Twitter Chat Recap: Principals and Personal Wellness

Communicator
October 2017, Volume 41, Issue 2

Juggling work and personal life can be difficult in any profession. For a principal, the stress and pressures of impacting an entire school can become overwhelming. In appreciation of National Principals Month, NAESP, National Association of Secondary School Principals, and American Federation of School Administrators hosted a joint Twitter chat on principals and personal wellness which was moderated by Julie Hasson and Missy Lennard of Purposeful Principals.

The recent Twitter chat addressed common stressors for education leaders, as well as provided recommendations for balancing the principalship and personal life. Here are five wellness take-a-ways to help you become a healthy school leader.

1. Exercise to stay physically and mentally fit

A1 I need to have the energy to keep up with the daily grind. I find i have to be intentional about staying fit #ThankAPrincipal
— David Johnson (@DragonTamerAP) October 12, 2017

If we want to best serve our students, staff & families we must take care of ourselves (physically & emotionally). It’s about balance, perspective & sustainability! #thankaprincipal
— Dr. Tony Sinanis (@TonySinanis) October 12, 2017

A1 You can’t pour from an empty vessel. As educators we are required to do that daily for the young ppl serve. #ThankAPrincipal
— Raymond D. Roy-Pace (@Ray_RP) October 12, 2017

2. Model your work-life balance to help nurture your staff

A2: I try to model leaving to be w/family, encourage Ts, have to work for balance #ThankAPrincipal
— Liz Garden (@PrincipalGarden) October 12, 2017

A2 #ThankAPrincipal my health and wellness impacts our team and they care because they’ve asked me to join staff Yoga with them! I’m excited
— Dave Ferguson (@RHS_VAPrincipal) October 12, 2017

3. Manage and make time for self-care

A5) I schedule walks, massages, gym time, cooking into my calendar, If they’re not scheduled, best intentions slip away. #ThankAPrincipal https://t.co/DuILje3lbr
— Mark French (@PrincipalFrench) October 12, 2017

A4: Phones stay down on week nights from 4:30-7:30 (most of time) and start early to be productive and leave early(ish) #ThankAPrincipal
— Joe Sellenheim (@MrJSellen) October 12, 2017

A5: Each morning I capture three things for which I am grateful in my journal. Rewiring my brain for positive. #ThankAPrincipal
— Dan Butler (@danpbutler) October 12, 2017

4. New principals should nurture a supportive network

Q6 Trust ur gut, find an experienced teacher, who loves S, and check in with them once in a while. Ask: How am I doing? #ThankAPrincipal https://t.co/d2S424ifg8
— Harvey Alvy (@HarveyAlvy1) October 12, 2017

A6- Find a supportive PLN- in your district and far beyond. They will widen your perspective and provide encouragement #ThankAPrincipal
— Julie Bloss (@BlossJulie) October 12, 2017

5. Make a commitment to achieve self-care

#Thankaprincipal A7) I’ve taken email off my phone and that is even helping me sleep better. I also try to read for fun every night b4 bed!
— Jenny Nauman (@PrincipalNauman) October 12, 2017

A7: I’m willing to commit to using my vacation days each year to force some down time. #ThankAPrincipal
— Jim Hirz (@Jim_Hirz) October 12, 2017

A7 I’m committing to no school work after 9:00 on school nights, and having movie night once a week, at least. #ThankAPrincipal https://t.co/rL56yKynId
— Jay Posick (@posickj) October 12, 2017

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