Name: Elisabeth Otineru Suafoa

Title: Owner/Director

Organisation: Carousel Montessori Preschool

I grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area. Graduated from California State University, Channel Islands. Wife and mother of four, residing in Oxnard, CA. With a good work friend, we took over our ownership from our employer and started Carousel Montessori Preschool.

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

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

Cheers,

Jonno White

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

As an educational leader, I’ve found maintaining a good team of teachers to be the most challenging. Many larger organizations can offer better benefits or higher salaries that, as a small business owner, I am unable to match.

In addition, not just anyone is able to successfully work with children. I am selective about who I bring into my school, and a fancy degree may not equal a great teacher.

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

I’ve worked with children in an educational setting in many different roles… after-school program, paraeducator, teacher assistant, teacher, etc. While working part-time in a private preschool (the one I now own), I saw that my director/owner was overwhelmed with administrative work. Also, having a background in office/banking, I offered to help. It was not long after that that I was promoted to assistant director and then director.

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

My day begins around 6:30 am. I check messages and emails while getting myself and my kids ready for our days. After getting them off to their own schools, I get to work around 9 am. In a typical day, I leave at 3 pm and round up my kids for their extracurricular activities. I am often in touch with my co-owner/director throughout the afternoon, discussing any issues that may arise. I keep an eye on messages and emails during the evening. By 9 pm, the house is usually quiet and I can do some planning/research ‘work stuff’ as my family refers to it. Bedtime is usually around 11 pm.

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

I remind myself that I cannot do it all. Fortunately, I have a wonderful partner, and we have a very capable staff. I delegate and allow others to help so that I don’t spread myself too thin. Being a mother of 4 (from 3 months to 15 years) is a full-time job in itself, let alone running a business!

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 attended the BEST Arts conference, where one of the speakers shared How Full is Your Bucket by Tom Rath and Mary Reckmeyer. We all loved it, and I immediately ordered copies for our preschool. I soon discovered the adult version of the book, an educator's guide. The books are a great reminder, encouraging kindness and positivity. I strive to bring that to all of my relationships, both in and out of the school setting. I do my best to keep my staff and students' buckets full!

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?

My advice to any educator aspiring to be an educational leader is to always be willing to get your hands dirty! You set the example. Don’t ask your staff to do something you wouldn’t do yourself.

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

The most meaningful story I can think of right now doesn’t involve me directly, but my partner, co-owner/director. One of our teachers had a family emergency and had to take a sudden leave of absence. While it caused hardship at the school, we were more concerned about her and her family’s well-being. Her husband had major surgery one day, and she found herself alone and unprepared at the hospital.

My partner made sure she had the essentials. She went out and bought herself a change of clothes, toiletries, and snacks, taking them to the hospital so that she didn’t have to leave her husband’s side. That’s how we treat our staff, like family. We understand they all have personal lives, and we try to offer support in all ways. This family-like atmosphere carries on into the classroom and throughout our school community. Happy teachers = happy students = happy families. That is one of the many reasons we have so many returning families and referrals.