Name: Jennifer Connolly

Title: Principal

Organisation: Preston High School

Jennifer has worked at Preston High School for 20 years. While she now is the Principal, she has also served as the chair of the History Department as well as a history teacher for classes in Economics & Government, Introduction to Law, Global Studies, U.S. History & Government, including Advanced Placement United States History, and an honors level interdisciplinary course which she created that studies Race, Class and Gender in the United States. Jennifer was also the Founding Director of the Preston Scholars Program, a service-oriented honors program for 10th, 11th and 12th graders, which requires students to perform in and out of the classroom while making sure that they are both challenged and supported.

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

I hope Jennifer'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, it seems like I’m navigating some common yet significant challenges. Time management is definitely one of the most difficult aspects of the role. Balancing between administrative tasks and making time to engage with students, staff, and the broader school community is a constant struggle.

My desire to be visible in the hallways, classrooms, and at school events is hard to do while also addressing the numerous tasks that pile up in my office. The challenge of accepting that I can't fix everything, especially when it comes to external factors impacting students, is particularly poignant.

While we can create an optimal learning environment within the school, I’m still faced with the realities that students bring with them from outside the school. This balance of providing the best possible educational experience while acknowledging the limits of our influence can be emotionally taxing.

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

I never planned on becoming a teacher, let alone a principal. I always enjoyed History and majored in it in college. Once I graduated, I was unsure of what I wanted to do and struggled to find a job. Then I found out that my high school was hiring a History teacher, so I applied. I left teaching for a few years to get my JD and NYS law license and then returned back to teaching at the same school.

Over the years I became Assistant Dean for Student Life, Director of the Preston Scholars Program, and Department Chair. I was very happy with the courses that I created and was teaching when the principal announced her retirement, and several people encouraged me to apply.

I had witnessed what happens when people who do not have institutional knowledge and do not care about the charism and the legacy of the school get leadership positions, and I didn’t want that to happen to Preston, so I applied and was appointed to the position.

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

The short answer is not as well as I should! I wake up and as I get ready to go to work I start answering emails. I am lucky enough to have a 4-minute commute, so I am at work quickly and jump right in. There are weekly, monthly, and quarterly meetings that are consistently on my calendar, and then my day fills up with talking with students, faculty, and parents; walking around the school; researching new laws, requirements, resources, and trends in education; answering emails and phone calls, and meeting with various staff members.

We rotate who stays late to close, and we often have evening events and games that I attend. I check my email when I’m home, but I try to put my electronics away by 9 pm and relax.

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

I have recently been reminded that I don’t have to do it all by myself. I had a family emergency that kept me out of the office for a few days and kept my focus off of school. Everything went well, because I have a great team, and they are willing to pick up more work when needed. We are supportive of each other and understand that we each have a life outside of this job, and sometimes we have to put that first.

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?

It might sound odd for a leader, but remember I am a History teacher at heart, so the book I often refer to is 110 Rules of Civility because it reminds me how to treat people with respect and to act in a way that is not defensive and leaves an example for others to follow.

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?

Be the best teacher, colleague, and employee that you can be. What does that look like? Be a lifelong learner- take PDs to grow your content and pedagogical knowledge. Put away your phone and be present in the school- stand in the hallways in between classes, pop into events and games, even if just for 5 minutes. Use your prep time efficiently, and try to bring less work home. If you’re bringing a problem to administration, try to bring some ideas for solutions, as well. Be supportive of students, families, and colleagues.

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

When I became principal, the faculty and staff morale was at a low point. We had seen a lot of changeover in administrators, and many of those new leaders didn’t take the time to get to know the school or the community before they began to institute changes. Some of the changes impacted the very essence of the community and the school’s charism. People felt undervalued and disrespected.

My admin team worked to change that, by having an open door policy, working with teachers as they needed it, and providing time for people to come together and have fun- we did escape rooms, yoga and mindfulness, and 13 days til Christmas surprises leading up to Christmas break. The difference in morale and in school spirit was amazing!