Name: Ryan Cordia

Title: Principal

Organisation: Clark County School District

Ryan Cordia is the inaugural principal at Northeast Career and Technical Academy in Las Vegas, Nevada. He has over 15 years of experience in education and believes that each graduate should be set on a path to high-skill work.

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

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

Cheers,

Jonno White

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

I believe education is a human motivation business. As a school principal, I work with a variety of stakeholders, including students, staff, families, and community members. The principal sets vision and policy, but all the stakeholders do the work. The biggest challenge I face is motivating change from stakeholder groups of different generations, lenses, and levels of enthusiasm. Getting the art and science of leadership correct, where change becomes possible, is a daily challenge.

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

Each role in education was my favorite then; looking back, my resume seems logical. However, I assumed each role was where I would retire. I chose education as a college major because I liked my science courses. I enjoyed student teaching, but never thought I would become a teacher. I was hired at a local casino, and after a week of onboarding, I drove to work, ready to start my career. When I parked my car, I could not get myself to open the door. I went against my Midwest instincts, turned the job on the spot, and drove home.

I was lost for a few hours, then the phone rang, and I accepted a long-term substitute position. I loved it and worked full-time as a teacher and athletic coach for seven years. I received my master's degree in leadership for the pay raise, but I never intended to be an administrator. Then, my assistant principal was promoted, and I stepped in to fill the void. I hated it and returned to the classroom and athletic field the year after. Then, I switched schools, and the principal offered me the role of dean. I reluctantly accepted and loved the job of working with kids.

Two years later, I accepted the role of assistant principal and loved getting things done for the boss. Then, the principal left, and I stepped in as principal. I never aspired to be a principal, and after seven years, it is the heaviest and best job to date. I love setting vision and working with all groups. As a teacher, I miss the close connection to kids, but I enjoy working with all students. I also enjoy working with all staff (most days).

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

4:00 am - Journal and coffee 5:00 am - Fitness (Push up/gym/raquetball/yoga/etc) 6:00 am - Carride to work, 45 min, audiobook (leadership) 6:45 am - Check in with Office Manager for sub coverages 7:00 am - On duty welcoming students to school 7:25 am - Admin touch base meeting 7:45 am - Check email for first time 8:00 - 1:45; Walk classrooms, meetings 1:45 pm - Duty to dismiss say goodbye to students 2:00 - 5:00 pm - Meetings and/or managerial clean-up 5:00 pm - Drive home, 45 min audiobook (leadership) 6:00 pm - Home, time with kids, make dinner 8:00 pm - Kids in bed, read until I fall asleep Repeat.

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

Importance of each interaction. As a teacher, I saw students 80-180 times. As a principal, I speak with students and staff 1-10 times per year. Each interaction has an extreme influence on our relationship, trust, and competence. I must give each interaction my full attention, stay positive, and give clear, timely feedback. The moments I get with 100+ people each day have a large influence on our relationship, and I need to slow down and honor them.

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?

SWITCH, Chip and Dan Heath: Ethos, pathos, logos. Motivating change through logic, emotion, or systems. I try to reflect on the best approach with the least effort required to create change in behavior. The wrong approach caused frustration on both sides.

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?

Say "yes" to the opportunity and start reading.

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

I am proud of my transition to a different school as a principal. I worked as a teacher, dean, AP, and principal at the same location and continue to have deep emotional connections to the school and staff. I went through several sleepless weeks and eventually applied to open a new school with a similar model. I accepted the position and said goodbye. My pride comes from turning over the school with my partner, and seeing her take the school to new heights.

I was proud of our work to refine our school, but to my surprise, I have more pride in how much further the school moved after I left. I love the idea that we are links in a chain, and when we build capacity properly, the names on the desk change, but the culture continues. I plan to develop a culture at my new school where I am the first link in a long chain, and our school gets better forever.