August 2017 Administrator Newsletter

* What is your favorite thing about your job? “I love so many things about my job, but greeting the
students in the morning has to be one of my favorites. I get hugs and I get to hear the things they are excited
about. It also gives them the opportunity to let me know if their day hasn’t started off well and what I can do
to help turn it around.”
* What is the most challenging part of your job? “Sometimes our students have some pretty sad situations
going on at home. It is hard not being able to do more for them. It is a challenge to make them feel safe at
school and get them to a place where they are ready to learn.”
* What would you tell someone who was thinking about a similar career? “I would tell them to ‘Go for
it!’ I have been in education for 30 years. I still get up every morning and look forward to the day. I would
remind them it is not an easy job, but if their heart is in it, they can make a difference every day in the lives of
many children. This career has been a blessing to me.”
* What is the best advice you have ever received? “When I was just beginning my job as the principal, my
previous principal, Rick Nance told me I would not make everyone happy and that I shouldn’t make decisions
to please people. I should base my decisions on what I believed to be the best for our school and the students.
If I did that, then when people get upset, I could look myself in the mirror and be okay with people being
upset with me because I made a decision based on what was best and not just what people wanted.”
* What major changes have you seen in education during your career? “One of the biggest changes has
to be the use of technology integrated into the classrooms, not just being used by the teachers, but by the
students. Another major change is the shift from teaching content to teaching students. Although the shift to
student–centered, personalized learning can be difficult, I believe the pay-off will be worth it.”
* What’s something that amazes you? “As in any work place, people suffer loss or deal with challenging
situations. The staff in our district may not know each other well, and we sure don’t see each other very often,
but, when needed, they come together and offer support in ways that amaze me.”
* What have you done that you are most proud of? “One accomplishment at Bergman Elementary that
makes me especially proud is our outstanding system of support through RTI. My staff has worked diligently
to create effective tiers of support from intervention to enrichment. Our system has garnered some attention
as we have presented our plan at the state conference, and schools have even made site visits to try to
replicate something similar.”
Special thanks to you, Debbie Atkinson, for allowing us to
recognize your success as an administrator and for the
information you shared that can inspire others in the same field!
-AAEA
7 AAEA Administrator August 2017