Name: Carol Kruser

Title: Assistant Superintendent for Support Services

Organisation: Chicopee High School

Carol Kruser has been working for Chicopee Public Schools since 2002. Her background is in Health education and Nutrition. She then progressed to become an Vice princpal at the Chicopee High School and then a Principal. She now is working in central office with a focus on safety and security and student supports.

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

I hope Carol'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 changing intiatives from the State have been difficult to navigate. Being a Princial of a large high school and now an Assistant Superintendent of a large district, it is challenging to stay laser focused on student learning and student well being. The needs of our students is comphrensive and we have an obligation to help them naviagate all of the obstacles in their lives so that they can access their education. Assisting all students and mentoring staff is the best part of my job and also the most diffiult to be thorough and consisitent at with all of the obligations of running a big district.

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

My journey was not a straight line. I began as an English major with the goal of going to law school. Along the way, I fell in love with nutrition and health. I ended up working for awhile after college before going back for a Bachelors of Science in Human Nutirtion and then a Masters of Health Education. I began teaching Nutrition and Health at Chicopee High School. I searched out any and all leadership opportunites and focused on peer mediation, conflict resoluation and social emotional supports. After around six years of teaching, I was promoted to Vice Principal and then a few years later Principal. It was there that I delved into teacher evluation and mentoring. I thrived to assist new teachers navigate the complexities of teaching in a large Urban district. After the pandemic, the neeeds to our students escalated as they did for everyone. I focused on supporting families and students and staff. I was given the opportunity about a year and a half ago, to work as the Assistant Superintendent. I am grateful and passionate about helping all students, families and staff in our district.

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

The mornings are important. A few minutes of quiet to check my schedule, look at my details and if I am really being positve, a quick walk or workout. The day flies by. I try and connect with my staff often and with efficiency. Its vital to have agendas, goals, and deadlines to guide conversations and projects so that everyone understands expectations. Being available during school hours for principals and schools is vital. Getting into the schools and the classrooms are the crux of being a good educational leader. After school is out, is a great time to dig deep and work on longer projects. During a good week, I might even get to go to a high school sporting event or middle or elementary school event. Days are long and busy. It is important to wind down at night, get a little excercise in and a good night sleep.

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

One of the most important lessons I have learned or am constantly reminded of is that people can have all of the same set of facts and come up with very different conclusions based on those facts. It is so important to listen to people's perspective with openness and curiousity. We need to listen for different lenses.

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?

Right now, its The Anxious Generation, by Johnathon Haidt. I have seen the negative impact of phones and social media on our students. It was incredibly heightened by the pandemic. The book was so clear and illustrative of the obstacles our young people are navigating.

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?

You have to love students. All students. Keep reading, keep learning. Things change in education a lot, but what does not change is students need teachers who care, who want them to learn, who are passionate, energetic and will fight for students to get an amazing education.

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

I have so many stories in the last 23 years. When students come back after graduation to tell me how much I helped them with their mental health or to develop a plan after graduation, I feel accomplished.