Annette Sweeney is the Principal at Parkrose Middle School, a National AVID Demonstration Site. She started her educational career teaching at a private school in Corvallis, Oregon before moving to the Portland area and being hired as a health and PE teacher at Parkrose Middle School. Annette was a teacher for 3 years before moving into the role of Dean of Students for a year and then became the Assistant Principal for 6 years. She has always loved working with students and particularly enjoys the diverse student body at Parkrose.

 

Annette shares a little about her background and her family’s long history of being in public education, and the three years she spent in Denmark playing professional basketball (2:01)

How those three years playing basketball in Denmark changed Annette and helped shape her career in education (11:47)

Annette’s career path after coming back from Denmark (14:50)

Making the decision to leave teaching for administration (19:27)

One of the toughest parts of being a school administrator is trying to achieve a good work/life balance (25:00)

Annette’s advice for finding that elusive balance between work and personal life (27:10)

Growth and improvement are never-ending for school leaders (29:25)

Annette says her work with AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) is one of the things she’s most proud of in her admin career (31:20)

Here’s her favorite piece of leadership advice (37:20)

Do you have a willingness to listen and a commitment to the success of every student? (38:03)

Annette’s top book recommendation for school leaders (38:27)

Annette’s advice for school leaders on working with students (41:10)

Her advice for school leaders on working with the teachers in your building (44:26)

 

Books mentioned in this episode

Water The Bamboo: Unleashing The Potential Of Teams And Individuals

 

Connect with Annette Sweeney

Parkrose Middle School

 

 

About EducatorsLead:

Educators Lead is a podcast created to help launch educators into the next level of leadership. This show is for you if you are an assistant principal, principal, superintendent, teacher or someone who hope to be a school leader one day. Educators Lead offers inspiration and practical advice to help you lead more effectively. Jay Willis interviews school leaders 3-days a week to discuss the point these educators made the decision to move into school leadership, challenges along the journey, and stories that made it all worthwhile. Educators Lead is a great resource for any educator looking to make a greater impact.

Educate. Inspire. Lead.

www.educatorslead.com