Name: Catherine Martin

Title: Faculty Mentor

Organisation: University of Southern Maine, Consultant Winfield Children's House

Educator and registered nurse, professionally involved in Education field for over thirty years

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

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

Cheers,

Jonno White

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

I have found it most challenging in my educational leadership experience to introduce and sup[port new and innovating approaches to situations that have been handled the same way over time even if unsuccessful. Change is very difficult to embrace and often outside even our professional comfort zones, so we tend to resort to a familiar approach that wee may be more comfortable with. Just open discussions to brain storm many ideas can be challenging and uncomfortable and also carry the need to revise and customize. However, introducing this type of approach can free our minds to think differently about familiar problems and be more creative in trying to solve them.

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

I became a leader in the field from the ground up, starting as a new professional and working in the field. I came from another discipline as well, the medical field, so I already had experience in working settings, leading teams, and making group decisions. I was passionate about my work, and respectful of my peers and hearing them share their experiences with me. I remember practicing listening more than speaking, and trying to always use active listening so I could really attend to the messages I was receivi9ng. Sometimes I would have to research about what I may have learned so I could comprehend a situation, especially if new to my own thinking.

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

My work days start around 6am, as I arise and prepare to walk my dog, and then feed her. I enjoy fresh coffee I have made while my dog eats. I then sit down to enjoy some time to read through massages, emails and news. After doing any responses I need to address, I shower and prepare for the day; one more dog trip before either start traveling and doing a school visit, or do computer document that is necessary. Lunch can be on the road if needed. Afternoon time might include another school visit or additional computer work. Late afternoon, I again attend to my dog, feeding and walking. I also may do additi0onal walks with a friend. On my off days, I usually visit my gym, or do my stationary bike. Evenings are spent with a partner or friend; one last dog trip before quiet professional or personal reading or streaming time, and then off to bed.

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

I continue to learn that is okay to admit you don 't know the answer, or that some things are just hard to hear, and in that case, you need time to re-act and respond. Some times its hard to express a response but there is great value in being honest and humble in your reactions and responses.

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?

I am a Montessori trained educator, and I continue to re-visit her writing which is now quite old but still insightful and inspiring to me, as I try to apply her messages to my current work.

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?

I would say say try every day to be fresh and renew your passion for what you do, what you will encounter, and remind yourself why you are in your field. It's okay to say you don't know; it's okay to be humble; it always takes respect and kindness in all you do.

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

Some of my most joyful experiences have been working with new teachers who are passionate about their work and can express their love and respect to their student populations. I have also had many experiences working with parents that have evolved over time, and that all parties have learned from, and have been enriched by.