The Principals’ Secretary: The Roots of Growth for the School and its Leaders

Seven years ago, I stepped foot into my office as the Assistant Principal of a sixth and seventh grade middle school of 800 students. Moving from my third grade classroom to the main office was a hard transition because for the past eight years, I was only responsible for the 20 to 30 students within my own classroom. I went from a world of teaching, assessing, grading and lunch counts to School Improvement Plans, state assessments, district initiatives and free and reduced lunch data (to name a few). I would not have made this transition in a positive way, if it wasn’t for my secretary Teri. Teri is a phenomenal woman and someone who will forever have a special place in my heart. One of the reasons I am in the place I am today and gained success is due to the work Teri did every day and her mindset to make sure that the school and I were the best we could be. 

Two years ago, Teri retired from our school district and even though I am happy for her, we lost a huge part of our family. The five years I was able to have Teri by my side showed me what attributes are needed in a principal’s secretary in order to help keep a continual mindset of growth and achievement. I have thought really hard on all the amazing qualities my secretary had and have broken them down into three main “roots.” I believe these are most needed for growth in a principals’ leadership and the school as a whole. If you are the secretary of an assistant principal, or any principal for that matter, ensure you are bringing 100 percent in these three areas and I guarantee you, your school and your principal will find greater success.

Root One: Empathy and Care
As you know, being a secretary makes you the first face and voice someone sees or hears when they call or come into the school or the main office. The school secretary is your stakeholder’s true litmus test of the school culture and climate, as well as a reflection of the school principals’ vision, beliefs and leadership. As a school principal, it is my job to show empathy and care to every single student, parent, teacher, staff member and member of the community. It is my job to make everyone feel as though they are the most important person at that given time. The same goes for the school secretaries.

That is what was so amazing about Teri. When a student came in with a question, needed to use the phone or had a bloody nose, she never made them feel they were bothering her, but instead gave them the attention they deserved and showed them she was there to help. It was the same for parents, guest and our staff; Teri always went out of her way to let them know they were part of our community and it was her privilege to help and assist them. Along with showing empathy and care to the school, Teri was always there for me. She was always checking on me to make sure I had everything I needed to be successful. From asking me if there was anything she could take off my plate, to putting out “fires” that she could handle without me. There was never a day Teri didn’t ask me how I was feeling or give me an encouraging word. She believed her job was to care for others and that is what is needed in a principal’s secretary and what the school needs as it’s first line of communication with all of its stakeholders.

Root Two: Consistent and Resourceful
Being a school leader has changed tremendously over the past 10 years. The role of a principal has morphed from being a “manager” of the school to the “lead learner” of the school. With that change also comes a change in where the principal spends most of their time. For a school leader to make the largest impact they can, they need to spend more time in the classrooms, hallways and cafeteria, which means less time in their office. With this change of scenery for principals, the administrative secretaries are going to see less of their principals and in return will have to be resourceful in the office. 

Like I shared earlier, Teri was amazing at stepping in and putting out fires so I could give my attention to the things that mattered most. From upset students and parents to jammed copiers, she would always step in and do her part to ensure the issues that could be addressed without my immediate attention were handled in a professional way. This consistency and resourcefulness made me feel comfortable with trusting her judgement when issues would arise. At the end of each day she would always come into my office with a list of these “small fires” and let me know which still may need my attention and then would ask if there was anything I felt should have been handled differently.  Teri always wanted to be the best at what she did and was always looking for guidance and feedback so she could be consistent with the vision of the school and its leadership. She was always eager to learn and lead. That mindset is what made her the best of the best.

Root Three: Shared Vision and Belief in Leadership
As a school secretary you can be empathetic and caring, be consistent and resourceful but none of that will matter if you and your principal do not have a shared vision. School principals need someone who not only works alongside them but also believes in the vision and the work their principal does. If you both do not have the same mindset and vision, neither of you will ever reach your fullest potential. I was lucky to have Teri for so many reasons, but the greatest reason was she believed in me and the vision I had for the school. Teri was always there with an open mind and would walk through any fire or storm; she always believed we were going in the right direction. She knew what I was doing was not what was best for myself, but best for the school. She knew that I would do anything for anyone so she was always willing to do anything for me. 

As a school leader, you have to have someone on your side who will represent you and fight for you when the going gets tough. Never once did I doubt Teri and the work she did. I was so blessed to have someone who supported me and had the attributes needed to make our students, parents, staff and school community grow in the way that it did. The transition to any new position is challenging, but even the toughest changes can be less stressful when you have a partner who believes in you. I am so thankful for Teri, and even though she is no longer with me on a daily basis, the confidence and growth I experienced during our time together still pushes me today. 

School secretaries have the hardest and most important job in the school. Without you, the school cannot function at its highest levels. Everything you do, big or small, makes an impact. So today I hope you take every opportunity to change the lives of everyone you encounter in a positive and life changing way. Remember, without you, your principal and school won’t be able to reach their fullest potential, so bring it every day! Speaking for all principals: we appreciate all you do! 

What roots are you using to help the school and your principal grow in the right direction? What are some ways you can make sure you are showing empathy and compassion to all stakeholders? 

Do you believe in the vision of your principal? 

How can you help your principal’s vision or find a belief in it? 

Author Bio:

Roger Gurganus is an assistant principal at Brownstown Middle School, a 6-7th grade building in Brownstown, Michigan. He has a passion for children and education and strives to ensure that every student is connected and feels part of the positive communities he creates. Along with creating a culture of hope and love in his own middle school, Roger also is committed to bringing hope, love, and education to the children of Uganda, where each summer he travels in hope of making a bigger difference in the lives of students who need it the most. Roger believes that teaching is not a job, but a calling and hopes that through his work, lives can be changed, dreams can become reality, and mountains can be moved. Follow his educational and leadership journey on Twitter (@RogerGurganusII), Instagram (@RogerGurganusII), YouTube (@BMSWARRIORS67), and his blog (https://raiseyouranchor.blogspot.com).