By Brady Burnett
Q: What positions in education did you hold prior to being a Vice Prinicipal?
A: "I actually started out as a nanny after college, then I had a job as a Baystate graduate. I later subbed in Chicopee and in Ware. I became an English teacher, which was a position I held for a total of 22 years. During that time, I was also the English Department Supervisor for 16 of those 22 years. Then as of just 4 years ago, I became took the position here at Chicopee High School as Assistant Principal.
Q: What is the biggest challenge you face on a daily basis?
A: "The biggest challenge would be that there is simply not enough time in the day to meet with students and to make the meaningful connections that need to be made. Students have issues, conflicts, and problems with grades. I want to talk to them all and hear them out, but there are only so many hours in the day."
Q: How do you feel about YONDR?
A: "It feels good to support teachers and the classroom environment, and take the battle outside of the classroom. There are battles in the classroom every single day. and if we didn't get the pouches, that would have been one more battle that would have continued in the classroom, and teachers have enough of those battles to fight. Ideally, I'd love it if students could use their phones at lunch, at least.
Q: Do you think YONDR is going to make your job harder or easier?
A: YONDR is definitely going to make my job as Assistant Principal a harder job, The implementation of YONDR means that there is yet another rule to worry about and enforce for the students to be following, and it is hard seeing the social media posts about YONDR, and seeing the parents commenting 'administrators aren't doing their jobs good enough.' It's really difficult hearing and seeing comments like that."
Q: How do you decide what punishments you give to who?
A: "We [administrators] have predetermined consequences, we always meet, and support each other. Mrs. Kruser has been a great mentor, and I have never been alone in making important, consequential decisions".
Q: Have you ever administered a disciplinary consequence that you felt, later on, was too harsh?
A: "No I really don't. Honestly, I always think we collaborate as administrators and we never give out a suspension on the spot. There is always a meeting beforehand. Decisions need approval before they can be administered."
Q: Was your educational goal always to become an administrator?
A: "No, I really wanted to teach. I had administrators who were encouraging. I was always going to be connected with teachers, but it was the connection with students I loved most. Mrs. Kruser used to be an Assistant Principal here at Chicopee High School, so when she became Principal, there was an open position and I decided to go for it.
Q: Were there any people, family, friends who doubted your ability to be an effective administrator?
A: "Never. Thankfully, everyone always encouraged me along the way."
Q: What is your most memorable year at CHS?
A: "My first year at Chicopee High School is my most memorable year here, probably because I worked late and the freshmen were wild. Also, establishing meaningful connections with students that year was particularly tough, so it stands out."
Q: What's the biggest "mistake" you've made in your position?
A: "I haven't really made one, I am actually very shy and don't put myself out there. So I would that, honestly, my introvertedness is my biggest mistake."
Q: How different is your personality outside of school compared to in school?
A: "I live a quiet life, I have a family of five, consisting of three children, my husband and myself. We go to the beach and fish."
Q: What's one moment that made you question your decision to become an administrator?
A: "Not a single one, I love my job".
Q: How do you decide what punishments you give to who?
A: "We have predetermined consequences, we always meet, support each other, Mrs. Kruser has been a great mentor, never been alone in making decisions".
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