Name: Rob Lunak

Title: Superintendent

Organisation: Lutheran Neighborhood Schools

Rob Lunak has served as a teacher, principal, and superintendent. He received his undergraduate from Concordia University Chicago in secondary education and his master's in K-12 administration from the University of Central Missouri. He is currently pursuing his doctorate in education leadership through the University of Arkansas. His experiences in education have encouraged him to look at things differently.

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

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

Cheers,

Jonno White

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

Making education work for everyone in the current form has been challenging. Making sure that school works for everyone introduces a lot of obstacles, and thinking of new ways to teach can help solve some of those problems.

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

I had some wonderful teachers growing up, and I wanted to work in education because of them. That led me to become a teacher and then a principal, and now a superintendent.

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

I plan out my ideal week, but each day is different and sometimes unexpected. The day starts with getting the kids up and ready around 6:30, then getting to school. I listen to an audiobook in the car on my drive-in. When I get to school I'm checking in with teachers to see if they need anything before school starts. Then I greet students and parents as they arrive. After arrival then it's admin tasks, meetings, phone calls, email and the like.

Each day is different. I try to be at school at dismissal if I can. Then I check in with teachers before I leave for the day. I call my wife on the way home, and we talk about our days (she is a teacher, too). When I get home I make dinner, spend time with family, and get the kids ready for bed about an hour after dinner. Some days I have class at night, others I don't. Once the kids are in bed I usually do a bit of work before going to bed around 10 or 11.

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

We're not in the teaching business. We're in the dream business. We don't teach just to teach. We teach so students can do more and reach their goals and dreams. Education is the means, not the ends.

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 Power of Moments has done a lot to change my thinking. Education is a series of moments, and thinking about how to make those special and impactful has changed how I view my role. We had the opportunity to take our students on an out-of-state trip, and instead of saying we couldn't do that, we asked why not. That provided the students with experiences they wouldn't have otherwise.

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?

Being young is a benefit, not a weakness. Your perspective is uniquely your own, and with it will come answers and ideas that others won't have. Experience can sometimes lead us to say no to ideas because we think we know better. Sometimes we do, but sometimes we're wrong. Don't be afraid to try things a different way, and see the world how you see it.

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

We have a student who came to our school behind in some classes. He was labeled a troublemaker at his previous school. Nothing could be further from the truth. He didn't have an opportunity to succeed academically or to be put in a leadership role where he used to be. In our school, he is able to do both of those things, and he is one of our best leaders now because we saw potential in him that others did not.