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awhile to find solutions, but I would like to share with
you some that have worked for me.
I was lucky enough to be able to work in the same
district that my children attended. While this can have
some disadvantages it definitely offers the advantage
of attending games and concerts as both a parent
and as a school administrator.
A practice my wife Linda and I started later in our
marriage was the concept of a “date night.” The
communities I worked in did not allow school activities
on Wednesdays because of church and family
activities. Thus, Linda and I would make Wednesdays
our “date night.” This was time for us to spend quality
time together. Recently I was mentoring a
superintendent and offered this as a possible solution
to his perceived lack of family time. He started this
practice and found it extremely valuable family time.
Technology has become so important in our roles
as school administrators that we let it dominate our
lives. How many times do you check your phone
when you should be spending quality time with your
family or friends? Put the phone down and listen and
talk to family and friends. The superintendent I
mentioned in the preceding paragraph started a
practice of putting his cell phone in his bedroom when
he got home. He would only check it occasionally and
this led to much better discussions with his wife and
children.
Another superintendent (who, by the way, is very
tech savvy) told me how he handled this constant flow
of communication via technology. When he arrived
home he did not check email until he returned to work
either the next day or after the weekend. He did keep
his personal cell phone with him and his top staff
knew this number and how to contact him in an
emergency.
You need to take care of self if you want to serve
others. Start making plans to eat healthy, exercise at
least 30 minutes five days per week, spend special
uninterrupted time with family members on a daily
basis, visit with friends on a regular basis and keep
proper perspective of whatever faith you believe. The
school district that you serve now will quickly forget
the service you have provided them, but your health,
family, friends and faith will be with you until the end.
(Continued from page 20)
IASA Associate Director for Professional Development Dr. Richard Voltz addresses the New
Superintendents’ Conference
