Name: Christian Arnold

Title: Principal

Organisation: Madawaska Elementary School

Christian Arnold serves as the principal at Madawaska Elementary School in Northern Maine, where she is dedicated to practices that create an inspiring, motivating, and supportive educational environment for the entire school community. From parent communication to gaining community support, she believes the work educators do is truly inspirational.

The lessons and values imparted by educators extend beyond the classroom, influencing families, workplaces, and communities, ultimately shaping the economic fabric of society.

Christian believes education is a multi-faceted field that combines health and wellness, social and emotional, academic, and core value development to prepare individuals for lifelong success. As a leader in education, Christian recognizes the importance of addressing the diverse challenges that exist within the school.

With a positive mindset, she focuses on unique skills and expertise within the staff in order to collaboratively build the capacity of the team. By fostering collaborative environments where educators can work together, we strengthen the overall capacity of the school. Christian aims to empower educators within the school to continue to grow in the field. She encourages the community to engage in the learning process with us in order to shape the future of education, not just in Madawaska but across Maine and ultimately the entire nation.

Christian believes that a child's education is influenced, not simply by the school, but by the environment they are exposed to. Her mission in educational leadership centers on empowering educators to allow students to take initiative in their learning. She believes teachers and the community work together in supporting students' success in lifelong achievements.

She envisions that, at the end of her educational journey, she will have contributed to transformative educational movements that support academic innovations, whole-child development, and ethical decision-making in the field of educational leadership. Christian aims to inspire lasting change in the profession by first supporting educator growth and second influencing policy and practices that prioritize lifelong student success and well-being.

The practices we put into place today, do not only impact today's students but also set the stage for further practices down the road.

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

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

Cheers,

Jonno White

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

Addressing diverse student needs requires vigilance and advocacy. It is a team approach, and that in itself can be challenging to orchestrate.

Education policies are always changing and often require quick adaptation and a forward-thinking approach. Modifications to school practices and procedures often follow, requiring us to change something we've been comfortable with for some time.

Therefore, it is important to establish and maintain strong relationships with staff, families, and stakeholders where consistent communication is required for trust to build.

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

As a young educator, I aspired to be in leadership roles. As a committee president, engaged in professional development, and sought-after roles, I was passionate about. However, I was cautious of the timeline where leadership progressed. I believe experience is the most valuable piece of becoming an effective leader, and I did not want to jump into educational leadership without ample experience. I actually left the classroom for a bit to support our family business and to pursue a business venture on my own. This was a new and challenging opportunity I am grateful for.

I only returned full-time to education when moving to Maine. That move propelled me to fully invest my motivation in school leadership where I eventually became principal at Madawaska Elementary. Through experience in the classroom, engagement in community organizations, building a successful business, and focusing on my life purpose, I believe I am exactly where I am meant to be.

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

I wake up promptly at 4:00 am to pack lunches and grab a cup of coffee. I ride my Peloton from 4:30-5:00 and proceed to get ready for the day. I leave the house no later than 6:00 am to make it to school just before 7:00. I communicate with the school secretary about the day's events, check my emails, and meet with staff prior to students arriving at 7:30. I greet students at the door and motivate individual students in their personal goals. By 8:15, I am in the classroom.

I get some work time sprinkled in throughout the day between student and staff meetings, student discipline incidents, teacher requests, lunch duties, and filling in during a teacher's absence. I stay after school to meet with teachers, take part in student clubs, or dive into administrative duties. I leave the school by 5:00, spend time with my husband and family before dinner at 7:00, and the house is quiet by 8:00 pm.

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

I am reminded, as an educational leader the importance of supporting the teachers. Support does not mean to side with a teacher when they've made a mistake, but support them through the process.

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?

The Mastermind, by Daniel Bauer. This book teaches us the importance of professional collaboration and self-care. It prompted me to revisit my core values and beliefs and how that impacts the work I do. It motivated me to share that practice with my staff and to revisit our core beliefs throughout the year. I have a belief statement posted on my wall. "I believe in the limitless potential of each individual within this school community." My positive self-talk mantra is, "They don't know what they don't know, but I can help them understand."

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?

Stay true to yourself and your core values. Be transparent in the work you do. Share with others.

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

1. The first time a parent thanked me for the work I was doing. This came after a long year of working hard to rebuild their trust and respect.

2. I will always remember the first time I needed help from my superintendent. I typically like to tackle challenges on my own so that I learn from them, so I don't ask for help often. However, I truly felt unsafe in a situation, and he did not hesitate to be present.