Jenny Nauman is the principal of Shields Elementary School in Lewes, Delaware, a 2013 National Blue Ribbon School.  Jenny is currently president of theDelaware Association of School Administrators, the local branch of NAESP AND is on the Editorial Board for Principal Magazine.  Jenny believes in a growth mindset and that any decision should be based on what’s best for children.

Find Jenny on Twitter @PrincipalNauman

 

Jenny shares a little about her family, background, and hobbies, including her love of snowboarding (1:45)

Jenny’s career path from college to where she is today (and knowing that she wanted to become a teacher when she was in kindergarten) (3:20)

Some of Jenny’s biggest struggles in the early years of her career in school administration (8:16)

Some great tips on time management and getting things done (11:00)

Jenny shares some of the best moments of her career (16:50)

Some of the drawbacks of being a leader, and how to deal with them (20:44)

How your impact on a school will change when you move from teaching into administration, and why it’s worth making the shift (22:58)

Make sure every decision is based on what’s best for the students at your school, but always get input from teachers and other stakeholders before making your final decision (26:38)

Jenny discusses a couple of books she recommends for educators (27:40)

The importance of immersing yourself in the community (28:59)

Advice for dealing with “life in the fishbowl” as an administrator (29:50)

Be visible, pro-active, and demonstrably supportive of your teachers (31:28)

Here’s the advice Jenny would give her younger self if she could travel back in time to when she was just starting out in school administration (32:41)

 

Books mentioned in this episode

Weekend Language

Flipping Leadership Doesn’t Mean Reinventing the Wheel

 

Connect with Jenny Nauman

Twitter

 

 

About EducatorsLead:

Educators Lead is a podcast created to help launch educators into the next level of leadership. This show is for you if you are interested in educational leadership as an assistant principal, principal, superintendent, teacher or someone who hopes to be a school leader one day. Educators Lead offers inspiration and practical advice to help you lead more effectively. Jay Willis interviews school leaders three days a week to discuss why and when these educators made the decision to move into school leadership, challenges along the journey, and stories that made it all worthwhile. Educators Lead is a great resource for any educator looking to make a greater impact.

Educate. Inspire. Lead.

www.educatorslead.com