Stepping into a new superintendent role is no small feat, especially when it involves uprooting your family and immersing them in a new community. As my family and I set off on our journey to explore our new surroundings, little did we know that a simple lunch outing would serve as a crash course in the realities of life under public scrutiny.
The Situation: Life in the Local Deli and the Public Eye
My children were less than thrilled we were moving, with one anticipating a senior year of high school and the other right in the middle of middle school. On this day, we visited their schools, met the principals, toured the area, and started house shopping. By the time we got to lunch, everyone was tired and a bit testy.
My younger son was complaining and quickly had a complete meltdown as we entered the local deli for lunch. The place was packed, and like many small towns, you were immediately recognized as someone not from the area as soon as you walked in the door.
Through my clenched smile, I moved closely to his face and said, “Everyone in this place is watching us right now, and you need to stop and decide what you want to eat.” He started to protest when I suddenly heard from across the room, “Hey! Aren’t you the new superintendent?”
I turned around with my pasted-on smile and said, “Yes, I am!” Just as I said it, I looked to my right, and in the newspaper stand just outside the window, our family’s picture was plastered across the front page. My children saw it at about the same time, and we all got a huge reality check on what living in the fishbowl of public service would be like.
We got our food and found a table, but by that point, I could hardly eat because of the pit in my stomach, wondering what I had done.
Decisions: Moves and Public Service
Deciding to serve in public education, no matter the role, means we all serve the public. Whether you’re a teacher spotted at the local mall, a principal working out, or the superintendent at an event, public scrutiny is real. It can be disconcerting when you have some of those first experiences of feeling like you’re on display. When your family is part of the picture, that adds new complexities.
Moving is also challenging, and when we take a new position that requires a location change, that’s also very difficult for everyone. Finding new places to shop, locating a new church, and establishing new healthcare and service providers are only a few things that must be done, not to mention a whole new place to live.
Teachable Moments: Preparing Yourself and Your Family for Public Life
My family got used to knowing what was expected when we were in public, and I reminded my children that eyes were on us differently than many other families. Yet, I also tried to shield them from some of the pressures of having a parent in the public eye. When I visited their schools, I never approached them and let them come to me if they were comfortable. When kids came to our house, I tried to stay in “mom” mode and not talk about school. When I attended their events, I tried to blend in with the other parents and not be “positionally” noticed as much as possible.
Quick Takeaways:
- The Fishbowl Effect: Whether we want to think so or not, public service usually means we are held to a higher standard, and we must always be aware that people will notice our presence and activities.
- No Surprises: Whenever you are out and about for personal or professional reasons, always be ready to be approached by those who may want to talk with you.
- Cordial and Careful: It’s always good to respond kindly and interact on a personal level. You should also be ready to redirect or shorten a conversation if someone is monopolizing it.
- Expect and Don’t Stress: We must be mindful of what it means to be a public figure, but we also have to live life. Don’t be so distracted and worried that you don’t enjoy the events you attend, the times with your children and family, and the great privilege of serving so many people! If you screw up, dust off and get ready to go again!
Share Your Experiences: Let’s Learn Together
And now, I invite you to share your “You Can’t Make It Up” moments about living in the public eye. What challenges have you faced, and what lessons have you learned? When did you first feel the eyes of the world upon you?
Drop me an email at Jane@youcantmakeitupeducation.com and share your experience!
By coming together and embracing these experiences, we can collectively navigate the unpredictable nature of education and public service. Forward this link to a friend so they can subscribe! Click HERE if you’re that friend!
Stay tuned for more stories, insights, and opportunities to learn from the absurdity of our shared experiences. Welcome to the ongoing journey of “You Can’t Make It Up Education”—where the stories are real, the lessons are shared, and the support is unwavering.
Throughout my educational career, I have worked for and with several individuals who were in educational leadership positions. There is a difference between working for and working with someone. The ones I respect the most are the ones I worked with who shared a common belief system of being a servant leader. For the ones I worked for it was a struggle almost daily.
I had two quotes in my office that I read almost daily. When you are in the public eye, you need to find something that keeps you grounded and focused.
One was Teddy Roosevelt’s “Man in the Arena” Speech.
“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”
The second was from Viktor E. Frankl, “Man’s Search for Meaning.”
“Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.”
When you are in an educational leadership position, you must remember that you are never off duty. You are held to a higher standard. Accepting that your chances for longevity in the educational arena will be enhanced.
I love those thoughts, Jim! The “Man in the Arena” speech is one of the best, and keeps us all going! It’s not easy to be in there, but it’s better when we’re in there with others who care just as much!