BOUNCING BACK BETTER LESSONS LEARNED AND CHALLENGES AHEAD REFLECTING, RECONNECTING, AND MOVING FORWARD - SAANYS
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SPRING
2021
Exploring
Educational
Leadership
BOUNCING
BACK
BETTER
LESSONS LEARNED AND
CHALLENGES AHEAD
REFLECTING,
RECONNECTING, AND
MOVING FORWARD
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Contents
Bouncing Back:
Lessons Learned | 5
COVERSTORY SPRING
2021
and Challenges Ahead from practitioners
by Kim M. Smithgall
This magazine is published
three times a year by the
School Administrators Association
of New York State
8 Airport Park Boulevard
Latham, NY 12110
(518) 782-0600
Reflecting, Reconnecting, | 11 Fax: (518) 782-9552
and Moving Forward
by Pat Fontana Managing Editor
Michelle B. Hebert | SAANYS
Editorial Board
Karen Bronson | SAANYS
Peter DeWitt | Educator, Author
from practitioners Leading with Love | 31
in the Logistics
Jennifer Drautz | Voorheesville
SPRING
2021 by Tara K. Grieb Paul M. Fanuele | Spackenkill
Cindy Gallagher | SAANYS
Reimagining RTI | 35 Scott McDonald | Cobleskill-Richmondville
Building Back Better | 17 During Covid-19 Lisa Meade | Granville
by Michelle Mastrande by Gina DiTullio, EdD
Donald Nickson | SAANYS
Plainedge Addresses |21 A Year Later… | 39
Mental Health During Covid Building a Brighter Future Layout & Design
and Beyond by Laurie Guyon Sharon Caruso | Graphic Designer
by Bridget Murphy and
Nicole Duffy Positivity in Action for Remote | 43 The statements of fact and opinion made
Social Emotional Learning herein do not necessarily imply or reflect
Implementing Positive | 25 by John Trotta
Change During Covid the opinion or philosophy of the
by Gretchen E. Rosales Leading Through Risk: | 47 School Administrators Association
The New Normal of New York State.
Reigniting the Spark of | 29 by Brian Rhode and
Awesome School Projects Kristen C. Wilcox Address any correspondence to:
by David R. Ashdown VANGUARD/PRACTICES
Integrating Workforce | 51 8 Airport Park Boulevard, Latham, NY 12110
with Hands-on Teaching
by Lisa Meade, Terry Wheeler, Advertising does not imply endorsement of
Kait Warren, and Kathy Juckett
the products contained in this publication.
COLUMNS At Pavilion School…| 55
“Failure Is Not an Option”
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Debbie Taylor | Director of Corporate Svcs.
Betty A. Rosa| 3 by Charles Martelle
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New York State
Commissioner of Education Addressing Trauma in School: | 57
A Leadership Path
FYI | 16 by Susanna Hobrath
Trade Talk | 60
www.saanys.org
A message from
Betty A. Rosa
New York State Commissioner of Education
The Connections That Hold Us Together
It is entirely appropriate that this issue of Van- nerable students — those with the greatest needs — have
guard is dedicated to the theme of bouncing back also suffered disproportionately during the pandemic.
better. Because bouncing back better isn’t merely a The sudden shift from in-person to remote learn-
political slogan, but rather a timely call to action. ing has been particularly troubling and problemat-
The vaccines have arrived, and the longer days and ic. Far too many students in poverty, already at a dis-
warmth that come with spring are just around the corner. advantage from attending under-resourced schools,
After a long, dark winter, we are all longing for the sense of have had little or no access to the devices and internet
renewal that comes with this welcome change of seasons. connections they need to participate in virtual classes.
In a year like no other, we have all witnessed tre- Students who attend poorly funded schools, how-
mendous acts of heroism, compassion, and profes- ever, are not the only ones suffering from a lack of con-
sionalism. Parents, teachers, and the entire education nectivity. Schools are incredibly fertile ground for de-
community have worked so incredibly hard to provide veloping and nurturing human connections. It is where
New York’s students with the best education possible children make friends and learn to interact with one
in the face of extraordinary, unprecedented challenges. another. So, with the sudden shift to remote and hy-
It is truly awe-inspiring to witness the work you and brid instruction, many students lost their social con-
your colleagues do every day to ensure our students re- nections. Some have become isolated and withdrawn.
ceive the instructional and support services they need. But I believe in my core that much better
It all starts at the top, with you, our school leader. You days are just around the corner. As educators, we
set the tone. You make the hard choices. You model the work will take the lessons learned from this past year,
ethic that your staff sees and emulates. But you can’t do it and we will build back better for our students.
alone. No one can. We owe a tremendous debt of gratitude The state education department is holding a series
to our local boards of education, our district administra- of digital equity summits (http://www.nysed.gov/dig-
tors, classroom teachers, counselors, psychologists, social ital-equity-summits) with the singular goal of ensur-
workers, bus drivers, maintenance staff, clerical work- ing digital equity for all students. We will concentrate
ers, support staff, and, of course, parents and families. on making up for the learning losses experienced this
Together, you make certain that our students receive year by our students. We will become equity warriors,
not only academic instruction, but tech support, coun- working to create school settings that are diverse, eq-
seling, social and emotional support, healthy meals, and uitable, and inclusive. And we will focus on the needs
so much more. It has been nothing short of inspirational of the whole child — making certain to always consid-
to see how much has been accomplished this past year. er not only how students are performing academically,
But the pandemic has also exposed and exacerbated but also how they are doing physically and emotionally.
inequities that exist throughout every facet of society. Peo- Whether the connections are digital or human, we
ple of color, the poor, and women (especially the single will make those bonds stronger and more accessible for
head of a household) have been impacted hardest of all. all. The sun is warming the ground. The soil is fertile. It
It should therefore come as no surprise that our most vul- is time to return to our gardens, roll up our sleeves, and
continue our work.
3 www.saanys.org
CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE
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Internal Problem Solving
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VANGUARDCOVERSTORY
BOUNCING BACK…
Lessons Learned and
Challenges Ahead
“There was no dress rehearsal. So people learned on the fly.”
By Kim M. Smithgall Those sentiments from Port Jervis High School principal Andrew Marotta
perfectly describe the first several weeks and months of the Covid-19
pandemic.
And, though more than a year has passed since the pandemic started,
school leaders are still quick to acknowledge the boundless energy and
effort put forth by faculty and staff to ensure students’ needs are met. A
sense of awe still lingers…and rightly so.
5 www.saanys.org
VANGUARDCOVERSTORY
In some cases, Shenendehowa
EAT, TEACH, LEARN teachers are completely virtual, Work with teachers to
while students are in the brick
“Everyone had to pivot and
and mortar classrooms. Those
incorporate voice, choice,
adapt — from the leadership to the
custodians. Our cafeteria pivoted from
students still need an adult in the path, pace, and place to make
room — in this case, a monitor.
serving meals in-person to using our
“The monitors learned how
digital learning relevant.
buses to deliver meals to students’
to set up the new technology and
homes. Our teachers abruptly changed taking advantage of opportunities to
help the kids while the teacher
from standing in front of 20 or 25 kids be more self-directed in their learning.
teaches remotely,” Lennon-McMahan
in a traditional classroom to teaching “I have some teachers who started that
continued. “They’re amazing; they
virtually. They learned very quickly,” process by thinking outside the box
completely altered and rewrote their
Marotta said. “I’m proud of the work and coming up with creative ideas on
job descriptions — and they made
that was done in Port Jervis to make all how to engage the students with activ-
themselves invaluable.”
of those adjustments.” ities that they can do at home,” Huff-
The progress since those first
Scott Comis, principal of Brooklyn man said.
few months of the pandemic is also
Avenue Elementary School (Valley This included assembling kits of
noteworthy. “Educators are able to
Stream School District 24), echoed the instructional materials for students to
see that they can engage students in
comments. “We were venturing into use at home or giving open-ended as-
ways they have never done in the past.
a swimming pool that we’ve never signments.
They’re assigning students to break-
been in — educating children in their “One teacher gave an assign-
out rooms to work collaboratively
homes. In essence, at the start of the ment that involved taking photos of
on projects and then can check in on
pandemic, the teachers were in the something that represented the con-
everyone’s progress,” Leonardatos
children’s homes and vice versa. For cepts they were learning in class. The
observed. “It was a learning curve,
many staff members, their kitchens students’ pictures from around their
but I think for the first time, we are
turned into classrooms and they faced house and their neighborhoods were
actually using technology the way it is
the challenge of learning how to deliver amazing,” Huffman said, adding that
supposed to be used.”
instruction completely digitally,” local elementary-age students were
Comis concurred, saying, “Teach-
Comis said. “I was so impressed with just as inventive.
ers’ use of technology has been elevat-
the staff. It was so much work.” “The younger pupils were ex-
ed to a whole new level. It will never
As schools switched to hybrid perimenting with seed germination
be the same again.”
learning, additional instructional chal- using petri dishes and solutions that
lenges emerged, especially in cases
LEARNING NEW WAYS were sent home from the school. Part
where some students were learning of the work involved students record-
TO LEARN
in-person while others were simultane- ing themselves on camera to show
ously logging on to classes from home. While faculty and staff were using they were doing the activities cor-
“Teachers began teaching in two dif- new techniques and strategies for pro- rectly. Some students opted to take it
ferent modalities at once; it’s definitely viding instruction during the pandem- further and to leave the camera on so
challenging,” said Harry Leonardatos, ic, many students were simultaneously they could observe how long the seed
principal of Clarkstown High School learning to learn in new and different growth took based on the substances
North. ways. in the petri dishes,” she said. “Cool,
Even the basics of where to stand “I’ve seen students relying a lot less right?”
became a puzzle to solve. “You have on textbooks and more on themselves Definitely some silver linings
kids in front of you and then you have and their own problem-solving skills,” among the pandemic chaos.
your kids online. So, the tough part Comis said. “Here’s an example: I
was determining where to position asked elementary students about POSITIVE SHIFTS IN
yourself in the classroom and what hand sanitizers recently. One student COMMUNICATIONS EFFORTS
microphone to use,” Leonardatos immediately pulled out her tablet,
explained. “And you wouldn’t know Googled it and proudly announced The Covid-19 pandemic resulted
what to do unless you actually did it that Lupe Hernandez, a student nurse, in some positive changes for school
and made adjustments in real time.” invented hand sanitizer. She had the communications and family outreach,
Support staff were required to learn answer in ten seconds. My point? as well.
on the fly, as well. Kristen Lennon- A year ago, this would never have “It was our job to figure out what to
McMahan, class assistant principal happened at the elementary school- do to increase communications in Port
at Shenendehowa High School West, age level.” Jervis,” Marotta said. “Number one:
pointed to the work and commitment Regina Huffman, coordinator and you try a variety of things. Number
of her school’s monitors. “They’ve had chairperson of science in Sewanhaka two: you give many reminders — not
to step in and learn new skills...and Central High School District, has made threatening reminders, just friendly
they’ve done so seamlessly,” she said. similar observations about students reminders. And you record things for
parents to watch on their own time.”
www.saanys.org 6VANGUARDCOVERSTORY
For Marotta, this meant holding “We tried to touch as
live online parent forums on Google many bases as possible,”
“We have so many more
Meet and also livestreaming events and Marotta said. “How often opportunities now to make
then making the recordings available do you get a recording
for later viewing. The district also set of your kid’s graduation
connections and exchange ideas
up its communications systems so ceremony and also some without having to leave the office.
email messages and/or robocalls could live elements? I think this
be targeted to specific groups (e.g., just approach to graduation is
Or maybe we’ve had those
the junior class). going to stick around for a opportunities for a long time but
“And even when we send emails, while. People loved it.”
we’re using screen captures or a short Families also react-
we just were too busy to realize it.”
video to explain what’s in the email,” ed well to districts holding parent region. “During the pandemic, we met
Marotta said. “Parents and students meetings online rather than in person via Zoom and got together more of-
can review the communications in the — even if it was a forced situation to ten — sometimes every week. People
way that works best for them.” abide by safety protocols. Leonardatos wanted to connect and exchange ideas
Huffman has seen an increase in opted for a Google Meet format to hold and information during that time and
effective communication in her district, a ninth-grade orientation meeting. technology made that possible. We’re
as well. “We had a parent portal and a Many districts held parent teacher con- back to meeting monthly, but we kept
student portal all along, but it wasn’t ferences and class scheduling meetings the virtual aspect of the meetings. At-
used as much as it is now,” she said. in online formats, as well. tendance at the meetings is better than
“We’re also using texting to reach “We received great feedback from ever before. Previously, we might have
families and we now have the ability parents about this,” said Leonardatos. had 10 or 12 people. Now, we have as
to text in different languages, so we’re They were able to log in from work many as 50 in attendance. We have so
reaching an even broader audience. or home and it was so much more many more opportunities now to make
These tools are so important for our convenient for them. This gave us connections and exchange ideas with-
families; if parents aren’t aware of more accessibility to parents than out having to leave the office. Or may-
what’s going on in the schools, they ever before. It’s one of the pandemic- be we’ve had those opportunities for a
can’t be advocates for what they need.” related things that worked really well long time but we just were too busy to
In Shenendehowa, school leaders and we’re going to use that [remote realize it,” Leonardatos mused.
used video technology to record meeting] option going forward.” Shenendehowa educators and
positive messages for students and leaders also built on already estab-
parents. “We wanted them to see us UNPRECEDENTED lished collaborative platforms — in
and to see that some things were still COLLABORATION this case, professional learning com-
normal,” Lennon-McMahan said. “We munities (PLCs). “I am just one part
did one video series where we held up As school leaders reflect on the of a larger leadership team here. I’m
inspirational messages for students. time between the early days of the pretty lucky in that regard; anything
When it was my turn to do one of these pandemic and now, they are also quick we did, we did as a team and that’s
videos, I decided to do a funny one. to touch on the unprecedented level beneficial for any administrator,” Len-
So, I held up the inspirational message of collaboration that has been taking non-McMahan said.
in front of me, and our son, who was place. In Port Jervis, this included PLCs were also a vital part
a senior last year, was dancing and regular 1:00 p.m. meetings between the of the collaborative landscape for
running behind me like a lunatic. It superintendent and leadership team. Shenendehowa teachers. “One of the
was funny and it was humanizing… “We really collaborated with our things I’m proud of with our staff is
and it was a way to show families that superintendent, Mike Rydell,” Marotta that we really saw the importance of
even with everything shut down, we recalled. “We met every day. We had being collaborative with our colleagues
were there with them.” a running agenda, a fluid agenda. through PLCs,” Lennon-McMahan
The superintendent would say, ‘Tell commented. “Over the years, we
MEETING AND CELEBRATING me what’s happening. What are you did a lot of work around building
IN THE VIRTUAL WORLD hearing? What do we need to do next?’ relationships and this was a huge
It wasn’t a top-down ‘Here’s what we benefit for teachers because they were
In Clarkstown, school staff mem- are doing.’” able to share best practices and talk
bers increased social media postings, Similarly, administrators recog- through what worked and what didn’t.”
using Instagram and Twitter to high- nized the value of using this approach Once the pandemic hit, this
light and celebrate student accomplish- in their buildings and beyond. As foundation was vital. “Teachers
ments virtually. Port Jervis was among chair of the Rockland County High worked together tirelessly to make
many districts that livestreamed and School Principals Association, Leo- sure their lessons were converted to
recorded portions of its graduation cer- nardatos would normally organize the online environment,” Lennon-
emony; the district also added in some monthly in-person meetings with his McMahan said. “We’re fortunate
live components based on student re- colleagues from other schools in the because teachers had PLC time built
quests.
7 www.saanys.orgVANGUARDCOVERSTORY
into each week to do this collaborative become even more clear with
work. That’s been instrumental in their this pandemic is that we’re
success.” not all in the same boat,” he
said. “We’re all in the same
HELPING STUDENTS
storm. And some kids are on
ONE BY ONE
yachts, some kids are on a big
This cooperation, sharing, and shipping boat, and some kids
collaboration also made it possible to are on a houseboat. Then,
identify and meet individual student there are some kids who are
needs as the pandemic continued to in a solo kayak, some who
affect in-person learning. Leaders and are in a rickety little fishing
educators regularly met to discuss chil- boat that has holes in it.
dren they were particularly concerned And some kids are hanging
about and developed strategies to help; on by a life preserver...and
this approach continues. some kids are drowning.”
Huffman and her colleagues were Lennon-McMahan has the dance has to be outdoors and
worried about students who weren’t seen first-hand some Shenendehowa I’m stringing up picnic lights in the
logging in to online classes and couldn’t students who were hanging on by life parking lot, I’ll make it happen,” he
be reached. “The administrators split preservers, perhaps close to drowning. said, and only half-jokingly added,
up the lists of students and each made She spoke about a poignant experience “If people call me up and say they
personal calls to the families to try to involving one child. “When the want a pink pony…Well, maybe you
reengage the students,” Huffman said. pandemic first started, she was sent to can’t get a pink pony, but you might
Some heartbreaking situations a homeless shelter. I was very worried be able to contact a zoo, right? You
were revealed during these outreach about her; she was just so incredibly might be able to get some therapeutic
efforts. Leonardatos spoke about his ef- isolated. I got permission from the animals for the kids. It’s up to me to
forts to help an immigrant student who shelter to visit her,” Lennon-McMahan listen and be responsive.”
stopped attending online classes. said. “When the weather got nicer, we In this way, Marotta is continuing
“We checked on him and found would meet outdoors and I would to build on the supportive culture that’s
out that he needed food, so our food bring her care packages. Other times, ingrained in the Port Jervis district.
service department made deliveries we would use Google Meet. One day, I Huffman has the same focus.
directly to the student’s home,” Leon- asked her during one of these meetings “We have to make sure that we
ardatos explained. “But, ultimately, we if she needed anything. Out of the blue still have a sense of community. And
found out that his mom had lost her job —and this is such a teenager thing we need to keep in mind that some
and there were multiple families living —she sheepishly asked if I could get students had a really rough time when
in their apartment; these housemates some nail polish for her. That was the they were home,” she commented.
were taking the food that came from situation. She’s a teenage girl, isolated “Also, we have to continually build
the school, the mom had no way to buy and alone and her simple request was relationships with the larger school
groceries, so the student had nothing to for nail polish. It can really break your community so we can give people the
eat. Forget thinking about broadband; heart.” help that they need. You can have all of
this kid was hungry.” The pandemic has endless stories the technology and all of the equipment,
Leonardatos and his staff like these…and countless times when but if you don’t have the trust of your
purchased grocery store gift cards so school district personnel went the extra parents and students — enough trust
the mother could go shopping. Then, mile to help just one student…and then where they feel comfortable asking
they found out that the family had no another student…and on and on. for help — then nothing else really
transportation to get to the grocery matters.”
store, so staff members volunteered to LOOKING AHEAD
drive them, along with providing some MEETING MENTAL
These are the stories that will be on HEALTH NEEDS
nonperishable foods that the student the minds of school administrators as
could prepare for himself. Later, they consider what needs to happen to School administrators and educa-
Clarkstown staff members followed “come back better” for the 2021-2022 tors feel that students’ mental health
up by delivering a Wi-Fi hotspot so the school year. and social emotional needs will be
student could attend his virtual classes. In Port Jervis, Marotta has already among the biggest challenges in the
“Luckily, we don’t have a huge number committed to continuing to encourage upcoming school year. Most school-
of students in those circumstances, but students to give voice to what they aged children have likely experienced a
it was certainly an example of starving want. And he will find a way to honor sense of loneliness, fear, grief, and iso-
in the shadow of plenty.” the requests, including those for pep lation at the very least; others are fac-
Marotta sums up these situations rallies and the more recent request ing much more serious mental health
perfectly: “We used to say we’re all in for a homecoming dance. “Even if issues. Recent data — including some
the same boat, right? But no, what has
www.saanys.org 8VANGUARDCOVERSTORY
alarming statistics — show that there is motivation.”
good reason for school personnel to be These circumstances will likely 46 percent of parents surveyed
concerned: impact academic achievement, Wright said their teen showed signs of
• Research from the Centers for said. “Remember that academic per-
Disease Control and Prevention formance isn’t going to just kick right new or worsening mental health
back in when students return to school.
indicates that one in four young
I imagine it’s going to take a bit of time,
since the pandemic started.
adults says they have considered
suicide because of the pandemic. so if it’s possible to be patient with
• In a national poll by the C.S. Mott lower output and lower outcomes for and even that small bit of transition
Children’s Hospital, 46 percent of a while, that will be helpful.” coming into the building and working
parents surveyed said their teen Wright, school leaders, and edu- with a couple of adults has been very
showed signs of new or worsening cators are also expecting some fears helpful. It’s been a very safe way to
mental health since the pandemic about returning to classrooms. expose them to the building and help
started. “We have students who have not them realize that we’re nice people and
• A survey by Navigate/Zogby set foot in the school buildings since we’ll be welcoming them back with
Strategies revealed even higher last March. So, by the time we get open arms. Two of the students even
levels of parental concern, with 78 to next September, that’s a year and asked if they could transition to hybrid
percent of respondents indicating a half that they haven’t been in the learning.”
that they were very worried or school building,” Lennon-McMahan Valley Stream School District is
somewhat worried about the said. “We keep asking ourselves how also trying out some new support ac-
mental health impacts of the do we transition people? How do we tivities in anticipation of increasing
pandemic on K-12 children. help kids have a feeling of safety when student needs next year. “Instead of
they haven’t been around large groups just having social workers and psy-
Northern Rivers Family of Ser- of people? We’re a large school; every chologists see children individually
vices’ Kathy Wright regularly sees class at Shen — grades 9-12 — has or in small groups, we have them also
the pandemic’s effects on students, as between 700 and 850 students. That’s a pushing into classrooms now,” Comis
Northern Rivers operates numerous big undertaking and it’s going to take explained. “Once a week, every class-
school-based mental health centers in some flexibility. For example, some room gets a whole-class visit from a so-
the Capital Region. (Wright is director kids will need an individualized plan cial worker or psychologist. They pres-
of the Behavioral Health Center at Mal- to return.” ent lessons and have discussions on a
ta through Parsons and director of the Wright agrees and advises districts topic related to the current challenges
Home-Based Crisis Intervention pro- to plan some time for students to be in — nervousness or anxiety, for exam-
gram.) the school buildings over the summer. ple. It’s not a therapy session, but it’s
“The mental health issues we’re “I realize that summer is usually a time a way to provide more general social
seeing are similar to what we saw be- for districts to do capital improvements emotional support. We’ll continue with
fore the pandemic, but they have in- or deep cleaning, but if there are that in the coming school year.”
creased in intensity and frequency,” opportunities to bring students back
Wright said. “It’s mood disorders, de- to the buildings for low-demand, fun
pression and anxiety. We’re also doing MID-FLIGHT SOARING
activities, it could be very beneficial,”
more work around grief.” she said. Of course, with the natural chaos
As districts start planning for chil- In some cases, districts already inherent in the Covid-19 pandemic,
dren’s mental health needs in the new have a head start on these strategies. next year just might be another oppor-
school year, Wright advises sensitivity For example, Shenendehowa coun- tunity for school leaders and educators
and flexibility — two things that dis- selors identified small groups of fully to have a repeat performance of learn-
tricts have had a lot of general experi- remote students who were struggling ing on the fly.
ence with since March 2020. and falling behind. The students were This time, they have more than
But, from a mental health invited to spend a few hours in school a year’s worth of flights to know that
perspective, Wright said, “I think that as part of the district’s Grad Lab pro- they can soar.
children will still be feeling the effects gram.
of stress when they return to school. So, “We provided busing and the kids
it wouldn’t surprise me if this leads to come in at 7:45, grab breakfast, and go to
difficulties with executive functioning. their assigned rooms. There, they work
Students who may have had no with an instructional aide who helps
challenges in the past organizing their them log in to their learning portal and
work or completing their homework prioritize their assignments. At 10 a.m.,
may suddenly have issues with these the kids pick up their lunch and are
activities. There may also be increased transported home,” Lennon-McMahan KIM M. SMITHGALL is an award-winning
irritability and tearfulness, along communications specialist and freelance
explained. “Some of the students I
writer, designer, and photographer.
with foggy memory and decreased work with have high levels of anxiety
9 www.saanys.orgOption
1 1:1 Mentor Coaching
SAANYS
Mentor
Coaching
Services
Option
2 Group Mentor Coaching
“ SAANYS mentoring has changed our
administrative team...Our administrators have
Contact
For more information about this program, contact Karen Bronson, SAANYS director
valued and cherished the time they have spent of professional learning, at kbronson@saanys.org, or Bonnie Tryon, SAANYS mentor
with their SAANYS mentor, who skillfully coordinator, at btryon@saanys.org.
used questioning and scenarios to give them
tools to solve their own challenges and build
a plan to move forward with confidence and
collaboration.”
Shelley Rossitto
Executive Director, IT & PD, Monticello SchoolsVANGUARDFEATURESTORY
REFLECTING,
Reconnecting and Moving Forward
Stress, burnout, and mental health issues have been — and will
By Pat Fontana
continue to be — very real challenges for school leaders. A renewed
emphasis on making connections, building relationships, and
developing the social and emotional aspects of learning will be critical
for school leaders, for their own motivation as well as that of their staff
and students, as we move forward.
The sudden and drastic changes in education over the past year have
been challenging enough for seasoned educators and administrators.
Some experienced educators feel that the changes brought on by the
pandemic are just too much for them and so have decided this is a good
time to retire. Burnout is a very real possibility, between remote classes,
stressed out students, and the fear of virus transmission.
A TRADITIONAL START
11 www.saanys.orgVANGUARDFEATURESTORY
For school leaders who took on their ership program, returning
new roles just prior to or even during to the program in which he “I feel like I’ve had a lot of first years.
the pandemic, these shifts in focus participated several years
and delivery have been an especially before.
The key is not to have a second first
serious source of apprehension. Dake says that every year in the same position.”
New school leaders have faced the position has had a consistent
challenges of learning their jobs and theme. In each, he says,
taking on new responsibilities in the there have been “things that have been sons.” In his own case, he adds, “They
midst of a myriad of changes in the know I’ll be consistent.”
education field. Mental space, “not always being in
Dr. Larry Dake is one of those reactive mode,” is also key to reducing
who have taken on a new job in school stress as a school leader, particularly
leadership in the midst of the pandemic. during the challenging and uncertain
In addition to his work as the newly days of the pandemic. Dake advises
appointed Binghamton City School that “it’s impossible to be all things to
District assistant superintendent, Dake all people at the same time.” He points
has published a timely book, offering out that one of the early mistakes a
solid advice for educators and leaders new leader can make is to try to be
in education, whether they are new to responsive to everyone’s needs, to try
the field or have been in their positions to solve all the problems.
for years. While it’s natural to want to help
people, if that’s the only mode a leader
is in, he says, “That’s where I’ve seen
“Take time to be intentionally
people burn out early in their career.”
reflective.”
It’s important to create some space, to
“Keep personal connections get some breathing room for being able
alive.” to enjoy family or outside hobbies, and
to get out of the office at a reasonable
“Give yourself some mental time to be able to do all those things.
space.” changing,” whether that was the end How to do that? Take notifications
of a recession or the beginning of a off your phone. Set up basic email ex-
These and other key pieces of pandemic. The key for him has always pectations with staff. Over the week-
leadership advice are the basis of been to “figure out how to work with end, or when taking some vacation
Dake’s recently published book, Crisis people and move forward.” time, check email but do not respond
Management: Effective School Leadership That, in fact, has been, and con- to it. Although Dake says he will an-
to Avoid Early Burnout, written to tinues to be, a template for him: How swer the phone because that could be
help school leaders navigate through do you work with people, learn quick- an emergency, it’s important to “set
crises while continuing to be excited ly, then try to build relationships? He expectations that email will not get a
and passionate about what they do. adds, “I feel like I’ve had a lot of first response until Monday.”
In describing his book, Dake says it years. The key is not to have a second
contains advice on “all those things first year in the same position.” REFLECTIONS AND
I’ve struggled with, things that nobody CRITICAL CONNECTIONS
talked about or talked about enough.” MAJOR STRESS RELIEVERS
Time is a critical aspect of a
Now finishing up his eleventh school leader’s ability to deal with
One of the big takeaways from his
year as a school administrator, Dake stress. Although time may seem to
book, Dake says, is “talking about stress
took on his current position in Bing- be a precious commodity, it is still
and anxiety and avoiding burnout.”
hamton in July 2020, returning to the important to set aside some time to
As part of his research, he interviewed
district where he started his career as a be self-reflective. Dake points out that
principals and other administrators
student teacher. His leadership career at this time the “ups and downs are
who told him stories about having a
began in August 2010, with the role of lower lows and higher ups than we
trusting relationship with their staff as
Vestal’s coordinator of instruction. He would normally experience.” Being
being a major stress reliever for them.
then moved on to become the George self-reflective, taking time at the end
Acknowledging that every admin-
F. Johnson Elementary School princi- of the week or the end of the month to
istrator is going to make a mistake,
pal and then assistant superintendent think about meetings, conversations,
and that there are always situations
for personnel and secondary education and other events, can be a very
that could be handled better, a great
in Union-Endicott. Dake also teaches, valuable learning tool, especially for
stress relief for him is “going home at
as an adjunct professor in the Bing- new leaders.
night knowing the staff trusts you and
hamton University Educational Lead- It is also helpful to acknowledge
you’re doing things for the right rea-
www.saanys.org 12VANGUARDFEATURESTORY
small wins, particularly since it can how to encourage
be very difficult to see huge gains in that motivation.
any one area in a short period of time. Jennifer Lee-
Thinking about strategies that are easy Alden began her
to implement but that can have large work as assistant
results can also be helpful. A small principal for the
win can be as simple as a phone call, a class of 2023 at
home visit, or anything that helps the Shenendehowa
leader make a personal connection. High School in
Dake emphasizes that keeping mid-August 2020.
personal connections alive is in itself Although she had
a win. Those connections might be previously served
with staff, parents, or the students as a summer
themselves. School leaders are finding school principal,
that they have to make an extra effort she found that
during the pandemic to reach out and much of her
engage with students who are not in learning curve in her new position
the building all the time. has also been focused on student well and building relationships. These
engagement efforts. are the areas that will help new leaders
A DIFFERENT She says that during normal times, reduce their stress and help them keep
LEARNING CURVE the assistant principal is “the person the flame alive.
that has to do the student discipline.” “When things get back to as normal
One leader who has found that she However, she has found that she has as they can be,” Dake emphasizes,
had to be more creative and came up had to refocus her efforts on outreach, “those efforts will pay off.” It can be
with new ways to make those connec- including home visits, phone calls, difficult for a first-year administrator
tions is Erin Rueckert, ninth- through and emails. She has been developing who does not get immediate positive
twelfth-grade counselor at Granville a process of reaching out to students feedback but who should know that
High School. Rueckert started her job to keep them engaged. This is all a their efforts will pay off in the long
in December 2019, just before the hol- huge challenge for everyone. She adds run. He encourages new leaders to find
iday break, then had about two and a that she is also working with parents, a mentor, someone they can bounce
half months of relative normalcy. She who are looking for help themselves. ideas off of and someone with whom
was meeting with students and getting Although they may be dealing with they can “process stuff within a safe
to know them just as everything shut issues of their own, they really want space.”
down and then shifted to remote learn- their kids to be successful. Lee-Alden says there have been
ing. She says it has been “a very inter- Lee-Alden also points to the high points for her even among the
esting year,” even though it was tough, social and emotional impacts as being challenges of the past year. She stresses
particularly when the situation for her prevalent this year. She sees the mental that her administrative team is truly a
and her students, primarily seniors, health of students and their families as team with “a very positive vibe.” They
was so uncertain. being in crisis. For her, communication are all welcoming and the principal is
The usual learning curve for a can make the difference, but it can really a leader for the team. They all
new school counselor completely also be seen as a stigma. As she is work together to “do what it takes to
shifted at that point. The focus now, reaching out to find kids and families help the kids succeed.”
says Rueckert, is on mental health and who are struggling, she finds that they Rueckert says for her the high
on social and emotional needs. She don’t want anyone to know they are point is “seeing the support of our
works with teachers and families to struggling so she has to find a way to community and how our community
figure out what the student needs are, put it all in a more positive light. has supported what the school
to make action plans, and to keep the district’s decisions have been.” She
students engaged in school so they can adds that she is encouraged by “how
KEEPING THE FLAME ALIVE
feel connected. She adds, “If they’re willing families and teachers are to
not in a place where they can focus One of the reasons Dake says he work together to support the kids.”
and learn, they’re not going to do well wrote his book was because the lessons She anticipates a time of personal
academically.” he learned as part of the leadership growth going into the new school year,
Celebrating small victories is also program are “not necessarily the as she is “looking to learn and improve
an important aspect of Rueckert’s things that make or break you in the on practices that can better support
work as she tries to maintain optimism first year.” Although the courses students.”
for herself as well as for her students. taught important lessons about issues
Motivation is a challenge for everyone such as budgets and legal issues, the
in the uncertainty of the pandemic and more important aspects of leadership,
one of Rueckert’s challenges now is especially today, are managing time
13 www.saanys.orgVANGUARDFEATURESTORY
made a real difference in putting this
LESSONS FOR THE FUTURE back together.” RESOURCES
No one is quite certain what the Dake just submitted a proposal
classroom will look like in September. for his next book, which will be “fo-
cused on the theme that there are little Crisis Management:
Dake says, though, that “as we look
forward to September there is a little pieces in our leadership that may not Effective School Leadership
bit of a feeling that we can pick up be visible to us, but they can become
problematic.” Leaders, new and expe- to Avoid Early Burnout
our head and start thinking about
the future.” He adds that “now is the rienced, can fall into habits and if those
Published in 2021, Dr. Larry
time to really engage with the school aren’t addressed, they can grow into
major rifts in their leadership. Dake’s book, available on
community, to start talking about
As to the fall, Amazon, is touted as a
Equally important is talking about what Dake says it’s helpful guide that will ”assist
critical to “go aspiring and practicing school
we are doing now that we may need to back to focusing leaders with strategies to
continue doing. He emphasizes that on relationships
navigate transitions, balance
with students,
“having those conversations helps with staff, with relationships, and manage their
build consensus.” the communi- time more effectively.”
ties.” Everyone
Chapters include titles such as:
what are the things we need to do will be craving a sense of normalcy,
differently.” including school leaders. It will be im- “The Grass May Look Different,
Equally important is talking about portant to be present, to be accessible, But It’s Not Always Greener…
what we are doing now that we may to show an investment. Rebuilding One Administrator’s Story”
need to continue doing. He emphasizes and reinvigorating, keeping the flame
that “having those conversations alive, will involve prioritizing “those “Is It Lonely at the Top?
helps build consensus.” Especially moments where you have students, Navigating Leadership Isolation
important are the connections that staff, and community in the same and Loneliness”
were made with families through space. Those are going to be unique
“The Goose That Lays the
video conferences. There are a number opportunities that we’ve lost in the last
Golden Egg: School Leadership
of ways in which this relationship 18 months.” Going forward, they can
and Time Management”
building could benefit students, staff, be “tremendous opportunities to re-
families, and administrators in the build that community and to make it Dake also includes “must read
future. even better.”
books for prospective and
Dake says that “if we take a step
PAT FONTANA is a business writer and practicing school leaders”
back and think about what was lost
in this year, it really is that in-person communications trainer with a background as well as a helpful survey
in corporate training and community college instrument for school leaders.
piece when everyone is together. When instruction. Her business, WordsWorking,
we can emphasize those opportunities focuses on improving workplace communi-
with those communities, we’ll have cations, concentrating on the fundamentals of
human interactions.
www.saanys.org 14from practitioners
SPRING
2021
www.saanys.orgF
FYY II TRENDING IN
EDUCATION...
YouTube...
Numb
by Liv McNeil
and M83
Scan or visit:
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ly/3sMqINY
Innovation Theory...
Forget Learning
Loss, This is
Learning
Realignment Scan or visit:
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“““You may not always have a comfortable life and ly/3dJcYiY
you will not always be able to solve all of the world’s
Education Week...
problems at once. But, don’t ever underestimate the
importance you can have because history has shown
us that courage can be contagious, and hope can take Peter DeWitt
Opinion Contributor,
Brad Currie
Chester School District
David Hornak
Holt Public Schools (Mich.)
Education Week Chester, N.J.
on a life of its own.” A Seat at the Table with
Education Week:
– Michelle Obama What Did We Learn
About Schooling Scan or visit:
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School Mental Health Resource and Training Center...
School Shorts
Scan or visit:
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ly/2PjVa4k How to Talk About
Resources Next School Year
Presents a Big Test
Scan or visit:
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https://bit. for Education Scan or visit:
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ly/32LNMSr Leaders ly/3nhuBcI
www.saanys.org 16Building BUILDING
BACK BETTER
Back Better
It is almost exactly one year to the day that I packed up all of
By Michelle Mastrande
the essentials in my office as a middle school assistant principal and
weighed which things would be most needed in the next few days.
We were set to close our doors for maybe a week, possibly two, to get
a better sense of the impact of Covid-19. In those same moments, a
colleague in the district called to tell me about a vacancy in the district
as an elementary school principal. Elementary school? Me? I had
devoted 17 years to middle school and was certain that wherever my
career took me, these adolescents would be at the heart of it.
17 www.saanys.orgPRACTICES: BUILDING BACK BETTER
I was intrigued, but distracted, as This year, more than ever, I have heart that was poured into everything,
she rattled off all of the positives of seen and heard and felt the heart of by everyone, time and again this year
the position and assured me it would the community we serve. I felt in is what we must use as the foundation
be a great fit. In truth, I had been the spring as we navigated together of all things as we build back.
thinking lately of pursuing a new the challenges of remote learning, I believe we must all recognize
path and finding an opportunity to as families grieved the loss of loved how adaptable we have all become. It
devote myself to a growing passion for ones and struggled to find the most can get hard after many years in edu-
alternative education — particularly at basic provisions. I heard it in the cation to not feel confident in our roles
the middle school level. Yet, I cannot voices of my new students when we as teachers, masters of our content
deny that I felt a door crack open met virtually over the summer and area, leaders on our grade level, or
during that phone call, a light cast they eagerly shared their excitement within our buildings. And quite often
on shadows that had just begun to to return to school after such a long alongside confidence comes comfort
fall. It is hard to put into words how absence. I saw it in the faces of the — and a sense that things are really,
very much those steps to my car felt parents who dropped their kids off on really good just the way they are. This
measured and heavy on that March the first day of school and had trusted year stripped that all away. It forced us
afternoon. I did not know for certain in the safety protocols we had put in to use our confidence in a different ca-
how the chips would fall with regard place. pacity — not standing on the assump-
to schools, Covid, my next steps — but tion that we are already doing things
on every level I knew my life would right, because the old ways of doing
somehow never be the same. things were shattered by hundreds
Fast-forward to March of 2021 of pages of state guidelines telling
and I am finishing nine months us they were now “wrong.” This
in my new role as the proud confidence required us to take a
principal of School #5. And leap of faith, to trust one another
boy, do I mean proud! At and ourselves, and find a way to
times I have to check myself in fly. All of us. We learned to em-
conversations with colleagues brace new technologies that al-
who look at me with perplexed lowed us to provide students with
faces as I tell them I am happier relevant and engaging lessons, that
than I have ever been, that allowed for connections and conver-
this year has been awesome, and sations, while still keeping everyone
it is quite possibly the best decision safe. We let go of our insecurities about
I have ever made. Yes, you heard me others watching and critiquing us, and
right, people. This crazy, exhausting, we joined 1,000,000 Google Meets, in-
24/7, world-on-fire, building from the And then it was all around me. It was vited parents and students into our lit-
ground up year is my favorite year of in the heart of my colleagues who went eral living rooms, and figured out how
the past two decades. How is that even above and beyond each day, setting to stream to those students at home,
possible? you ask in a year where the aside their own fears and concerns, to while meeting the needs of the ones in
summer vacation we desperately use provide stability, joy, and knowledge front of us. We rewrote curriculums,
to recharge was swallowed whole by to the students in front of them. It was paradigms for professional develop-
rooming measurements, ever-changing in the heart of the custodial staff, who ment and faculty meetings, protocols
and always too late guidelines, hours not only worked 24/7 to make our for PE, art, music, and recess. And we
spent on spreadsheets and in last- schools safe and compliant with all have soared. Today marks 120 consec-
minute interviews to fill newly created guidelines, but also took the time to utive days that our school community
sections? How is that possible in a mark out safe distances in our hallway has come together to learn and to grow.
year where it sometimes felt like I was in the colors of the rainbow so it would There is not a person in our building
perpetually holding my breath, while be less intimidating to our returning who has not shattered the limits of
walking on a tightrope, blindfolded, students. It was in the tremendous their own expectations, found resil-
and carrying the weight of 400 students support of our PTA, who quickly found ience when it was needed most, and
and nearly 100 staff members? There ways to think creatively and infuse proven beyond all doubt that there is
is still so much I am unsure of in my a sense of normalcy into our school literally nothing we can’t accomplish
new role — but for every uncertainty, I day, welcoming the children back together. This new confidence will be
have found my footing on some pretty with thoughtful gifts and planning a the foundation of our building back.
indispensable truths about our role as “safe” pumpkin patch. I found it every I truly feel fortunate to have had
building leaders. single time I made a late night phone the opportunity to take on a new po-
The first of those things that I call to a parent or a staff member and sition of leadership in the midst of
will use to “build back better” is my needed to have an impossibly hard the incredible challenges facing our
commitment to lead from the heart. conversation about Covid-19. The world. I have been tested in ways that
www.saanys.org 18You can also read
