Stress Management for School Administrators
A Survival Guide
by
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This book brings to light the fact that being a school administrator can be stressful yet fulfilling. To demonstrate how administrative stress impacts individual’s health, harms school culture, impedes student achievement, and hampers teacher performance, the book takes you on a narrative tour of a typical day at Manchester Elementary. Stroll with the author as she spends a day with principal Ogilvy’s leadership team and is astounded by the daily rigors and stress which they endure, and in some cases unknowingly create.
Manchester Elementary, located in a major metropolitan area, was built in 1976 to accommodate 500 K-8 students. With the rapid growth in surrounding areas, the school was obligated to accommodate a diverse population of 840. Such advancement necessitated an increase in administrative, teaching, and building maintenance staff. Mr. Ogilvy joined the staff in 2004, and would become the 5th principal since the school’s inception. He did not take kindly to being transferred from a school where he was principal for 9 years however, once he was assured that his secretary would be able to transfer along with him, he gladly accepted.
Mr. Bishop and Ms Noodle, assistant principals, joined Ogilvy in 2005 after he requested that the district office replace the assistant principals and media specialist he inherited. His complain was that they did not share his vision for the school and were undermining his goals. He was unsuccessful at having the media specialist removed as she had high credibility in the district, worked at the school for almost 30 years, and was a community activist who reminded everyone that should she be forced from the school, an explanation would have to be given to the local politicians. The school district did not believe that Ms Shepherd was worth the trouble. Ogilvy survived her daily complains to the PTO/
Although Bishop and Noodle shared Ogilvy’s vision, they were noticeably displeased with each other’s leadership style. The disharmonious relationship proved to be extremely stressful for the team, and it further impacted all aspects of the school. Ogilvy complained of immense stress which he feared would lead him to early retirement; Stress drove Bishop to extreme aggression and defensiveness; and Noodle was known for experiencing daily panic attacks. Eventually the school district got wind of the situation and intervened; demanding that the administrative team enroll in a comprehensive stress management program. They unenthusiastically enrolled thinking that the program consisted of meditation, revelations of their feelings about each other, and as Bishop described it ‘touchy-feely’ stuff. They were in for an enlightening surprise.
The stress management facilitator, Mr. Walker, proved to be very knowledgeable and in tune with the obscure underlying causes of administrative stress which abound at the school. The program was based on Spark’s (1983) recommended holistic approach to dealing with stress. In so doing, the workshop brought the team together thereby reducing isolation as administrators shared and brainstormed stress-coping strategies and techniques; participated in activities designed to encourage self-awareness as participants examined the basis of their beliefs and restored perspective and balance; and ultimately used a problem-focused approach in which action plans were drawn to identify the next step.
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About the Book
...Join the author on this narrative and inspiring tour of principal Ogilvy's daily encounter with stress. His assistants, Ms Noodle and Mr Bishop, are astounded by the daily rigors and stress which they also endure mainly as a result of Ogilvy's leadership style, and in some cases situations that they unknowingly create.
Their ability to lead was challenged by daily encounters with a faculty that was resistant to change. In response to a growing number of complaints from staff, parents, and at times the leadership team, the assistant superintendent finally scheduled stress management training for Ogilvy and his assistants. Ogilvy's leadership team was not pleased. Their perception of stress management training as being a 'touchy-feely' session was quickly changed when they met a facilitator who led them through a path of self discovery and awareness which forever changed the manner in which they led. They gained knowledge of stressors which resided in the school's culture; theoretical and practical approaches to addressing these stressors; and learned coping strategies which guided them in leading change in a dynamic manner.
Eventually Manchester Elementary transformed into being a healthy learning environment conducive to student achievement, and a place that the entire faculty and staff enjoyed working.
About the Author
Dr Thompson is an adjunct professor, instructional specialist, and education consultant. She received her B.Sc from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, M.Sc from Nova SouthEastern University in Florida, and her Ph.D in Leadership and Administration from Barry University in Florida.
She is director and founder of the Educators/Teacher Stress Institute located in Maryland, and author of Stress Management for Teachers and Understanding Teacher Stress in Light of Educational Reform.
Dr. Thompson conducts professional development workshops on topics such as identifying and managing stressors in the school environment;
transforming a stressful school environment into a healthy learning environment conducive to student achievement; and
leading change in a stress free manner.
Her commitment to education and more specifically, school improvement and professional development, is commendable. Her competence, compassion, and ethics are exemplary, and she has more than proven her ability to lead.