The Scarlet A Is Real

The Scarlet A Is Real

“… she perchance underwent an agony from every footstep of those that thronged to see her, as if her heart had been flung in the street for them all to spurn and trample upon.” – The Scarlet Letter

      We have been told, warned, and told again that administration is the loneliest of professions. I’m here to tell you, it’s true… but it doesn’t have to be. As soon as you step in the door as an administrator you are already perceived as being an “other” a “them” before you even get a chance to smile. Teachers no longer talk to you just to get to know you, they talk to you to judge whether you will make it or not.
      As an Assistant Principal you are constantly under a microscope, your every move is watched and it can get in your head. You are left asking questions like “Did I do that right? Was I too hard on the kid? Was I too soft on the kid? Did I maintain that relationship with the teacher? What should I have done differently?” and unfortunately, you really have no one to talk these questions through. Sure you can journal and contemplate, but sometimes you really need to hash this thinking out in a non-judgmental zone.
      The great thing is, we have each other. I never knew how important the friendships I have made in our cohort were until I put on my Scarlet A and became an “Other”. I realize now that we have to stick together as we each crossover. Especially after April when we no longer have classes to attend where we can naturally let it all out. I look forward to maintaining these friendships and see us grow and become the leaders we were trained to be.