Chara Pace

I attribute my success to having model leaders whose shoulders I have been able to stand on. The leaders that have groomed me to become the leader that I am today, my bosses, every leader that I have had has really taught me invaluable lessons that have shaped pretty much who I've become. I'm talking about lessons from different aspects of leadership, so I definitely could not have been as successful as I've been, or even just have learned as much as I've learned without the leaders that I've been able to work under. I try to make sure that they know how much I appreciate them, and how much they've poured into me, and the impact that they've made.

The best career advice that I've received as a leader is just to make sure that at the end of the day, that you've done what's right for students. I hear that because a lot of times there are so many political factors involved in education, outside influences that can alter decisions, but at the end of the day, make sure that your decision is centered around your students and your stakeholders, your parents and your staff. Remember the why.

I would definitely tell them to commit to it if it's something that's in their heart. Don't get into the profession because it may be an easy profession to get into, or because it's just a job. Make sure that if you're in education, that you love growing, supporting, and teaching children. It's not just a job, it's really hard work. It's easy to get into education, and people get into it because that's their last option, and then it's not a good decision. It's not even good for them mentally and emotionally because it's not what they want to do. You have to know that education is in you, and you know if it's not. So don't get into it unless you know that that's what you really want to do, that your heart is in it, to help teach and grow others. And if you know it's not for you, it's okay to back out of it. Do not stay in there, because it's certainly detrimental to our students.

One of the biggest challenges is trying to do a lot with a little. There are a lot of expectations, and sometimes the expectations are not aligned with resources that are needed. Overall, it's trying to impact or influence things that are beyond our control. One of my biggest challenges as a leader, as a principal, is attendance, trying to make sure that I'm doing everything I can to emphasize the importance of attendance to parents and getting students to school on a consistent basis so that they're able to learn and grow and meet their goals. Just overall, the limitations, the barriers, trying to overcome barriers that can prevent our students from getting where they need to go.

Trust, being trustworthy, being dependable, and commitment are most important to me. Commitment is huge to me, just being able to say what you're doing and doing what you're saying. I value commitment and I value trust, because I think that's what gets you where you need to go. If you're committed to it, and your actions are aligned with what you say you're going to do, that's what matters.