along with taking care of everyone else or encouraging others to take care of themselves I must take care of my temple. This has not always been the case. I have been all types of sizes (and shapes). However, I did not come to this realization of taking care of my body until there were issues with one of my immediate family members that got my undivided attention. So for me my health includes exercising, eating better, drinking water and getting restful sleep (ok. As much as possible). 

Career - Although this is fourth on my list it does not mean my career is not important. It truly means that if I am going to lead my staff and serve them, our students, families and community, the first three have to be in order. When these are not in order there is the opportunity for me to feel overwhelmed and ineffective. I have learned me. I have learned that when I do prioritize and live in this manner I feel like I can complete and conquer anything. 

This month I shared my Second Sunday with Spicer and I stepped out (way out for me) of my comfort zone by telling the staff of a recent time I was “…not ok”. I shared that I had some great opportunities to speak and pour into others but I was not refueling. I was not consistently working out, I wasn’t reading my devotion and my eating was not as clean (or consistent) as I usually am. I could feel in my body and mind that things were not ‘ok’. I had to get back to my routine and ensure I put everything into perspective and priority. 

I have realized (later in my career) that I must be intentional in my priorities. This has been a life changer for me. I find balance, peace and comfort when I’m aligned. When things are out of whack, I feel it. I never want my lack of prioritizing to come out negatively in my leadership or in my character. 

My thoughts for you to ponder, whether you have been in education for one year or fifty years, make sure you know your priorities and they line up with your values. Be intentional and consistent now. It will change the way you lead and serve. I promise! 

You WERE made for this…you just have to PRIORITIZE and never forget your PURPOSE! 

#InspireExcellence