Name: Brian Bosworth

Title: Principal

Organisation: Kittatinny Regional High School

I began my career as a journalist and then a public relations manager before transitioning into the world of education. I began my teaching career as an English and Journalism teacher in a high school. During my time as a teacher, I taught all levels of English while coaching multiple sports and serving as an activity advisor. I then became an assistant principal and for the past 10 years I have been the principal of Kittatinny Regional High School in Newton, N.J. We are a school for grades 7-12 that houses about 750 students in northwest New Jersey.

I received my B.A. in English and Journalism from the University of New Hampshire, my M.A. in Educational Leadership from New Jersey City University and I'm currently enrolled in the Ed.D program in Educational Leadership at Centenary University.

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

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

Cheers,

Jonno White

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

Having worked in the private sector before transitioning into the world of education, I have been able to look at the world of education through a slightly different lens. There are so many rewarding aspects of working in educational leadership. The opportunity to work with students each and every day is something you don't get in other professions.

I feel the biggest challenge in this profession is the task of running an organization without having any control over the revenue. We receive financial information from the state of New Jersey every February and have a couple of weeks to create a budget that serves the needs of our students.

Over the last seven years, our district has lost over $4 million from the state and we have to make very difficult decisions to maintain the high quality education that we provide the students of our district. The state has a very complex formula that precludes us from having a forecast on our revenue streams. Therefore, we are provided a set of numbers and immediately, within days, have to make personnel and budget decisions based on those numbers.

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

I was working in the public relations division of a large, Fortune 500 company when I came to the realization that I really wanted to do something different with my life. I had always thought about getting into teaching and decided not to wait any longer. I obtained my teaching certification and taught English and Journalism for nine years. While I was teaching, I went back to school at night and earned my Masters Degree in Educational Leadership - knowing one day I would pursue a leadership position.

When an assistant principal position opened at my school, I applied and was fortunate enough to get the job. After two years as an assistant principal, the principal position opened and after a rigorous interview process, I was named the principal of the school. I have been honored to be the principal at Kittatinny for the last decade. While there are always challenges, the opportunity to help students set a course for their lives is something that is unique to our field.

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

I do my best to balance my roles as husband, father and principal. Being a high school principal is definitely not a 9-5 job. It is a 24 hour, seven day a week commitment, A principal is always "on call." I usually start my day around 5:30 a.m. answering any emails and going over my schedule for the day. I typically arrive at the school around 7 a.m. Each day is different (one of the perks of the job).

Each day can consist of staff meetings, parent meetings, classroom observations, paperwork, professional development, etc. Our students dismiss at 2:15 p.m. and I usually catch up on office work until around 4 p.m. or so. Each week, I usually have evening responsibilities, whether is additional meetings, Board of Education meetings, athletic events, extracurricular events or community events. Many times I do not get home until after 9 p.m.

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

The beauty of being an educational leader is the learning does not stop. Often times, I have the opportunity to learn from our students. Working with them each day gives me the unique perspective of seeing the world through the eyes of a high school student. Doing this allows me to make informed decisions as to how to best run the school. Too often, the day gets filled with "adult" challenges.

We are working on curriculum, budgets, personnel, handling challenges. However at the end of the day the one mantra we follow is that we have to do "what's best for students." As chaotic as a day is and however many decisions we have to make, it all comes down to consistently do "whats best for students."

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?

One of the books that I have consistently referenced in my leadership journey is Jim Collins book Good to Great. Oftentimes, we allow students (and adults) to settle. They make do just enough in a class. Teachers may create a lesson that checks the boxes but is not as dynamic as it could be. We have to consistently challenge those around us to strive to be better. There are many students who are good, but how do we, as educational leaders, inspire them to be great.

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?

The biggest piece of advice I would give anyone who wants to be an educational leader is to be authentic. Do not try to become an educational leader because you think it's the right thing to do - become an educational leader because you have a passion for it. There are plenty of teachers that I have had the privilege to work with who are outstanding in the classroom. They have told me they love being in the classroom and have no desire to get into a leadership position.

That is completely fine. Be true to yourself. If you want to be a leader, you have to lead in a way that is authentic to you. Staff and students will see right through someone who is trying to be someone they are not. There are so many different leadership styles that it is ok to develop your own. Don't try to emulate someone who has a different personality or style. Do your best to understand your own strengths and weaknesses and develop your leadership style based on who you are as a person. Do not be fake - be authentic.

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

My first year as principal, I received a surprise visit from the superintendent that hired me as a teacher. He had been a longtime leader of the district since it opened and had been retired for a few years. He came in one day and sat in my office, not as the gentleman who was my boss but as a colleague - a peer. He told me stories of the early days of the district. He told me stories of the challenges he faced. He offered advice. At that time, I realized this is more than just a job it is a lifestyle.

He cared enough about the school to come back and have those meaningful discussions - years after he retired from the profession. It also showed that we are not just leading a group of students in the building but many times we are the students as well. As he left that day, we promised to stay in touch and keep the meaningful conversations going. Unfortunately, he passed away soon after but I will never lose sight of the responsibility that comes with being an educational leader.