In-Box 3

In-Box Activity 3

The New Vice Principal

Situation:   You are the principal of High Flyer School.  Recently, a new vice-principal, Emily Jones, has been assigned to you.  You and your school community did not have the opportunity to interview candidates for the position.  The assistant superintendent tells you that Ms. Jones is an up-and-coming school administrator that was hired away from another district.  She was placed at your school to gain experience.   Her previous position was as a human resource manager at a neighboring district.  Prior to that one- year stint at the central office, Ms. Jones was a fourth grade teacher for two years.   The assistant supt. says (with great confidence) that she would not be surprised if Ms. Jones becomes a principal in a year or two.  Your task is to mentor Ms. Jones and allow her the experience she needs to be a principal.

Ms. Jones is very bright and energetic.  She is well-versed in curricular and instructional initiatives. However, her personality tends to be abrupt.  She has been on your administrative team for one month and there are already grumblings among the staff.  Today clerical staff members came to you because Ms. Jones insists that all personal items must be removed from desks so as to not present an unprofessional environment to parents and other visitors.  One clerk was almost in tears as she reported that Ms. Jones strongly criticized her work as two students stood within ear-shot.  Teachers have complained to you because they are uncomfortable with what they believe to be “nit-picking” in Ms. Jones’ reports from her classroom observations.  These reports are e-mailed to the teachers with no offers to discuss the observation   You have an e-mail from a parent requesting a meeting with you because he is not happy with the way Ms. Jones handled a conference with him.   Additionally, Ms. Jones’s manner with students is aloof and stern.

You have been principal at High Flyer for two years.  When you took over, the school seemed to be suffering from neglect.  The student achievement levels were falling, staff morale was low, and parents were not active in the school.  You believe that after two years of hard work by everyone, the school has pivoted into a more positive direction.  Teaching strategies are energized, student achievement is on the rise, teachers now work in teams, and parents are again volunteering.  Based on comments from kids, staff and parents, the general environment is much more positive.    You realize that there is still much hard work to do.  Ms. Jones has many good ideas but you do not want to jeopardize the foundation everyone has worked so hard to establish.

Next week, the assistant supt. will visit to meet with you and Ms. Jones to talk about her progress as a site administrator.  You have a strong sense that the assistant supt. expects a glowing report.   

Issue:   What steps will you take to assure that High Flyer remains on course to provide a positive and effective learning environment for all kids while ensuring that Ms. Jones uses her talents to assist the school.?  Are there short-term actions  as well as long-term actions that you will take?  What can you do to make Ms. Jones the vice-principal that High Flyer needs?  What must Ms. Jones do to meet your standards for a site administrator?  What do you tell the Assistant Superintendent?   Is your plan risky?  If so, what do you risk and why is your plan worth the risk?