Principles Penny mentioned from The Formative Five by Thomas Herr:
*Empathy: learning to see the world through others’ perspectives.
*Self – control: cultivating the abilities to focus and delay self – gratification.
*Integrity: recognizing right from wong and practicing ethical behavior
*Embracing diversity: Recognizing and appreciating human differences
*Grit: Persevering in the face of challenge.
A people person, Penny and her husband love the outdoors and especially hiking, and she had originally planned on a career in medicine before falling in love with teaching (2:00)
Penny’s early days in teaching, after switching her major from pre-med to education (3:30)
Making the move from teaching to guidance counseling (7:30)
Moving from guidance counselor to school administrator (9:00)
Penny explains her views of what a great school administrator does (10:00)
Penny explains how her experience in the mental health field makes her a better admin (12:22)
Penny’s tips for reaching students who have given up on themselves (13:40)
How teachers can learn to help students who simply don’t care (15:00)
Becoming a guidance counselor piqued Penny’s interest in administration (16:32)
Some of the unique challenges of becoming an administrator in the same building where you’ve been teaching, and Penny’s tips for dealing with the challenges and maintaining relationships with colleagues (18:30)
Be patient with yourself as a new admin; it takes about three years to feel comfortable (25:00)
Positive feedback from successful former students will be some of your best moments (28:00)
Your colleagues can help you make it through bad times in your personal life (32:50)
Three ideas to help you stay inspired and avoid burnout (34:00)
Don’t worry about what you can’t control, and then focus on what you’re best at(35:50)
Penny lists several book recommendations for school leaders (37:48)
See your students as people, give them credence, and be optimistic about their future (40:24)
The best way to approach teachers when there’s a problem (40:49)
If Penny 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 (42:48)
Books mentioned in this episode
Hacking Engagement: 50 Tips & Tools To Engage Teachers and Learners Daily by James Alan Sturtevant
You’ve Gotta Connect by James Alan Sturtevant
Your School Rocks: Passionately Pitch and Promote the Positives Happening on Your Campus by Ryan McLane and Eric Lowe
Leaders Eat Last: Why Some Teams Pull Together and Others Don’t by Simon Sinek
Developing the Leaders Around You: How to Help Others Reach Their Full Potential by John C. Maxwell
The 360 Degree Leader: Developing Your Influence from Anywhere in the Organization by John C. Maxwell
Professional Learning Communities at Work: Best Practices for Enhancing Student Achievement by Richard Dufour and Robert E. Eaker
Connect with Penny Sturtevant
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 weekly 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.
