Her Story
About ReNah
My typical day as an elementary principal involves a wide variety of responsibilities. I conduct teacher observations and provide feedback on instruction, meet with parents, and attend individual education meetings for special education students. I work directly with students when there are behavioral needs - right now, I have two students that meet with me in the morning for soft landing. I oversee our professional learning community process and collaboration times, attend teacher planning meetings and administrative leadership meetings, and meet with my admin assistants. When classes, recesses, or lunch need to be covered, I step in to help. I also coordinate staff appreciation events, work with the PTO parent organization, and send out information to families. Additionally, I work with the university to coordinate student teachers and methods placements, since we have the university right here and always have university students in our building working with teachers. I also oversee the building budget. No two days are the same in this role.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with ReNah
01What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
I don't have specific advice I've received, but the advice I would give is to never think you know everything. Always be learning and looking to grow, because the world of education is constantly changing, and the students are changing, and their needs are changing. We have to be willing to look outside the box and know that we're not always going to have the answers.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would say to stay strong. Stand by what you believe in, and don't let men intimidate you. As women, we are expected to be kind and nurturing, and so when we're direct in our work, we get looked at negatively, but that's how men lead. It's not a fair evaluation to expect us to be one way and them another. Stand your ground, lead with empathy, and don't let men intimidate you.
03What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Loyalty and trust are my most important values.
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