JoAnn Chmielowicz (SHA-MELL-O-ITZ) is an elementary school principal in East Brunswick, NJ. She comes to school leadership through a non-traditional route via school libraries. She has a background in research and technology which gives her a unique perspective on school leadership. JoAnn considers herself a lifelong learner and in her first year in school administration she is putting that skill to work!

 

JoAnn talks about her 25 years in education, her family, and her background, including being a Congressional researcher (1:44)

How and why JoAnn decided to go into education (5:00)

Battling stereotypes as a new school administrator with a non-traditional background (6:45)

Don’t just look for a job in school leadership – look for the right job, one where you can have a big impact, and make a difference every day, because of who you are (11:00)

Some ways of knowing that the job is a good fit for you before accepting it (15:00)

Advice for teachers who are moving into administration mid-year (18:40)

JoAnn’s  biggest paradigm shift after moving from teaching into admin (22:13)

Some things JoAnn does to keep her connection to students as a school administrator (25:30)

The two words that are the best leadership advice JoAnn ever got: Be nice (27:00)

The importance of having a sense of humor for school leaders (27:43)

JoAnn’s top two book recommendations for Edu-Leaders (28:27)

JoAnn’s advice for school administrators for working with your students (29:18)

Her advice for school administrators for working with your teachers (30:00)

JoAnn’s favorite leadership quote is in Latin: Docendo discimus (By teaching, we learn) (30:44)

If JoAnn had a time machine, here’s the advice she would go back and give her younger self when she was just starting out in administration (31:35)

 

Books mentioned in this episode

Lead, Follow, or Get Out of the Way: How to Be a More Effective Leader in Today’s Schools by Robert D. Ramsey

Teach, Reflect, Learn: Building Your Capacity for Success in the Classroom by Pete Hall and Alisa Simeral

 

Connect with JoAnn Chmielowicz

@IrwinElementary

 

 

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 interested in educational leadership as an assistant principal, principal, superintendent, teacher or someone who hopes 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 three days a week to discuss why and when 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