School Administrator: June 2021

Self-Care and Wellness
 



Thought Leadership Series: A Conversation With Joy Harjo
Our Thought Leadership Series features an interview between Joy Harjo, U.S. poet laureate, and Maria Ott, a former superintendent in Southern California.

Soul Care for the Superintendency
BY PAUL W. IMHOFF
A three-part plan by AASA’s incoming president for attending to personal needs during an unprecedented year for school system leaders.

    Daily Affirmations for Personal Stress Reduction
    Four superintendents on their favorite routines for attending to their self-care.

    • Jonathan Cooper: Bookending with exercise
    • Nancy Wagner: Unwinding with daily reading
    • Guidel Crossthwaite: Dusting off old baking skills
    • Jeffrey Thake: Expression through musical notes

    Permission to Feel
    BY MARC A. BRACKETT
    For education leaders, building resilience in troubled times begins with applying emotional intelligence.

    ‘I Was Weary and Knew I Needed Something’
    BY TERRY M. METZGER
    Candor by a superintendent in California on how she made use of a coach for supporting her mental health.

    When Schools Reopen
    BY CORY D. NOTESTINE
    Drawing on discoveries over the pandemic year, what can school districts do better in supporting students?


    STARTING POINT
    We started 2020-21 with attention to the uncertainty and end it with a focus on self-care for leaders under pressure.
     
    STATE OF THE SUPERINTENDENCY
    Vacation Day Use
    How many days of annual leave does the typical superintendent take and get to carry over?
     
    BEST OF THE BLOGS
    Four short excerpts from thought-provoking blog posts by AASA members.
    ETHICAL EDUCATOR
    Intercepted Communication
    After inadvertently hearing a voice message from a search firm intended for a prized staffer, is it OK for the superintendent to broach the subject with her?
           
    LEGAL BRIEF
    Cautionary Responses to Social Media Attacks
    BY V. WAYNE YOUNG
    When you’re called an idiot or much worse, the best line of defense usually is to ignore, though a few other options do exist.
      
    BOARD-SAVVY SUPERINTENDENT
    Cultivating Well-Informed Board Candidates
    BY JIM LLOYD
    Building a deep bench for the inevitable vacancies that arise on a school board.
      
    SOCIAL MEDIA
    Educationally Speaking About Podcasts
    BY WANDA COOK-ROBINSON
    Monthly installments allow us to dive deeply into important district issues in a budget-friendly way.
     

    MY VIEW
    Compromising on Your Absolutes
    BY ROARK HORN
    What you think you’ll always do in a situation may not be what you are able to do as an education leader.

    MY VIEW
    Just Call Me ‘Doctor’
    BY JENNA MANCINI RUFO
    According rightful respect for women professionals who’ve earned it.

    MY VIEW
    A Pitch for Mental Health Days for Students
    BY NINA S. BREISTER
    A recent high school graduate on granting time off for wellness.

    Reading & Resources

    • Book Reviews
    • Abstract
    • Bits & Pieces

     

      

    PRESIDENT’S CORNER
    Nurturing a School District’s Wellness
    BY KRISTI WILSON
    Effectively managing stress and supporting district employees’ well-being.
     
    EXECUTIVE PERSPECTIVE
    Redoubling Attention to Staff and Student Needs
    BY DANIEL A. DOMENECH
    Mitigating the social and emotional implications of a yearlong pandemic.

    An expanded compilation of career moves by AASA members points to plenty of retirements.

    PROFILE    : Christy Perry
         BY JACQUELINE HYMAN
    A National Superintendent of the Year finalist puts her student-centered decisions on display.

     


    READER REPLY