Relationships at the beginning...Matthew (Matt) Key, Georgia

During the first weeks of school I was always able to witness the beginning development of relationships established with students and parents as their children were dropped off at school. You could see the child’s face light up when they knew that the principal was there to greet them every morning as they got out of their car. Also, I got to sit in on a Parent's Club Meeting with the administration to see how they go about conducting the meeting. At the beginning of the meeting the principal discussed how well the year had started and how proud he was to be back at such a great school. He then proceeded to discuss policies and procedures of the school and he let the parents in attendance know the state of the school. At the end of his talk, he also told the parents that he was there for them and then his main focus was to help out in any way he could to see their child succeed. This helped me gain greater understanding of the value of communication between the administration and the various stakeholders of the school.

My perceptions of the school have not changed, they have been validated. Seeing the time that the administration puts into making sure that everyone feels like they are a part and that they can come to a school were learning takes place and there will be success; proved the importance of great communication that is needed by an administrator.

The one leadership strategy that I observed was transformational. I took great notice in the importance that the administration put into making sure that the communication lines were open and that the stakeholders dealt with on a daily basis felt that they were cared for.

Matthew (Matt) Key, Georgia