Tyler Amidon has been in education for 20 years and became a principal after his previous school's principal resigned. He found the transition to be a big adjustment, with many unexpected challenges like feeling pulled in many directions, emotional ups and downs, and having to learn to be extremely flexible with his time. He has sought to grow professionally by developing mentors within and outside his district and learning from other administrators. As the new principal, he is focused on building positive culture and relationships in his school through listening, being visible and connected to students and staff, communicating clearly, and leading as a lifelong learner. Personally, he works to maintain balance and take care of his own health and well-being.

1. Rookie Principal
Tyler Amidon
Disclaimer: I make no claim to know it all, obviously.

2. Practical and Personal
• Outline
• Brief History
• Introduction
• Personal Professional Growth
• In my building
• Personal
• Q & A - if we have time

3. Brief History...
• Been in education for 20 years so I felt ready.
• Our Principal resigns in May to be with her
little ones at home.
• My staff “throws me under the bus”
• Gig is confirmed in July... game on!
• Interim “tag” removed in January
• Today

4. My Perspective
• My view is unique to my experience, all may
not be relevant to you. I apologize in advance.
• Each school/district has their own
challenges. You’ll hear some of mine
tonight.
• My school is in a super intense and
demanding community.
• I am going to spend a little bit a time at
50,000 feet and a little bit of time at 5 feet

5. Shockers
• So much out of my control
• Pulled in 1,000 different directions
• I thought I was flexible, but I had to
learn how to be super duper flexible
with my time... sometimes.
• Emotional ups and downs are brutal

6. Personal Professional
Growth

7. Seek Mentors
• Develop a network of administrators.
• Administrator from your district
• Similar to your school’s culture
• Various experience levels
• Not necessarily local people

8. P.L.N. (Personal Learning
Network)
• Develop a network of professional leaders.
• Twitter
• Start by following the hashtag #cpchat
• Read... Read... Read...
• Short articles or blogs
• Leadership books
• Leadership Conferences
• Ask questions

9. In my building

10. Culture
• Ultimately responsible for the school’s
culture - daunting but awesome
• So tough - changing a school’s culture
is like pulling a U-turn with the Titanic
• Be patient - may take 3 - 5 years to
reset the school culture the way you
want.
• Access your students’ knowledge.
• I started with those that supported
me and built from there.

11. Listen
• Listen first and offer advice second (or
later).
• I often jump into “fix it” mode and I
am realizing this isn’t always best.
• Listening first can validate the opinions
of all the “players in the game.”
• Earns respect in the short term, allows
for influence/growth in the long term.

12. Relationships
• With students and staff
• Be kind in your relationships
• Be caring in your relationships
• Be respectful in your relationships
• When necessary admit when you’re
wrong
• Stand firm when necessary

13. Be Visible - Be Connected
• Intentionally Schedule “kid time”
• Put it in your calendar
• Be seen in the classrooms
• Be seen in the hallways
• Be seen in the lunchroom
• Be seen on the playground
• Have a mobile office

14. Thick Skin
• All of a sudden there is a target on my
back.
• My “enemies” have multiplied
• I used to “own” one room and that’s all
I had to manage/worry about.
• Now I “own” every square inch of
my campus, more to worry about.

15. Budget
• It’s your responsibility
• Learn as much as you can as soon as you
can
• Study it and know it backwards and
forwards
• Challenge why things are the way they
are.
• Get your questions answered

16. Communication
• Clear and concise!!
• Too much, in my opinion, is better than too
little.
• Find tools that work well for your staff,
students, families.
• Might be different for each group.
• This may require lots of trial and error
• Possible tools: Newsletters, email, web site,
twitter, blog, in person, etc. etc.
• Pictures, pictures, pictures - Tell your story

17. Communication
• Be available, but be smart about it.
• It can feel sometimes like you’re a
counselor to the whole community.
• People think that just because you’re
the leader that all of a sudden you have
an added counseling degree.
• Listen... listen... listen...

18. Lead Learner
• Lifelong learner
• Constantly trying to improve myself as a
leader and educator.
• Know your school inside and out.
• Share resources with your staff on a regular
basis
• Keep up with best practices but you don’t
have to be the resident expert in every field.
Allow your staff to be that expert as well.

19. Personal

20. Be yourself
• You can only sustain your true self
• Lead as you lead
• Constant checks - find an
accountability partner to help you
keep “on track.”

21. Balance
• Keep balance in your life.
• This job can consume you.
• Spouse or significant other needs to
recognize this.
• I’m terrible at this
• Must practice being in the moment.
• THIS IS my biggest challenge.
• This takes focus, concentration and
practice like you can’t imagine.

22. Personal Health
• If I don’t serve myself, I can’t serve others
• Physically
• Exercise
• I joined a basketball, flag football,
volleyball league and I’m an avid
runner.
• Emotionally
• Mentors, friends, spouse, counselor, etc.
• Socially
• get out and be social - that’s how I recharge

23. Q&A