Name: Dr. Matthew Younghans

Title: Principal, Little Tor Elementary School

Organisation: Clarkstown CSD

Dr. Matthew Younghans has been in public education for 18 years. He was served as an Elementary Classroom Teacher in New York City and a Reading Specialist at the Middle School Level. Matt also served as a Dean of Students at Felix Festa Middle School, an Assistant Principal at Clarkstown High School South, and is currently the Principal of Little Tor Elementary School in New City, New York. Matt was named the 2023 New York State SAANYS/NAESP Principal of the Year and was also named a 2023 National Distinguished Principal.

Matt was Awarded the 2018 United Way of Rockland County Living United Award, and was selected to the 2017 Inaugural Class of SUNY New Paltz 40 Under Forty. Lastly, Matt was elected to 2017 Class of ASCD Emerging Leaders and was named the 2016 New York State NASSP/SAANYS New York State Assistant Principal of the Year for his work at the High School level.

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

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

Cheers,

Jonno White

1. What have you found most challenging as a leader?

The most challenging part of being a leader is managing time and resources to do things well. Oftentimes, there are so many initiatives and managerial tasks to complete and doing these things well takes a tremendous amount of focus and effort. I have found it challenging yet rewarding to be able to manage my time and efforts strategically to be able to complete my work, be knowledgeable about all of the initiatives in my building and district, and still have time to enjoy all of the positive things that go on with students and in schools on a daily basis.

2. How did you become a leader? Can you please briefly tell the story?

I have always had the skills to be a leader. In my younger years, this manifested on my athletic teams and in extracurricular organizations I associated with. I am organized, have a strong work ethic, and can listen and speak confidently and articulately. When I became a teacher, my then-supervisor encouraged me to take administrative coursework and to become a building/district leader because she felt I had the skills to do so.

From there, I completed my coursework and had a yearning for more. I became an Assistant Principal, and really enjoyed having more of an impact and influence on students and their school experiences. I continued my coursework and received my Doctorate while becoming a Principal mid-way through my program.

I have enjoyed being a leader in my life and appreciate the empowerment it gives me to be part of student's lives and the responsibility I have to ensure that we are doing the best we can as a staff and school building everyday.

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

I am on the move from the time I wake up until the time I go to sleep each night. I like to exercise and work out in the morning on most days and feel it motivates me and sets the tone for my day. I then shift to family and making sure myself and my family get to school and are prepared for a great day. Once arriving at school, each day is different.

It can consist of attend meetings on important topics among my supervisors and/or colleagues, as well as meeting with teachers and parents as needed. I support our staff with curriculum trainings and professional development and take part in that work as a learner. I love to visit classrooms as much as possible and work with students, see their work, prompt them, and celebrate their successes.

I also manage student behaviors and provide supports with our school team as necessary. While my days are always different, there is no lack of excitement, challenge, and joy each day.

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

I'd like to take a different approach here. A recent leadership lesson I've learned is to make sure I step back and enjoy my life; my family, my children, and create a work life balance that is manageable and successful both professionally and at home. I recently saw a quote that read, "The only people who will remember you worked 100 hours per week are your children," and that very much resonated with me. I strive to be the best I can be while providing for my family, and sometimes need to be reminded of things like this to balance myself personally.

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

The book that has had the most profound impact on my life is the book "Extreme Ownership: How US Navy Seals Lead and Win" by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin. This is a book that is structured by combat lessons learned by our military leaders, and then how it applies to the workplace, in all facets and capacities regardless of industry.

I found this book particularly gratifying because it taught me that, as a leader, you have to have ownership of everything that exists within your responsibility. The book has impacted my leadership in a mindset shift; I now think of how I could have handled things differently, learn more from experiences, rather than look to outside people or impacts that could have influenced something that goes wrong.

6. If you could only give one piece of advice to a young leader, what would you say to them?

My advice would be to build trust and your credibility. Work hard and earn people's trust by being truthful and following through with what is needed. Also, partner with an experienced, successful leader and learn from them. Doing all of these things are great steps and valuable steps to becoming a great, experienced leader yourself.

7. What is one meaningful story that comes to mind from your time as a leader, so far?

One of my most meaningful moments was during a time of loss for our school community. It was meaningful in a sense that our community needed guidance and information from me, and I needed their support to manage the same loss. It was a sad yet powerful time to reflect on, as I could feel the support and trust of my students, staff, and parents as we navgiated the difficuly situation together. That inspired me to want to do more and to be the best I can when these situations arise.