Dr. Kelsey Vail, Ed.D.

I think I've always been a lifelong learner I've always loved to learn and been hungry for knowledge, wanting to be able to speak intelligently to the things I'm interested in. I get that from my parents, honestly. They were hard workers, and I'm a first-generation college student, so my parents did not go to college, but they worked really hard to get where they were. My dad ended up climbing the ranks and becoming a battalion chief at the fire department, and was acting chief for a little bit before he retired. My mom worked in payroll at a hospital since she was young, up until she just retired recently, working for the same company for decades and just working her butt off, being able to move up the ladder there as well. Their work ethic and dedication really shaped who I am.

See peoples humanity first. It is easy to tell ourselves decisions we make are "just business" and nothing personal, but if it impacts a persons life it is personal. That does not mean we don't deliver the hard news, but we do it in a way that keeps their humanity at the center. We lead with curiosity and we collaborate to find solutions. I also believe it is so important to live within your values and center your own humanity. If something happening in your organization does not align with your values, it is worth speaking up about, remaining curious, and looking for solutions.

Women are the backbone of education. Often, that means education gets put on the back burner or seen as a less than profession. Teaching students to read is a skill and a craft that not just anybody possess or understands. We are shaping the future of our communities, that responsibility is big and the job is too. Do not let anyone tell you "those that can't do, teach". Listen to great educators like Chris Emdin, Lisa Delpit, and Zaretta Hammond. They will tell you that teaching is a sacred art and we are meant to tap into our whole selves in order to give our students the kind of outcomes they deserve.

The biggest challenge as an administrator right now is the pressure to balance it all perfectly. We walk a fine line between empowering teachers and providing the right amount of support, and not every teacher wants the same level of support. Some want more, others want less. It's also meeting students where they are when providing support. We make decisions in the moment and have to ensure those decisions are documented and included in ongoing communication. We want people to be heard, but we must make hard decisions that do not always include the voice of others. The juxtapositions and contradictions weigh heavy on us daily.

My values really align with equity and diversity and championing education for all students, making sure that they have access to all opportunities that any other children do that are in suburbs or in private schools. We want our kids to be able to thrive the same. I really love working with adults and learning from my staff I love to hear all the different ideas and perspectives that they have when it comes to making our school better. Watching teachers grow in their profession has been so rewarding, just knowing that I've been able to help mentor and coach people and give advice and kind of be there as a sounding board for them. That's been a really enriching part of this job.