When you really sit and think about it, relationships in general can be quite complex. They often ebb and flow, requiring intentional work to keep everything healthy. This is especially true in our roles as administrators. The feeling of wondering if we are doing the right thing or how to build relationships with those to whom we have no personal ties can be challenging.
We believe that trust is foundational! While research suggests trust develops over time, we create intentional opportunities to foster it. For example, our partnership began in our first year (both in new roles) as we aimed for a common vision: to provide a space where educators can thrive and effectively serve our students, academically and socially.
Open and honest communication has been vital for us. It’s essential to have the courage to engage in challenging conversations, as this lays a strong foundation for trust. Additionally, commitment to each other and to our personal families is crucial. We strive to create opportunities for each other to grow and succeed, ensuring that dignity remains intact even in the face of personal and professional challenges. For instance, at times this means that we are not pulling 50/50, and that’s part of being committed to a relationship! We have gone through losses and seasons of change that were challenging emotionally, not to mention the emotional challenges that occur daily when you are running a campus and receiving upwards of 80-100 various adult emotions. Demonstrating we are committed to each other’s mental and physical health strengthens our bond to support each other in the professional setting.
Understanding and appreciating each other’s strengths further enhances our collaboration. We recognize our success is a collective effort not solely dependent on any one individual. This mindset cultivates a supportive environment where we both cheer for one another’s achievements. It also means we respect each other’s role and are cognizant of our own role. While there is overlap in our duties, at the end of the day, we do serve different purposes and carry unique responsibilities.
As we reflect on the relationship between the principal and assistant principal, we encourage you to focus on trust and commitment. Resist the temptation to overthink every move you make and ask yourself if your actions have shown that you are intentionally working on building and strengthening the trust and commitment. When situations are not what you would expect, have the courage to discuss disappointment and/or take ownership and apologize for mistakes. In the words of Harold Ramis, “Nothing reinforces a professional relationship more than enjoying success with someone.”
Dynamic duo and TEPSA members Precious Bale and Julie Armstrong are administrators in Melissa ISD. Precious, a principal, serves as Vice Chair of the Programs and Services Committee, and Julie is an assistant principal.
