As I began pursuing my first administrative position, many people warned me "be careful what you wish for" and that being a principal was a "thankless job." As many aspiring building leaders know, once you have set your eyes on leading a school, very little can distract you from achieving that goal. However, as many new principals can tell you, once you land your first principalship, you quickly learn that it can be a lonely position and you are oftentimes the last person to be patted on the back for a job well done.
Each year as the holidays approach, I'm reminded of the many things that I should be thankful for as a building leader: support from other administrators, teachers who give their all each day for students, teachers who inspire, the custodians who help create a clean, safe, and healthy environment, the para-educators who oftentimes care for our most challenged students, the recess supervisors who brave the rain, snow, and sleet so students can get fresh air, the parents who fight daily to provide what they can for their children, and the students who are their best each day despite whatever challenges and obstacles they face. Finally, I'm thankful for the reminder that, despite the principalship being a somewhat thankless job, that it's really not about me.
I'm thankful that the "pats on the back" that principals do get come from ensuring a quality teacher in front of each child, improving student achievement, guaranteeing that each child feels a connection with at least one adult, making families feel welcome and a part of their child's education, and helping everyone feel a part of something bigger than themselves.
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