What was quite revealing during my masters program is the huge disconnect between what the academic world sees as necessary for good leadership and the principals who are “in the trenches”. Many assistant principals are really judged as being good if they are good “guard dogs.” If that is the standard, then many of the people who agree with the principal as transformational leaders, don’t get hired in the AP position to gain experience!

Finally, given how hard it is, both emotionally, financially, etc. it is hard to find people with the skills, abilities, and commitment needed. I loved my masters at helping me better understand all the educational nuances, but I didn’t want to become an administrator because I have two children and a busy husband. At our HS level, administrators are expected to do tons of after school activities. We in education expect our educators to sacrifice their own children for the sake of others!

Our district’s issues stem from the fact that everyone is fighting to get out of the classroom and become a specialist, a counselor, or something, just to get away from the actual business of teaching.

I don’t blame them, but if I were to go back for a Master’s, it sure as hell wouldn’t have anything to do with the education industry…

It seems like just when we finally find a very, very, tiny toehold and start to make some progress, the administration (district and school level) changes. We are already battling a war on the classroom front, and then when administrative changes occur, it seems like we have to move some of the war effort to that admin. front as well. It saps time, energy, and spirit.