Name: Beth Kramer

Title: Principal

Organisation: Walberta Park School

Special Education Teacher - PreK, Middle School, High School. Secondary Administrator in City School District for 9 years. Director of Special Education for 9 years; Currently Principal at Primary School for 13 Years.

Thank you to the 2,000 leaders who’ve generously done the 7 Questions on Educational Leadership!

I hope Beth's answers will encourage you in your leadership journey. Enjoy!

Cheers,

Jonno White

1. What have you found most challenging as an Educational Leader?

The demands and expectations put upon educators. Mental health issues and dysregulation in students.

2. How did you become an Educational Leader? Can you please briefly tell the story?

I was taking course toward my doctorate - and became certified as an administrator. I did not intend on going into administration. But as a teacher, I encountered some very toxic leaders. They took the joy out of teaching. I loved my students - but the school atmosphere and culture made me miserable. This inspired me to get into administration - to uplift and support educators so they can be at their best to support our children.

3. How do you structure your work days from waking up to going to sleep?

6:30 - Get up, Shower, get ready for work and drive. 8:00 - School Day starts - often there is a meeting (SST or team meetings); 8:40 - Students arrive - I usually greet them off the buses. 9:00 - morning video announcements 9:10 - Throughout the school day - answer emails, phone calls, deal with discipline, various meetings, deal with student crisis as they arise 3:00 - student dismissal 3:10 - 4:00 - paperwork, emails, reports, parent phone calls/communication 4:00 - Drive home - maybe a few errands 5:00 - Dinner, news, TV 7:00 - read, play words games, get ready for bed - then fall asleep between 9:30 - 10:30 pm

4. What's a recent lesson you've learned for the first time or been reminded of as an Educational Leader?

Leaders are human. I think people like to put leaders on a pedestal and we are all just imperfect human beings. However, the most important attribute is to be a GOOD human. It is impossible to be a good leader if you are not a good human.

5. What's one book that has had a profound impact on your journey as an Educational Leader so far? Can you please briefly tell the story of how that book impacted you?

Power vs. Force by David Hawkins. David Hawkins is a medical doctor as well as a PhD who dedicated his entire life to to research about human behaviors and the energy - and speaks about the positive and negative energies humans have individually and then holistically .......... the good news is that as humankind - we have evolved in our energy level ........ definitely an intense, thought-provoking good read.

6. If you could only give one piece of advice to a young educator who aspires to be an Educational Leader, what would you say to them?

Never forget the realities of the classroom. Most people in administration forget the realities of the classroom and then they put impossible demands on educators. Every administrator should sub teach at least a couple times a year to keep perspective.

7. What is one meaningful story that comes to mind from your time as an Educational Leader, so far?

I am an animal lover. Right now I have a bird in my office and a therapy dog that accompanies me to work. Years ago - I had a therapy cat. There was a little girl with Autism - who was non-verbal. She would come to my office to pet the cat (KC kitty). One day she yelled out her first words, "I love KC Kitty!" The office staff and I were moved to tears. I know this is not a typical educational leader story you may be looking for - but it emphasizes my point of meaningful connections - they are the key to being a good leader and good person.