An Interview with the Assistant Principal

My interview was with the Navajo Assistant Principal Veda Sinsabaugh.  I used the series of questions outlined by our instructor in her weekly Check-in. I found the interview process very enlightening and learned interesting aspects of her job and the school environment.

Questions will be in bold with the Veda's answers in regular type.

What type of challenges do you face? Mrs. Sinsabaugh explained bench marking and standards can be  a challenge to meet and sustain. She explained support from parents and teachers toward district goals can be a challenge. She also mentioned parents, teachers and administrators working together for the student has it's challenges. 

How do you deal with deadline stress, difficult people and internal politics?

Veda joked she doesn't stress over deadlines but just waits to the last minute and gets her work in. She explained she knows how she operates and gets her work in without feeling pressure.

Veda explained in dealing with difficult people she tries to listen to their concerns. She says people just want to vent sometimes and you have to listen and be sympathetic. She also advised she always seek a win/win solution to problems.  The internal politics is in every job and she deals with it by never lying or talking bad of others. In that way she doesn't have to remember what she may of told this person or that person. What do you dislike about your position? Mrs. Sinsabaugh explained she doesn't dislike anything about her job. When I pressed her on the question and asked how do you like being second banana to the Principal and she said it depends on the Principal. What do you feel you can do to make work go smoother?

Veda advised to keep communication lines open and build a structure of organization for all to follow. She explained to create a guideline that all will follow. Be organized.

How do you feel about working with others? Veda advised she loves working with others and tries hard to get along with everyone. How do you separate the personal from the professional? Veda explained that is hard and hard for her. She was a teacher for a long time and a union rep in her district back east and she understands what teachers face and sympathises with their issues and problems. She also told me stories of kids she had in class and often would feel for their situations and felt the gauntlet of emotions that she took home with her and shared with her husband. She explained it comes with the job and that I should remember I make a difference just by being in class and caring the kid's are learning.

Do you enjoy working on group projects? She admitted she would rather work alone but then clarified that she enjoyed committees and the camaraderie that process holds. She advised she really enjoyed the so called "staff meetings" but times are changing and you don't see that as much. What is your ideal work environment?  Open communication and respect for all parties involved in the educating of children. Honesty and respect for all involved and a willingness of all parties to do what needs to be done even when it is hard. How does your personality help or hinder your communications with others or conflict resolution approaches? She advised me she sees the big picture and she treats others as she wants to be treated.  She told me she is nice to everyone even if she doesn't want to be and she said it's why she is there and in that position. her personality suits the job. How has your education and experience prepared you for your current job? Veda explained her education did not prepare her at all for her position. It was her life experience that prepared her plus the fact she was a mother of  four. She explained being a parent and a working adult is more preparation for some jobs then any schooling.  After whom do you model your work behavior? She models her behavior after her first principal she worked for as a teacher and she says he was a great example on how to treat others.  Who do you most respect? With no hesitation she said her husband.  Have you reached out to mentors and has mentorship system worked for you? Yes; she has been a mentor and her mentor was great help to her. She explained mentors are important if for nothing less then guidance and direction. It 's a person to bounce ideas off of and for someone to give you support when you have a bad day. Emotionally it is a big boost to have someone assist you and be there for you. A good mentor is key for a beginner teacher's success.